Colin Powell Pretends He's Still A Republican

Colin Powell was on tv today claiming that he hasn't left the GOP. Here are a couple of his comments.

"Rush will not get his wish and Mr. Cheney was misinformed. I am still a Republican," Powell said, noting that he "voted solidly for Republican candidates" for president for 20 years, spent 10 years of his life serving in Republican administrations and spoke at two GOP conventions.

That's great. We already know he was a Republican.

"You know, neither (Cheney) nor Rush Limbaugh are members of the membership committee of the Republican Party. I get to make my decision on that," Powell said. "And so I will continue to work in a way that I think is helpful to the country and helpful to the party."

Sure, no one can physically expel him from the party. He's free to retain his Republican registration and vote Democratic, other than in restricted primaries. No doubt it's real helpful to the party to have prominent members supporting Democrats for president. Most people Republicans don't think backing Democrats is beneficial to the country-- otherwise we'd just join the Democratic party.

He said the reason he endorsed Barack Obama for president last fall -- a decision that prompted a wave of conservative discontent with Powell -- was he believed Obama was "best-qualified" to lead.

Yeah right. In what universe is Obama better qualified than John McCain? There's all kinds of reasons Powell could have given for supporting Obama, but that's the best he can come up with? And if you are the type of person who simply chooses to support whoever you think is the best person regardless of party, what does that make you? That's right, an independent.  

Colin Powell wants to have it both ways. He wants to support Obama and his policies, criticize the GOP constantly, and yet still claim he's a Republican. What are the chances that Powell will support the GOP nominee in 2012? I'm guessing slim to none. He should have the decency to change his registration to independent or Democrat, and stop calling himself a Republican. I agree with his comments that the GOP should be a big tent, moderate and inclusive. But that message is meaningless & counterproductive coming from Powell. All it does is cause the party base to ask -- rightly -- why they should listen to someone who supports Obama. If Powell actually wanted to help the GOP he'd shut up and keep a low profile.