Its not the Powell endorsement that has the Repigs panicking. Its the other stuff he said

[NNN0LHI]

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2008/10/why_the_powell.html

October 19, 2008

Why The Powell Endorsement Matters

Political endorsements matter in as much as they become a multi-day story. And Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama had the potential to be a reliable two-day story for the Democrat, a plus, of course, given that there are just 16 days remaining in the contest. But Powell went several steps further than a simple endorsement, and in so doing he not only conveyed to Obama his valued seal of approval as one of the nation's most respected military and foreign policy minds, he picked apart John McCain's case for his candidacy and denounced the Republican nominee's approach to winning the presidential contest.

Here's how:

-- He affirmed the Obama campaign line that McCain has been erratic in his response to the nation's economic crisis.

Powell: "In the case of Mr. McCain, I found that he was a little unsure as to deal with the economic problems that we were having and almost every day there was a different approach to the problem. And that concerned me, sensing that he didn't have a complete grasp of the economic problems that we had."

-- He said the American people aren't interested in negative politics, and he questioned McCain's use of Bill Ayers and related robocalls.

Powell: "And I've also been disappointed, frankly, by some of the approaches that Senator McCain has taken recently, or his campaign ads, on issues that are not really central to the problems that the American people are worried about. This Bill Ayers situation that's been going on for weeks became something of a central point of the campaign. But Mr. McCain says that he's a washed-out terrorist. Well, then, why do we keep talking about him? And why do we have these robocalls going on around the country trying to suggest that, because of this very, very limited relationship that Senator Obama has had with Mr. Ayers, somehow, Mr. Obama is tainted. What they're trying to connect him to is some kind of terrorist feelings. And I think that's inappropriate. Now, I understand what politics is all about. I know how you can go after one another, and that's good. But I think this goes too far. And I think it has made the McCain campaign look a little narrow. It's not what the American people are looking for. And I look at these kinds of approaches to the campaign and they trouble me." snip

There is nothing McCain can say or do to diminish the power of Powell's words without knocking the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs. And that would only prove Powell's point, wouldn't it?

[pepperbear]

1. AND he asked:

what's wrong with a Muslim child dreaming of becoming president?

[no limit]

14. When he talked about the muslim soldier that was dead was the most powerful

in my opinion.

[roamer65]

2. Powell's had enough of the Rethug party.

I heard his statements on NPR. He basically gave the "kiss-off" to the Rethugs. He's done with them. Part of this is payback, but he's right-on with his comments.

[NNN0LHI]

4. And he was on McCains short list for VP

[patrice]

3. He aslo said America does not belong solely to so-called "Christians" and Intolerance

against Muslims is WRONG, bad for America.

[poverlay]

5. I was a bit nervy waiting for the Powell interview, but it couldn't have turned out better. Powell

just proved his integrity and bitch-slapped all we most despise in the bigoted, hatemongering, republican party.

[hiphopnation]

6. HE'S AN INTERNATIONAL WAR CRIMINAL AND AN INTERNATIONAL PARIAH

OBAMA DOESN'T NEED THIS ENDORSEMENT OR FOR POWELL TO CALL ANY OF THIS TO LIGHT ON NATIONAL TELEVISION! HE CAN WIN WITHOUT IT








/reactionary du pundit nonsense




GOBAMA!!

[quiet.american]

7. Sorry -- couldn't hear you? :) nt

[salinen]

10. I'm with you

He's a million innocent people murderer.

[hiphopnation]

11. i was being sarcastic n/t

[Lifelong Protester]

8. I am listening to it now, in the background here,

and I wholeheartedly agree with you. Powell, a man who was used by the Bushco Cartel, is still and all a smart man, and capable of thoughtful introspection (something that a lot of Repubs are incapable of). His words carry weight, and I thing it is a great thing for the Obama campaign, not just his endorsement, but of all of the other points he made. Well done.

[Odin2005]

9. Powell just redeemed himself in my eyes.

[bkkyosemite]

12. I'm listening to him again. He really gave it not only to the McCain campaign but his own party.

He said some heavy stuff about the Republican Party things others would not have had to guts to say. I give him kudo's for those statements.

[madokie]

13. correct