I can't think of many times in my life that someone's words took my breath away. But today's announcement by Colin Powell that he was endorsing, and would vote for Barack Obama was one of those moments. I was watching Meet the Press, pacing (as I usually do while watching the Sunday Morning talk shows...), and as each sentence flowed out of Powell's mouth, I found myself more and more amazed. Amazed at his systematic dismatling of the entire McCain campaign, its tactics, the Republican Party (whatever's left of it), and the direction of the Country over the past 8 years.
The dagger in the heart to McCain on this is NOT the mere fact that Powell endorsed Obama. That is a sin that could be forgiven. The "stinging rebuke" of the campaign McCain has run, the criticism of McCain's choice of Palin as running mate, how McCain handled himself during the Market Meltdown, and the idea that this Republican party no longer represents the ideals that once made them a party which controlled all three branches of Government. That's the point of pain for the McCain camp. It was the party of Reagan, the Party of Gingrich, combined with the Party of Bush, Baker and Skowcroft. This party has fractured.
The amazing thing is that it took Colin Powell to finally come out and say it. "The Emperor has no clothes" "The Party has lost its way".
Sadly, I have since seen two prominent Conservative Media members come out with two very conflicting viewpoints on this.
David Brooks asked the best question of his party, later on this morning's Meet the Press--"Why is our Party Narrowing?" David is one who has what I can only assume is the Self-confidence to ask tough questions to himself and his party about their overall message, tone, ideas, leadership and positions.
Pat Buchanan went on Matthews' show this evening and, in my opinion, insinuated that the Powell decision was based primarily on race, and that was obvious by Powell's reference to Michelle Bachman's overtures to the media to research Congressional representatives as to "who was pro or anti-american?".
Pat seems to have missed the first 7 minutes of reasons why Powell has decided to endorse Obama. But his response smacks of McCarthyism, and shows exactly why the Republican party's doctrine of division, antagonism, and "playing to the base" have created a scared party--scared to lose--and it is lashing out in all directions, looking for a winning message to hold onto power. Not to move the country forward, but to hold onto power. Everyone saw what the McCain campaign has been doing. No one had been able to say, in 18 months of campaigning, what Colin Powell said in about 20 minutes this Sunday Morning.
"The Republicans have no clothes..."
Sunday, October 19, 2008
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1 comments:
I agree that the Republican party seems to have lost its way but couldn't you say the same about the Democrats as well. Just a couple of months ago, there was a question about whether the Democratic party would survive the Hillary/Obama showdown. I think Hillary and supporters are just keeping quiet in case she gets the chance to run again in 4 years. Otherwise....
What the focus should be on is Washington's growing disconnection with reality and what it is like to live, work and raise a family in the real world. With that said what I would like in a president is someone who is in touch with the reality of most middleclass American families (which I think is where Palin has had appeal...as sad as it is to say!!)but ALSO someone who can be a leader and make tough decisions when they need to be made. While I admire his oration and his ability to inspire, I am fearful that Obama, out of his desire to be inclusive and tolerant, would not take a tough position if he needed to...a confrontation with Iran, N. Korea, Taliban, etc. is probably unavoidable over the next 4 years.
That's my 2 cents for the day!
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