Laughing at Colin Powell

Colin Powell spoke out in favor of the proposed mosque near Ground Zero. I know, what a surprise. But here's what he said,

"The terrorists win if we become terrified and . . . change who we are and what we are," Powell said, as he argued that it is crucial for Americans to remain true to the values that set the country apart from the rest of the world.

Two posts ago I mentioned how liberals like to lecture Americans with exactly this sort of argument, and here's former Republican Colin Powell to provide a handy example. And without appearing to have the slightest clue that he's contradicting himself, he then said this.

Powell also addressed Florida pastor Terry Jones' plans to burn copies of the Koran on Saturday and warned that Jones' plans could put American troops in harm's way. "If we let Islamophobia go across this country, we put General Petraeus in a very, very bad situation,"

Colin Powell is apparently "terrified" of one man burning a Koran. Now it's ok to be afraid and to put aside our values. Leaving aside that "Islamophobia" is a made-up term used primarily to silence any criticism of Islam, one radical, religious nutcase does not indicate anything going "across this country." Powell's comments deserve nothing but derisive laughter.

Colin Powell -- Still Shilling for Obama

Former prominent Republican Colin Powell appeared on Face the Nation today, and continued shilling for Obama, as he did during the campaign. He said he had , "no regrets" about voting for Obama, claimed the president has "done some things that help the country a great deal," and made the amazing statement that "our financial situation is secure now." What country is he living in? Our financial situation is about as insecure as possible, without actually being bankrupt. 

As usual, Powell had only the most mild of criticism for Obama, and rejected Republican attacks on the president. Back in May I wrote a post called, "Colin Powell Pretends He's Still A Republican." Everything I wrote there applies today.

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. ... If Powell actually wanted to help the GOP he'd shut up and keep a low profile.

It's pretty clear that Powell no longer has any interest in supporting the GOP. If he did, he wouldn't be on tv giving Obama political cover on multiple issues. Regardless of what he chooses to call himself, or his nominal party affiliation, Colin Powell is now an independent for all intents and purposes. And he's a committed Obama supporter, even after a year of the Obama presidency.  He no longer has a shred of credibility as a Republican.

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.

Republicans Tend to Support Republicans

Unless you are Colin Powell.  Speaking last night, Powell said,

"Rush Limbaugh says, 'Get out of the Republican Party.' Dick Cheney says, 'He's already out.' I may be out of their version of the Republican Party, but there's another version of the Republican Party waiting to emerge once again," Powell told the crowd.

I hate to tell Colin Powell, but "their version" of the party is the actual Republican party. I guess the imaginary version "waiting to emerge" is the one where prominent party members endorse liberal Democrats for president, and then support them over their own party.

Colin Powell planted a knife the back of the GOP by publicly throwing his support behind Barack Obama. Yet somehow Cheney and Limbaugh are the bad guys for pointing that out. And it wasn't just during the election. Here was Powell referring to the president,

Obama [is]"a transformational figure" who "brings a fresh set of eyes, a fresh set of ideas" at a time the nation urgently needs them. "He has met the standard of being president," he said.

Yeah, Powell really sounds like a Republican doesn't he? Here's a little tip for the general. If you want to been seen as a Republican, how about working within the party, supporting GOP policies, and dropping the sycophantic Obama worship? The reason other Republicans no longer see you as a Republican, is because you voluntarily abandoned the party at its worst hour to join the other side.

RINOs

Cheney's comment about Powell brought to mind some thoughts about the term Republican In Name Only. Moderate Republicans who differ from the party base, particularly on social issues such as abortion, gay marriage, immigration and others are often called RINOs. But many of these so-called RINOs actually support the party. They vote regularly for Republican candidates, even though they may disagree with them on various issues, and they generally back the party against Democrats. If they criticize the GOP, it's because they want to move it in a direction closer to their own views -- just as hardcore conservatives want a return to more conservative roots.  If conservatives want to call those Republicans moderates, or even liberals, that might be a fair label -- depending on the individual involved. It's possible to be a liberal Republican.  Someone with more liberal views who votes Republican doesn't stop being a a member of the GOP. Unlike what the conservative base seems to think, conservative does not equal Republican. People who vote Republican are not RINOs.

But what about a prominent lifelong Republican who served multiple Republican administrations, who then publicly refuses to support the GOP presidential nominee? Not only does he refuse, but he openly throws his support to one of the most liberal Democratic candidates that's ever been up for election. Colin Powell is the true definition of a RINO. No one should be surprised to see that pointed out.

Cheney on Powell

Dick Cheney refuses to take my advice and keeps going on talk shows. I hate defending him, but people are jumping on a remark he made about Colin Powell.

"Well if I had to choose in terms of being a Republican, I’d go with Rush Limbaugh," Cheney told moderator Bob Schieffer. "My take on it was Colin had already left the party -- I didn't know he was still a Republican."

A somewhat taken-aback Schieffer asked: "You think he's not a Republican?"

Politico describes this as "an extraordinary public swipe at Colin Powell." That just ridiculous. Colin Powell took an "extraordinary swipe" at Republicans when he endorsed a liberal Democrat for president. There's nothing unusual at all about Cheney saying he didn't know Powell was still a Republican. What evidence is there that he is? He voted Democratic, and has had nothing but criticism for the GOP since. Has he had a single word to say in opposition to Obama's agenda?

As for Cheney's comparison between Powell & Rush Limbaugh, Cheney is correct. I don't like Limbaugh, but there's no question he's a Republican. Powell appears to be a Democrat who hasn't gotten around to changing his registration yet.