Senior Republican endorses Obama

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**MeanGreenStompa**

Colin Powell has announced his backing of the President for a second election term.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell broke with the Republican party during the 2008 election, to endorse then-candidate Barack Obama for president, calling Obama a "transformational figure."

With 12 days to go before the presidential election, Powell publicly endorsed President Obama for re-election on "CBS This Morning" Thursday

"I voted for him in 2008 and I plan to stick with him in 2012 and I'll be voting for he and for Vice President Joe Biden next month."

Powell explained his choice to Charlie Rose and Norah O'Donnell:

When he took over, the country was in very very difficult straits. We were in the one of the worst recessions we had seen in recent times, close to a depression. The fiscal system was collapsing. Wall Street was in chaos, we had 800,000 jobs lost in that first month of the Obama administration and unemployment peaked a few months later at 10 percent. So we were in real trouble. The auto industry was collapsing, the housing was start[ing] to collapse and we were in very difficult straits. And I saw over the next several years, stabilization come back in the financial community, housing is now starting to pick up after four years, it's starting to pick up. Consumer confidence is rising."

Summarizing the past four years under Obama, Powell said "Generally we've come out of the dive and we're starting to gain altitude." He acknowledged that problems remain, saying "The unemployment rate is too high, people are still hurting in housing but I see that we're starting to rise up."

Turning to foreign policy, Powell said he saw "the president get us of one war, start to get us out of a second war and did not get us into any new wars. And finally I think that the actions he has taken with respect to protecting us from terrorism have been very very solid. And so, I think we ought to keep on the track that we are on."

Powell expressed his concern about Republican candidate Mitt Romney's changing positions on international affairs. "The governor who was saying things at the debate on Monday night ... was saying things that were quite different from what he said earlier. I'm not quite sure which Gov. Romney we would be getting with respect to foreign policy."

"One day he has a certain strong view about staying in Afghanistan but then on Monday night he agrees with the withdrawal, same thing in Iraq. On almost every issue that was discussed on Monday night, Governor Romney agreed with the President with some nuances. But this is quite a different set of foreign policy views than he had earlier in the campaign. And my concern ... is that sometimes I don't sense that he has thought through these issues as thoroughly as he should have."

Powell also said that he has given close consideration to Romney's domestic policies. "As I listen to what his proposals are especially with respect to dealing with respect to our most significant issue, the economy, it's essentially let's cut taxes and compensate for that with other things but that compensation does not cover all of the cuts intended or the new expenses associated with defense."

Powell said that he did not give either candidate early notice of his endorsement, but that he has "the utmost respect for" and spoke to Gov. Romney several weeks ago, and speaks to President Obama regularly.
He added that with this endorsement, he "signed on for a long patrol with President Obama" and that he feels more comfortable with Obama's stances on climate change, immigration, and education.

Powell also criticized congressional leaders for not living up to their responsibilities, mainly around resolving the approaching fiscal cliff.

"The major problem faced either by Gov. Romney or President Obama, whoever wins the election, is going to be what to do about the fiscal cliff we're about to fly over," Powell said.

"This is something that was put in place by Congress and while we're talking about the two candidates for president let's not forget that Congress bears a lot of responsibility for many of the problems that we have now. They're the ones that write the appropriations bills. They're the ones that pass the legislation for more spending and for the various entitlement programs that people have trouble with."

Gen. Powell last joined "CBS This Morning" in June, and at the time remained noncommittal about his support for either candidate in the race for the White House. "Whatever judgement I have right now would be incomplete. I haven't seen everything that Mitt Romney is going to do. I haven't seen how our economy is going to play out," he said in June.

And, despite his endorsement of a Democratic candidate in two presidential elections, Powell says he remains a Republican. "I think I'm a Republican of a more moderate mold," he said before adding, "That's something of a dying breed I'm sorry to say."

**KalashnikovMarine**

I'd like to endorse Colin Powell for president instead.

**AustonT**

I think most people really expected it at one time and I think if he had run he would have gotten a landslide vote. But if you were GEN Powell wouldn't the Bush administration have ruined it for you too?

**Frazzled**

MeanGreenStompa wrote:
Colin Powell has announced his backing of the President for a second election term.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell broke with the Republican party during the 2008 election, to endorse then-candidate Barack Obama for president, calling Obama a "transformational figure."

With 12 days to go before the presidential election, Powell publicly endorsed President Obama for re-election on "CBS This Morning" Thursday

"I voted for him in 2008 and I plan to stick with him in 2012 and I'll be voting for he and for Vice President Joe Biden next month."

Powell explained his choice to Charlie Rose and Norah O'Donnell:

When he took over, the country was in very very difficult straits. We were in the one of the worst recessions we had seen in recent times, close to a depression. The fiscal system was collapsing. Wall Street was in chaos, we had 800,000 jobs lost in that first month of the Obama administration and unemployment peaked a few months later at 10 percent. So we were in real trouble. The auto industry was collapsing, the housing was start[ing] to collapse and we were in very difficult straits. And I saw over the next several years, stabilization come back in the financial community, housing is now starting to pick up after four years, it's starting to pick up. Consumer confidence is rising."

Summarizing the past four years under Obama, Powell said "Generally we've come out of the dive and we're starting to gain altitude." He acknowledged that problems remain, saying "The unemployment rate is too high, people are still hurting in housing but I see that we're starting to rise up."

Turning to foreign policy, Powell said he saw "the president get us of one war, start to get us out of a second war and did not get us into any new wars. And finally I think that the actions he has taken with respect to protecting us from terrorism have been very very solid. And so, I think we ought to keep on the track that we are on."

Powell expressed his concern about Republican candidate Mitt Romney's changing positions on international affairs. "The governor who was saying things at the debate on Monday night ... was saying things that were quite different from what he said earlier. I'm not quite sure which Gov. Romney we would be getting with respect to foreign policy."

"One day he has a certain strong view about staying in Afghanistan but then on Monday night he agrees with the withdrawal, same thing in Iraq. On almost every issue that was discussed on Monday night, Governor Romney agreed with the President with some nuances. But this is quite a different set of foreign policy views than he had earlier in the campaign. And my concern ... is that sometimes I don't sense that he has thought through these issues as thoroughly as he should have."

Powell also said that he has given close consideration to Romney's domestic policies. "As I listen to what his proposals are especially with respect to dealing with respect to our most significant issue, the economy, it's essentially let's cut taxes and compensate for that with other things but that compensation does not cover all of the cuts intended or the new expenses associated with defense."

Powell said that he did not give either candidate early notice of his endorsement, but that he has "the utmost respect for" and spoke to Gov. Romney several weeks ago, and speaks to President Obama regularly.
He added that with this endorsement, he "signed on for a long patrol with President Obama" and that he feels more comfortable with Obama's stances on climate change, immigration, and education.

Powell also criticized congressional leaders for not living up to their responsibilities, mainly around resolving the approaching fiscal cliff.

"The major problem faced either by Gov. Romney or President Obama, whoever wins the election, is going to be what to do about the fiscal cliff we're about to fly over," Powell said.

"This is something that was put in place by Congress and while we're talking about the two candidates for president let's not forget that Congress bears a lot of responsibility for many of the problems that we have now. They're the ones that write the appropriations bills. They're the ones that pass the legislation for more spending and for the various entitlement programs that people have trouble with."

Gen. Powell last joined "CBS This Morning" in June, and at the time remained noncommittal about his support for either candidate in the race for the White House. "Whatever judgement I have right now would be incomplete. I haven't seen everything that Mitt Romney is going to do. I haven't seen how our economy is going to play out," he said in June.

And, despite his endorsement of a Democratic candidate in two presidential elections, Powell says he remains a Republican. "I think I'm a Republican of a more moderate mold," he said before adding, "That's something of a dying breed I'm sorry to say."

Colin Powell is not a Republican.
Colin Powell endorsed Obama in 2008.

**LordofHats**

Um, yeah, he is. Not a Republican politician per se mind you, but he is a registered member of the Republican Party.

**Frazzled**

LordofHats wrote:
Um, yeah, he is. Not a Republican politician per se mind you, but he is a registered member of the Republican Party.

In some ancient time he may have been a registered republican, like when he worked for Bush Sr., but when you publicly endorse the opposing party you're no longer a member of the other party.

**LordofHats**

You'd actually propose its impossible for a member of one party to endorse a member of another?

That's kind of, odd...

I mean, registered Republicans vote Democrat, and vice versa, every election.

**labmouse42**

Frazzled wrote:
Colin Powell is not a Republican.
Colin Powell endorsed Obama in 2008.

So anyone who endorsed Obama in 2008 is not a Republican.
You might want to ask Colin Powell what he is registered as before you make that assertion.

Frazzled wrote:
In some ancient time he may have been a registered republican, like when he worked for Bush Sr., but when you publicly endorse the opposing party you're no longer a member of the other party.

Luckily, your not in charge of the party and don't have veto rights on who to include or exclude.
Political parties don't grow in strength through exclusion.

**dogma**

Frazzled wrote:

Colin Powell is not a Republican.
Colin Powell endorsed Obama in 2008.

Wait, what?

Explain how Colin Powell's endorsement of Obama makes him "not a Republican."

**streamdragon**

I find it hilarious to think that Teddy Roosevelt would not be considered a republican by today's standards.

Shows how digustingly far my party has fallen ;_;

**dogma**

Frazzled wrote:

In some ancient time he may have been a registered republican, like when he worked for Bush Sr., but when you publicly endorse the opposing party you're no longer a member of the other party.

Wow.

I'm glad that Frazzled is deeply committed to bipartisanship.

**AustonT**

streamdragon wrote:I find it hilarious to think that Teddy Roosevelt would not be considered a republican by today's standards.

Shows how digustingly far my party has fallen ;_;

Really? I mean it shouldn't come as a shock that the guy tha forms the "Progressive Party" doesn't fit the conservative party mold...

**labmouse42**

streamdragon wrote:
I find it hilarious to think that Teddy Roosevelt would not be considered a republican by today's standards.

Shows how digustingly far my party has fallen ;_;

Heck, even Regan would be considered to liberal for today's Republican party.

**streamdragon**

AustonT wrote:
streamdragon wrote:I find it hilarious to think that Teddy Roosevelt would not be considered a republican by today's standards.

Shows how digustingly far my party has fallen ;_;

Really? I mean it shouldn't come as a shock that the guy tha forms the "Progressive Party" doesn't fit the conservative party mold...

I didn't say it was shocking, merely that it was hilarious (in that 'laugh until you cry' way) that a man considered one of, if not THE best president in US history would basically be kicked out of the Republican party. It's sad.

I think we need one of the 'RINO' (good lord I want to punch everyone that uses that term, myself included right there) Republicans to form a new Bull Moose party. Also grow a mustache or beard, since apparently Taft was the last sitting president with facial hair...

labmouse42 wrote:
streamdragon wrote:
I find it hilarious to think that Teddy Roosevelt would not be considered a republican by today's standards.

Shows how digustingly far my party has fallen ;_;
Heck, even Regan would be considered to liberal for today's Republican party.

It really is sad. You have a very vocal group that is just dragging the party down down down while the moderate members of the Republican party watch and shake their heads.

**Frazzled**

LordofHats wrote:
You'd actually propose its impossible for a member of one party to endorse a member of another?

That's kind of, odd...

I mean, registered Republicans vote Democrat, and vice versa, every election.

Any prominent member of one party voting and endorsing an opposing party member for the most powerful position in the land - yep they are no longer a member of that party.

Thats why I am an independent. A pox on all their houses.

**AustonT**

Reagan is a lot of the reason that vocal group came into power.

**Frazzled**

dogma wrote:
Frazzled wrote:

Colin Powell is not a Republican.
Colin Powell endorsed Obama in 2008.

Wait, what?

Explain how Colin Powell's endorsement of Obama makes him "not a Republican."

HE endorsed the enemy to the most powerful position in the land. He is personan nongrata in the Republican party. Sorry. Thats life.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

streamdragon wrote:
I find it hilarious to think that Teddy Roosevelt would not be considered a republican by today's standards.

Shows how digustingly far my party has fallen ;_;

I didn't know Teddy Roosevelty endorsed Barack Obama. Did they use a clairvoyant?

**streamdragon**

Frazzled wrote:

streamdragon wrote:
I find it hilarious to think that Teddy Roosevelt would not be considered a republican by today's standards.

Shows how digustingly far my party has fallen ;_;

I didn't know Teddy Roosevelty endorsed Barack Obama. Did they use a clairvoyant?

Did I say Roosevelt endorsed Obama? I don't think I did. Yup, just re-read my post, and it's still not there.

Perhaps you were thinking "by today's standards" actually meant "by frazz's standards today"?

**Frazzled**

streamdragon wrote:
Frazzled wrote:

streamdragon wrote:
I find it hilarious to think that Teddy Roosevelt would not be considered a republican by today's standards.

Shows how digustingly far my party has fallen ;_;

I didn't know Teddy Roosevelty endorsed Barack Obama. Did they use a clairvoyant?

Did I say Roosevelt endorsed Obama? I don't think I did. Yup, just re-read my post, and it's still not there.

Perhaps you were thinking "by today's standards" actually meant "by frazz's standards today"?

Then maybe it would be better to actually tie your statement to something to do with the thread othe than blowing smoke out your ass, no?

**labmouse42**

AustonT wrote:
Reagan is a lot of the reason that vocal group came into power.

That is very true AustonT. A lot of the Regan support came from getting church pastors to mobilize their congression to get out and vote.

The problem is these voters then began pushing their religious beliefs onto their politicians -- and have continued to do so until today.

**Frazzled**

labmouse42 wrote:
AustonT wrote:
Reagan is a lot of the reason that vocal group came into power.
That is very true AustonT. A lot of the Regan support came from getting church pastors to mobilize their congression to get out and vote.

The problem is these voters then began pushing their religious beliefs onto their politicians -- and have continued to do so until today.

Who the hell is this 'Regan' you keep referring to?

**dogma**

Frazzled wrote:

HE endorsed the enemy to the most powerful position in the land. He is personan nongrata in the Republican party. Sorry. Thats life.

And this is exactly why you're part of the political problem, particularly because you scream, at the top of your girlish lungs, "Bipartisanship."

**Frazzled**

dogma wrote:
Frazzled wrote:

HE endorsed the enemy to the most powerful position in the land. He is personan nongrata in the Republican party. Sorry. Thats life.

And this is exactly why you're part of the political problem, particularly because you scream, at the top of your girlish lungs, "Bipartisanship."

I never scream bipartisanship. Its a zero sum game. Break out the knives and lets do this thing.

**streamdragon**

Frazzled wrote:
streamdragon wrote:
Frazzled wrote:

streamdragon wrote:
I find it hilarious to think that Teddy Roosevelt would not be considered a republican by today's standards.

Shows how digustingly far my party has fallen ;_;

I didn't know Teddy Roosevelty endorsed Barack Obama. Did they use a clairvoyant?

Did I say Roosevelt endorsed Obama? I don't think I did. Yup, just re-read my post, and it's still not there.

Perhaps you were thinking "by today's standards" actually meant "by frazz's standards today"?

Then maybe it would be better to actually tie your statement to something to do with the thread othe than blowing smoke out your ass, no?

Considering this is a thread in which you decry a standing Republican for essentially "not being republican", I would say I have. Teddy did things during his republican presidency that would have current pubs rushing to call him RINO. Hell, he didn't just vote for the democrat when Taft was up for reelection, Teddy RAN AGAINST HIM.

But please, keep lecturing me on keeping things on-topic Frazz, it's hilarious from you.

**Frazzled**

streamdragon wrote:
Frazzled wrote:
streamdragon wrote:
Frazzled wrote:

streamdragon wrote:
I find it hilarious to think that Teddy Roosevelt would not be considered a republican by today's standards.

Shows how digustingly far my party has fallen ;_;

I didn't know Teddy Roosevelty endorsed Barack Obama. Did they use a clairvoyant?

Did I say Roosevelt endorsed Obama? I don't think I did. Yup, just re-read my post, and it's still not there.

Perhaps you were thinking "by today's standards" actually meant "by frazz's standards today"?

Then maybe it would be better to actually tie your statement to something to do with the thread othe than blowing smoke out your ass, no?

Considering this is a thread in which you decry a standing Republican for essentially "not being republican", I would say I have. Teddy did things during his republican presidency that would have current pubs rushing to call him RINO. Hell, he didn't just vote for the democrat when Taft was up for reelection, Teddy RAN AGAINST HIM.

But please, keep lecturing me on keeping things on-topic Frazz, it's hilarious from you.

Which affirms that he wasn't a Republican. He joined a completely separate party.

**streamdragon**

Technically, he founded the Bull Moose party, not joined it. Which, let's be honest, has a much cooler mascot than either of our two current parties.

Edit: And he only created it after losing the Republican primary to Taft. (Because what party is going to remove the sitting president?)

**Orlanth**

Frazzled wrote:
LordofHats wrote:
Um, yeah, he is. Not a Republican politician per se mind you, but he is a registered member of the Republican Party.

In some ancient time he may have been a registered republican, like when he worked for Bush Sr., but when you publicly endorse the opposing party you're no longer a member of the other party.

Frazzie has it right there. Powell 'crossed the floor' as we say in Blighty. He would have been a Republican changing his vote in 2008, which would be newsworthy, but in 2012 he is just another Democrat.

**mattyrm**

More good news for me, i've got a few hundred quid riding on Obama!

And as I keep reminding you lot, we were voting for McCain in 2008 until Palin rocked up with her fairly decent rack offset by meat-pie fething IQ.

I'm stunned at how close it is, only In America! If these guys were running in somewhere civilised like the UK, Obama would be 35% ahead in the polls.

The most ridiculous thing is, they keep saying Obama is a commie and a socialist when he absolutely isn't. Over here he is probably slightly more conservative than Cameron!

**streamdragon**

Orlanth wrote:Frazzie has it right there. Powell 'crossed the floor' as we say in Blighty. He would have been a Republican changing his vote in 2008, which would be newsworthy, but in 2012 he is just another Democrat.

Aren't people practically required to vote along party lines there? I thought I remember someone mentioning that?

Because that's not the case in the U.S.

mattyrm wrote:And as I keep reminding you lot, we were voting for McCain in 2008 until Palin rocked up with her fairly decent rack offset by meat-pie fething IQ.

Can not agree with this more. I like McCain. I like him a lot. Having Palin anywhere near the nuclear launch codes, on the other hand, was simply not an option.

**Chowderhead**

mattyrm wrote:
The most ridiculous thing is, they keep saying Obama is a commie and a socialist when he absolutely isn't. Over here he is probably slightly more conservative than Cameron!

Welcome to America, the only place where saying someone's a socialist is an insult...

As a nearly socialist democrat, it's gak like that that makes me wonder.