# 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:** 5
**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, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/81 "2012-10-26T12:32:20Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I think Colin Powell has earned the right to endorse whoever the hell he wants for president But surely we can all agree that black people who’ve been voting for white Democrats for decades are the _real_ racists. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/82 "2012-10-26T12:40:59Z")
> [@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). The _Times_ story on Sununu’s latest racist remarks also included the news that Meat Loaf has endorsed Romney! ---
**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, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/83 "2012-10-26T12:42:51Z")
My inner cynic tells me that this Sununu thing was a calculated jump onto the old race grenade in order to get people and the press to talk about anything but the Mourdock rape stuff. They’d rather alienate blacks and liberals than women. Makes sense at this point of the campaign. ---
**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 26, 2012, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/84 "2012-10-26T13:24:26Z")
> [@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). I agree. This is the type of thing you’re supposed to think and not say. Especially to the press, two weeks before an election. In other news, the vice minister of the North Korean army was reportedly executed with a mortar round, for [drinking and carousing during the official mourning period after Kim Jong-il’s death](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/9630509/North-Korean-army-minister-executed-with-mortar-round.html). Basically, the idea is to keep your head down. ---
**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, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/85 "2012-10-26T13:25:35Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > I agree. This is the type of thing you’re supposed to think and not say. Especially to the press, two weeks before an election. He’s supposed to think it? Whatever for? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/86 "2012-10-26T13:27:35Z")
> [@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. Well, she did sort-of kind-of defend the Obama administration [over its reaction to the Benghazi attack](http://www.newshounds.us/condoleezza_rice_bursts_fox_news_benghazi_gate_balloon_10252012). ---
**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 26, 2012, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/87 "2012-10-26T13:49:16Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > He’s supposed to think it? Whatever for? I mean if you happen to think it’s true, you’re supposed to keep it to yourself. If you’re a political figure, that is. If you’re some guy commenting on a MB, anything goes. ---
**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 26, 2012, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/88 "2012-10-26T14:14:01Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Well, she did sort-of kind-of defend the Obama administration [over its reaction to the Benghazi attack](http://www.newshounds.us/condoleezza_rice_bursts_fox_news_benghazi_gate_balloon_10252012). She has some integrity. As SecState, she knows full well the conditions in that part of the world, and how things actually operate, instead of holding the sort of fantasy notions that Congress seems to hold. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/89 "2012-10-26T14:20:40Z")
I think the Pubs should make Sununu, Meat Loaf and Chris Christie the spokespeople for their healthy eating campaign, explaining why Michelle Obama is so wrong on portion control–this makes as much sense as the other crap they’ve been spouting. Also, get Limbaugh on board with this–his voice needs to be heard here too. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/90 "2012-10-26T14:29:21Z")
African Americans don’t support Obama because he is black, they support him because he is a Democrat. Check the previous elections. ---
**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 26, 2012, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/91 "2012-10-26T17:52:12Z")
Sununu has now [backed off](http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2012/1026/Romney-adviser-Sununu-backs-off-Colin-Powell-race-statement) on his earlier comments. I guess someone told him that he sounded like a racist dickwad. ---
**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, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/92 "2012-10-26T18:04:04Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I guess someone told him that he sounded like a racist dickwad. Everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/93 "2012-10-26T18:07:23Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Sununu has now [backed off](http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2012/1026/Romney-adviser-Sununu-backs-off-Colin-Powell-race-statement) on his earlier comments. I guess someone told him that he sounded like a racist dickwad. Consider that bell unrung and we can now move on…says the right wing spin machine.. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/94 "2012-10-26T18:15:23Z")
I think some people are missing the point. You see, Sununu actually “applauds” Powell for making the endorsement. :rolleyes: ---
**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, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/95 "2012-10-26T18:21:48Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Sununu has now [backed off](http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2012/1026/Romney-adviser-Sununu-backs-off-Colin-Powell-race-statement) on his earlier comments. I guess someone told him that he sounded like a racist dickwad. Heh, “sounded like.” If it sounds like a duck, etc etc ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/96 "2012-10-26T19:25:59Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > Of course, if a white person supports a white politician their shared pigmentation would never, ever, have anything to do with it. No siree, not ever in a million years. This is what gets me. We saw the racists admit their racism during 2008, ferchrissakes, the people saying they didn’t think we were ready for a black president yet. If that was happening in 2008, how much worse was it happening 30 years earlier, when Reagan was gearing up for his run? But when I point out how Reagan’s skin color was a massive benefit to his career, FoPhi tells me I’m being silly. Of course I’m not being silly. Do you think there’s any chance Reagan would have been elected Governor of California, much less president, if he’d been black? For that matter, what are the chances that W would have been in a position to run for governor of Texas if he’d been black? How many ultrawealthy political dynasties exist in Texas that are nonwhite families? The overwhelming majority of politicians are both white and have massively benefited from the color of their skin. To focus only on the black ones is racist. ---
**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 26, 2012, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/97 "2012-10-26T19:39:14Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > This is what gets me. We saw the racists admit their racism during 2008, ferchrissakes, the people saying they didn’t think we were ready for a black president yet. If that was happening in 2008, how much worse was it happening 30 years earlier, when Reagan was gearing up for his run? But when I point out how Reagan’s skin color was a massive benefit to his career, FoPhi tells me I’m being silly. You were being silly because whether Reagan benefited from his skin color, no matter how 100,000% true it may be, has nothing whatsoever to do with whether Colin Powell’s endorsement of Barack Obama is related to skin color or not. And the latter happens to be what is being discussed in this thread. But the mere mention of race drove you into full blown “race” mode. “Oh, we’re talking about race? Hey, what about all those white guys who benefited from their race!?! Huh, huh, huh!?!” You were being silly. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/98 "2012-10-26T19:41:42Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > But the mere mention of race drove you into full blown “race” mode. “Oh, we’re talking about race? Hey, what about all those white guys who benefited from their race!?! Huh, huh, huh!?!” The reason we’re talking about race is because a black guy endorsed a black guy, and you decided that it was significant. If you can show me threads where a white guy endorsed a white guy, and you started speculating on whether race motivated the endorsement, then I’ll say, hey, maybe your speculation isn’t racist after all. And no, I’m not the one driven into full-blown “race” mode. You brought up race. If you want to bring up race in a racist manner, that’s your choice; you can expect to get called on it if you do. ---
**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 26, 2012, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/99 "2012-10-26T19:44:41Z")
I am not concerned with whether you call my speculation racist or not. Knock yourself out. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2012, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832/100 "2012-10-26T19:44:46Z")
I don’t know why Republicans are making such a big deal out of this story. It’s not a good one for Romney. They should have politely ignored Powell and moved on instead of fanning the flames. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-endorses-obama-for-re-election/638832.md?page=6)