# Colin Powell Endorses Obama for re-election **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 25, 2012, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832 "2012-10-25T15:29:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/21 "2012-10-25T16:38:51Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > This is one way of saying “There is no evidence for a theory that’s being offered just to denigrate Powell,” which of course is what’s being done. No, it’s a way of refraining from pretending to know more than is actually possible to know, a trait you would be wise to emulate. > [@](#): > > [Powell is more than capable of explaining his endorsement.](http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/25/14694430-obama-powell-endorses-obama-again?lite) Standard political blather. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/22 "2012-10-25T16:40:59Z")
Nice, I guess - but does any personal endorsement really have any affect whatsoever with a Presidential Election? I mean, yeah - if Bill and Hilary Clinton had said they would vote for Romney, that would have been BIG news, or if McCain came out for Obama the Republicans would have him tarred and feathered…but does anyone really care what Colin Powell says? Will this translate into a single vote? Maybe I am wrong, but this seems more like a nice gesture rather than some valuable asset to the campaign. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/23 "2012-10-25T16:41:15Z")
I’ll bet McCain would be even more pissed if Powell endorsed Mit Romney. Absent the BS about Powell “just voting for the black guy”, the only conclusion remaining would be that that Powell has a greater regard for Romney’s national security _bona fides_ than he did for McCain’s in '08. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/24 "2012-10-25T16:44:00Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Standard political blather. Stuff that’s worth paying attention to in understanding why Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama: empty speculation and blather on the Internet. Stuff that’s not worth paying attention to: the reasons Colin Powell gave for endorsing Barack Obama. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/25 "2012-10-25T16:46:59Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Standard political blather. I bow to your expertise on the subject. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/26 "2012-10-25T16:47:19Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Nice, I guess - but does any personal endorsement really have any affect whatsoever with a Presidential Election? I don’t think so. Powell’s endorsement in 2008 got a lot of attention (and of course was met with much of the same ‘reverse racism!’ nonsense), but I don’t know that it changed anybody’s mind. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/27 "2012-10-25T16:54:00Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > No, it’s a way of refraining from pretending to know more than is actually possible to know, a trait you would be wise to emulate. > > Standard political blather. So we can hand wave away the statements from the man himself but not you’re wholly unfounded accusations of racism. Got it, thanks for the clarification. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/28 "2012-10-25T17:11:49Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Stuff that’s worth paying attention to in understanding why Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama: empty speculation and blather on the Internet. > Stuff that’s not worth paying attention to: the reasons Colin Powell gave for endorsing Barack Obama. I have this feeling you’re not this naive when it doesn’t serve your argument. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > I bow to your expertise on the subject. Well I sometimes read your posts … > [@zoid](#): > > So we can hand wave away the statements from the man himself but not you’re wholly unfounded accusations of racism. Got it, thanks for the clarification. Accusations of racism? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/29 "2012-10-25T17:21:19Z")
You have basically said that Colin Powell is only endorsing Obama because he is black. Or, read differently, that if Obama were white Powell would not endorse him. How is that not accusing Powell of racism? Anyway, Powell clearly stated why he is supporting the President - he doesn’t know which of Mitt Romney’s stated foreign policies is the real one. To my mind that is a perfectly valid reason absent any racial speculation. Had he said he supported Romney because he felt Obama was too soft on Iran I would say that’s a valid reason as well (although one I disagree with). A race-based hypothesis is unnecessary and insulting. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/30 "2012-10-25T17:23:22Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/EBzCvfw54bM/hqdefault.jpg "POWELL: Romney's Foreign Policy A "Moving Target"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBzCvfw54bM) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/31 "2012-10-25T17:23:31Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > I have this feeling you’re not this naive when it doesn’t serve your argument. Likewise. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/32 "2012-10-25T17:31:54Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > [John McCain isn’t happy about this.](http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/10/john-mccain-lashes-out-at-colin-powell-after-obama-endorsement.php?ref=fpb) I think he’s still pissed about 2008. > [@](#): > > General Powell, you disappoint us and you have harmed your legacy even further **by defending what is clearly the most feckless foreign policy in my lifetime.** If only we could return to the glorious foreign policy of the Bush administration. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/33 "2012-10-25T17:32:08Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > You have basically said that Colin Powell is only endorsing Obama because he is black. Or, read differently, that if Obama were white Powell would not endorse him. How is that not accusing Powell of racism? What I said was that prominent black people were under pressure to support Obama, and I gave examples of this. I’m not into semantic games and if you want to call this “racism” I’m not going to argue with it. As long as we’re clear on what’s meant by the term. [FTR I see no evidence that CP has any antipathy to white people, and I doubt if he does, based on his history and character.] > [@](#): > > Anyway, Powell clearly stated why he is supporting the President - he doesn’t know which of Mitt Romney’s stated foreign policies is the real one. To my mind that is a perfectly valid reason absent any racial speculation. It’s a perfectly valid reason but it’s also a standard Obama talking point. What was CP going to say? “I endorse Obama because people will consider me an Uncle Tom if I don’t”? This is SOP for all politicians and nobody ever refrains from speculation about a politician’s motives because “he _said_ he’s doing it because …”. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/34 "2012-10-25T17:35:02Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > What I said was that prominent black people were under pressure to support Obama, and I gave examples of this. Do you scrutinize the motivation for whites who support Romney? Didn’t think so. ---
**Author:** ![tim314](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim314/32/3468_2.png) [@tim314](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim314)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/35 "2012-10-25T17:36:52Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > What bearing does that have? That just means that he would ordinarily be inclined to support a Republican. In this case (as in 2008, IIRC) he did not. Question is why. One theory is that Obama is so much a better candidate than Romney. The alternative is that he feels pressure to not break ranks with the Black community. I would think that a decorated general and experienced leader is not likely to be heavily swayed by peer pressure. His stated reasons, particularly that Romney has been inconsistent in his foreign policy positions, ring true to me. That’s the kind of stuff I’d expect a man like Colin Powell to care about. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/36 "2012-10-25T17:37:28Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > FTR I see no evidence that CP has any antipathy to white people, and I doubt if he does, based on his history and character. How magnanimous. I see no evidence he endorsed Obama for any reason other than the reasons he gave. Is there a reason we need to think zebras and not horses in this discussion? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/37 "2012-10-25T17:41:53Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > If only we could return to the glorious foreign policy of the Bush administration. Even after reading your reply, I _did_ think upon the first couple of reads that McCain was somehow chastising Powell for his initial support of Bush’s foreign policy. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/38 "2012-10-25T18:03:24Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > What I said was that prominent black people were under pressure to support Obama, and I gave examples of this. > > I’m not into semantic games and if you want to call this “racism” I’m not going to argue with it. As long as we’re clear on what’s meant by the term. [FTR I see no evidence that CP has any antipathy to white people, and I doubt if he does, based on his history and character.] > > It’s a perfectly valid reason but it’s also a standard Obama talking point. What was CP going to say? “I endorse Obama because people will consider me an Uncle Tom if I don’t”? > > This is SOP for all politicians and nobody ever refrains from speculation about a politician’s motives because “he _said_ he’s doing it because …”. So what’s so special about Colin Powell’s endorsement that you suspect his motives? Or do you similarly scrutinize every endorsement by every public figure? ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/39 "2012-10-25T18:24:15Z")
> [@tim314](#): > > I would think that a decorated general and experienced leader is not likely to be heavily swayed by peer pressure. Sounds good, but he and his family have social concerns like anyone else. It’s not like he lives on a battlefield. > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > So what’s so special about Colin Powell’s endorsement that you suspect his motives? He’s been a consistent (moderate) Republican, served multiple Republican administrations, active in Republican politics, donated to McCain’s 2008 (primary) campaign, suddenly turned around to support Obama in 2008 and 2012. Just a bit unusual, do you think? > [@](#): > > Or do you similarly scrutinize every endorsement by every public figure? I don’t pay much attention to endorsements. This one is bigger news than most. But even at that, I didn’t start this thread. Certainly if a lifelong Democrat endorsed Romney I would be open to speculation as to his or her motives. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/40 "2012-10-25T18:28:23Z")
[Rush called reverse-racism on Powell’s endorsement in 2008, by the way.](http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2008/10/20/powell_endorsement_of_obama_has_everything_to_do_with_race_elitism) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832.md?page=3)