How did Colin Powell get respected?

[jpgray]

It's one of the world's great mysteries to me.

[mjb4]

1. Pres Carter promoted him

from there it went with the promotion

[Skittles]

2. I don't have a f***ing clue

some DUers even STILL think he's got some integrity. He doesn't, people. He's a certified BUSH WHORE and a COMPLETE DISGRACE just like the rest of BUSH INC.

[enough]

3. Local report.

I live in a very Republican area and I know a lot of Repubs who are involved in local land preservation issues. These well meaning, well-heeled white Republicans absolutely LOVE Colin Powell. They speak his name with a reverence they do not have for Chimpy.

It think they love him because it makes them feel better about themselves. Partly it's at the level of: we are open minded people, we are not racists. There is something about the way they talk about him that seems to be some kind of code. (This is in the context that our area is also home to many many openly racist, poor white Republicans.) These upper-middle-class republicans are embarrassed by the more far-out right-wing elements of their own party, and their Powell-love is a way for them to identify with something else, but still stay true to the party.

They think he's a "moderate." Totally irrational.

[JaySherman]

4. Beats me.

There was a time when people were actually talking about him for president :crazy:

[Qutzupalotl]

5. Gulf War I

is all I can think of.

I'm sure the top brass appreciated his My Lai efforts.

(Heck, even W is trying some of that "me lie" stuff himself!)

[revcarol]

6. The My Lai stuff didn't come out much until he started to be so obvious

boot-licking. Respected as a general, an obvious black, but now that we're finding out how much we didn't know about Gulf I, even his respect from Gulf I is going away.