It is no secret that both presidential candidates, Senators Obama and McCain have been courting for General Colin Powell’s seal of approval. He has the political gravitas of a highly regarded statesman.
General Colin Powell is one of the most respected voices from both sides of the aisle, in America and around the world. He is a senior statesman whose vast and long-standing experience in the military, on national security and foreign policies has commanded the American public respect and admiration for several decades. His popularity is currently rated in the 80’s by Gallup poll.
On NBC ‘Meet The Press’, General Powell talks about his concerns and the issues that compel him to choose Senator Obama over Senator McCain, a friend of 25 years. Obviously, this decision does not come lightly to General Powell. He expresses his regret to Senator McCain, but apparently, his love for America far outweighs personal friendship. Even as recent as on 9/20/08, General Powell said at the time that he did not have a clear choice between Senators McCain and Obama.
General Powell candidly talks about spending several months analyzing both candidates’ positions and intellectual abilities on a plethora of issues ranging from education, the economy, socio-cultural direction of American society, their choices of running mates, and the direction of American foreign policies.
General Powell reviewed the tone of each candidate’s campaigning style. He had serious concerns about and differences with the tone of the McCain-Palin campaigning styles, and the divisive comments made by senior members of the Republican Party.
He thoughtfully discussed his disappointments about Senator McCain’s beliefs and actions. He was particularly troubled by senior members of the Republican Party who portrayed ethnic and faith differences as somehow being un-American. His point was that Muslim Americans are just as patriotic as other Americans. Powell cited in a photo essay of Americans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, a photograph of a mother at Arlington National Cemetery rested her head on her son’s tombstone. On the headstone, there was a crescent and a star of Islam along with a name, Karim Rashad Sultan Khan, Cpl. US Army 2/12/1987 - 8/6/2007 Iraq Operation Freedom.
The point is General Powell’s substantive concerns are not that different than most Americans, the economy, financial crises, education, domestic policies, socio-political issues, race relation, and significantly, the direction of American foreign policies and her position in world politics. He even talks about McCain’s choice of running mate whom he described as being completely unqualified.
He emphasizes the importance of a president who will restore the confidence of all Americans, reach across the political aisle to solve America’s problems, and convey a new image to the world. General Powell sees all these qualities and more, in Senator Barack Obama as a president who will work to change for the betterment of America. He concludes that Senator Obama will be in a position as president to transform the socio-cultural and political landscape of America.
There's no telling how General Colin Powell’s endorsement of Senator Obama for president will influence voters across the country, but one thing for certain, General Powell is a well known patriot, a senior statesman who has served under several United States presidents, and he also differs with Barack Obama on the Iraq war.
Lastly, I’d like to offer my observation as an average American. At the risk of seeming self-promotional, but my blog has previously criticized the Republican Party and McCain-Pain toxic campaign tactics for sowing seeds of intolerance and hate. My concerns are not at all unique or special, and that most Americans also share these concerns as we vote on or before 11/4/08 for the 44th president of the United States of America.
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