# 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:** 4
**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, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/61 "2012-10-25T20:45:00Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > No, I suggested some uncertainty about it, in post #13 and other subsequent posts. > > But I was mainly referring to the part of your post that I quoted: “That if he were a white Republican ex-general and ex-Sec of State who supported Obama, you wouldn’t suspect his motives?” > > On looking back at prior posts, I see that not only did [I address this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=15628588&postcount=42), but I addressed it in response to a post from you, in which you asked essentially the same question. What’s up with that? If you answered it, then I totally missed it (and still miss it). Don’t answer if you don’t feel like it, but I looked back at every single post and the only one in which you suggested a motive for believing that Powell is endorsing Obama for a reason other than his stated ones, you suggested that it’s because he’s black. ---
**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, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/62 "2012-10-25T20:45:01Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I can also not make that accusation. You just did, or you at least suggested it. It’s especially frustrating to me that you acknowledge that it’s not fair, yet you do it anyway. I am more committed to reality than to fair. ---
**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, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/63 "2012-10-25T20:47:10Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > I am more committed to reality than to fair. Oh, ok- you actually _believe_ that every black person who has achieved distinction is likely to have benefited from his or her race. I apologize for misunderstanding you. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/64 "2012-10-25T20:50:12Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > I am more committed to reality than to fair. I hate to paraphrase, since I run the risk of putting words in your mouth but… It sounds to me like you’re saying something along the lines of: “We have to acknowledge that racism exists, and it is possible that Powell is only supporting Obama because of his shared skin color, and is lying about his motivation. Therefore you can’t blame me for speculating that this may be the case.” If this is what you are saying, then I have to take issue with the last part. Yes, we can blame you because while yes, racism does exist, you don’t have to buy into it, promote it and make assumptions that others might possibly have it. ---
**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, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/65 "2012-10-25T21:06:48Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > If you answered it, then I totally missed it (and still miss it). Don’t answer if you don’t feel like it, but I looked back at every single post and the only one in which you suggested a motive for believing that Powell is endorsing Obama for a reason other than his stated ones, you suggested that it’s because he’s black. Post #13 > [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Can’t be sure, of course. There are any number of people who are not lockstep ideologically, and who vary their votes by election. Post #39 > [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Certainly if a lifelong Democrat endorsed Romney I would be open to speculation as to his or her motives. Post #42 > [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Certainly I’m open to speculation about any or all of the above. What then is the explanation of your post #52? What is still unanswered? > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Oh, ok- you actually _believe_ that every black person who has achieved distinction is likely to have benefited from his or her race. I apologize for misunderstanding you. Well I assumed you used “every” as hyperbole, and I would change “is likely” to “may”, but otherwise OK. I would put it: there are many many blacks who have benefited from affirmative action and observers often are unable to distinguish the ones who have from the ones who have not. This is unfortunate, especially in the cases of those who have not but are having their achievements tainted nonetheless. > [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I hate to paraphrase, since I run the risk of putting words in your mouth but… > > It sounds to me like you’re saying something along the lines of: > > “We have to acknowledge that racism exists, and it is possible that Powell is only supporting Obama because of his shared skin color, and is lying about his motivation. Therefore you can’t blame me for speculating that this may be the case.” > > If this is what you are saying, then I have to take issue with the last part. Yes, we can blame you because while yes, racism does exist, you don’t have to buy into it, promote it and make assumptions that others might possibly have it. You’ve misunderstood the conversation, which has digressed into a bit of a tangent about the effects of affirmative action generally. The part you quoted was made in that context. ---
**Author:** ![Randvek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a6a055/32.png) [@Randvek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randvek)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/66 "2012-10-25T21:17:28Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > I would put it: there are many many blacks who have benefited from affirmative action and observers often are unable to distinguish the ones who have from the ones who have not.. Except for you, it would seem. Or have you been carrying on this charade using only a hypothetical possibility? ---
**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, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/67 "2012-10-25T21:20:47Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Post #13 > > Post #39 > > Post #42 > > What then is the explanation of your post #52? What is still unanswered? You only offered one possible motive for Powell, the other motives (as I read it) were for nebulous others. But whatever. I think I understand your thinking now (and obviously disagree with it). I think it’s far more likely that Powell is right about his reasons then you are right about his reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/68 "2012-10-25T21:27:21Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Certainly if a lifelong Democrat endorsed Romney I would be open to speculation as to his or her motives. No, you wouldn’t. You would be convinced that the candidate’s policies and positions made so much sense that it was simply a good, rational decision to support him. ---
**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, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/69 "2012-10-25T21:28:59Z")
No, I wouldn’t. In fact, I would take him to the quarry and throw him down there. ---
**Author:** ![BrokenBriton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@BrokenBriton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrokenBriton)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/70 "2012-10-25T21:33:15Z")
Has Powell made a good decision since leaving the army? ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/71 "2012-10-25T21:42:19Z")
Originally Posted by Fotheringay-Phipps I would put it: there are many many blacks who have benefited from affirmative action and observers often are unable to distinguish the ones who have from the ones who have not… A ringing endorsement for affirmative action! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/72 "2012-10-25T22:10:56Z")
[Here’s](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/condoleezza-rice-endorses-mitt-romney/2012/05/30/gJQAYF4c2U_blog.html) another of those racist blacks marching in lockstep with the brutha. Not. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/73 "2012-10-25T22:34:05Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > [Here’s](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/condoleezza-rice-endorses-mitt-romney/2012/05/30/gJQAYF4c2U_blog.html) another of those racist blacks marching in lockstep with the brutha. Not. Did you mean to link that article (from May)? I would think her recent statement saying the Romney/Ryan would “respect the views of those who may disagree on these issues.” - referencing social issues and specifically women’s issues. Makes me wonder just how deep in GWB’s administration the stupid actually went. I mean, this woman was our SecState. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/74 "2012-10-25T23:08:22Z")
This is payback. Bushco™ left his reputation high & dry, & he wants a pound of flesh. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/75 "2012-10-26T01:58:19Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Colin Powell is a very fine and capable man and he has served his country with distinction. But it’s unlikely that the color of his skin was never a factor in his career. Of course the real reason this is wrong is because no white person has ever had the color of their skin be a factor in advancing their career, right? ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/76 "2012-10-26T04:37:35Z")
Holy Shit! John Sununu straight up said on national tv (CNN) that Powell only endorsed Obama because he’s black. I could have seen Limbaugh or Coulter saying this, but one of Romney’s top surrogates? [Disgraceful](http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/romney-surrogate-colin-powell-endorsed-obama-because-hes?m=1). ---
**Author:** ![Andiethewestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@Andiethewestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andiethewestie)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/77 "2012-10-26T04:55:43Z")
Ew. So why does Sununu support Romney? Because he’s a racist white bastard? ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/78 "2012-10-26T06:34:37Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > > [@BobLibDem](#): > > > > Even money odds that Rush Limbaugh comes out and says it’s because Powell is black. One in two chance that Sarah Palin denounces Powell’s endorsement as a “shuck and jive”. > > Don’t bet on it. Neither Limbaugh nor Palin are Democrats. This is a joke, right? I mean 1.) Implying that Powell only did it because he’s black and 2.) “Shuck-and-jive” references - both those things happened. One by Limbaugh and one by Palin. Am I missing something? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/79 "2012-10-26T11:45:20Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > Holy Shit! John Sununu straight up said on national tv (CNN) that Powell only endorsed Obama because he’s black. I could have seen Limbaugh or Coulter saying this, but one of Romney’s top surrogates? [Disgraceful](http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/romney-surrogate-colin-powell-endorsed-obama-because-hes?m=1). That’d be the same guy who said a few weeks ago that Obama is lazy and not that bright. If I were running Romney’s campaign I might pay him to stay off TV. > [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > This is a joke, right? Particularly since Limbaugh is already on the record as saying the endorsement was about race. I don’t know if **Omg a Black Conservative** has a strong opinion on whether or not Limbaugh will say it _again_, but I don’t know why we’re supposed to care if he does. ---
**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 26, 2012, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/80 "2012-10-26T11:52:22Z")
John Sununu is a flaming dickwad. Let’s look at Colin Powell. First of all, West Point is not the easiest place to get into. Then when you get out, every single promotion is a competition. Powell rose to the top in an organization that isn’t easy to rise to the top in. For every single promotion, he probably had to impress some people who were disinclined to want to give it to a black guy. Then he served on the Joint Chiefs and as Secretary of State while earning the respect of people in both parties. Sure, he made that unfortunate case before the UN about Iraq’s non-existent threat, but other than that he was and is quite credible. I think Colin Powell has earned the right to endorse whoever the hell he wants for president, and I think he’s earned the right for us to listen to what he has to say. Agree or disagree with the choice or his reasons, but to say that he did so out of racial identity is a huge undeserved insult to a guy who spent his entire life in public service. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832.md?page=5)