Colin Powell, the man most responsible for making the case for the Iraq war,
has now endorsed the man
whose very candidacy revolved around his opposition to the war Powell sold at
the U.N.
Powell left as quietly as he had come, alone. Baker turned to Panetta
and said solemnly, “He’s the one guy who could have perhaps prevented
this from happening.” – The War Within, by Bob Woodward (pg.
52)
The above section comes from Woodward’s new book where Colin Powell gives
testimony in front of the Iraq Study Group. Woodward recounts Powell’s agonizing
statements about the “dysfunction” of the war, that he had warned
Bush about the troop strength required, but at this point the committee saw
and heard him “unload,” talking about Rumsfeld’s “stuff happens”
with disgust, the ridiculously ludicrous appointment of Bernard Kerik to lead
the Iraqi police, but also that he was never notified that Bremer was unilaterally
disbanding the Iraq army. With his endorsement of Barack Obama, Colin Powell’s
statement heard in full is a damning indictment on today’s Republican Party
and by extension John McCain.
Powell’s endorsement today also hits on one point that should trouble all Republicans, all Americans. The nakedly political choice of Sarah Palin who is not qualified for president. A person who is not in the same league as Joe Biden.
“I don’t believe [Palin] is ready to be president of the United
States,” Powell said flatly. By contrast, Obama’s running mate,
Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, “is ready to be president on day one.”Stressing that Obama was a lifelong Christian, Powell denounced Republican
tactics that he said were insulting not only to to Obama but also to Muslims.… “The really right answer is what if he is?” Powell said,
praising the contributions of millions of Muslim citizens to American society.“I look at these kind of approaches to the campaign, and they trouble
me,” Powell said. “Over the last seven weeks, the approach of
the Republican Party has become narrower and narrower.”… “I truly believe that at this point in Amserica’s (sic)
history we need a president who will not just continue … basically the policies
we have followed in recent years,” he said. “We need a president
with transformational qualities.”For that reason, he said, “I will be voting for Barack Obama.”
The endorsement by former general Colin Powell means little to people like
me. Then again, it’s not meant for me. Powell can never erase the reality that he could have done much to stop the Iraq war or at least make a statement by not supporting the way it was going to be waged. But that would have required his resignation, which this “good soldier” was not prepared to do. No matter his endorsement today, he will have to live with
that; today’s actions not negating this blemish on his record.
However, Powell’s endorsement will have sway among your average American and also some U.S. military who want to vote for Barack Obama, but who many times
feel pressure not to vote for a Democrat, especially one who is against the
Iraq war. It gives Obama extra support in the one area that is useful for undecided
voters, completing a non-partisan circle for Obama that strengthens his message
of all of us working together, regardless of party, because the challenges we face are so serious.
The circle is complete. One can only hope that Powell finds some comfort in
finally confronting the political party that so disastrously ruined our military
force structure, but also the reputation of this country, as we continue to struggle in Iraq on how to get out. It was a long time
coming. No doubt what’s happened in Afghanistan as a result of the prosecution of the Iraq war still gives Colin Powell many sleepless nights. It should.
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