There is currently one response to “Workin’ for the Weekend Open Thread”

Why not let us know what you think by adding your own comment! Your opinion is as valid as anyone else's, so come on... let us know what you think.

1. 1 On October 19th, 2008, Midwest McGarry said:

   The Powell endorsement today was something we don’t see much anymore in American politics: A calm, thoughtful discourse where the person walks through a series of logical steps explaining their decision. Powell didn’t just endorse Obama… he also showed his work (in the words of a math teacher).

   You can see the full transcript here: http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/nbc/colin_powell_chooses_meet_the_press_to_endorse_barack_obama_97918.asp

   I have no idea how many undecided will be swayed by Powell’s endorsement, but I have a sense that many will be swayed by his process. The Daily Show had a hilarious segment the other day trying to describe who the “undecideds” are. They concluded some were “racist democrats,” but most are “stupid people.”

   I think Powell proved that wrong today. He showed how a thoughtful person with first hand knowledge of both McCain and Obama could be torn… could see either as a viable choice for the office. And then he worked his way through the pros and cons for each man.

   He mentioned the problems with Palin, the narrowing of the Republican Party, and the calm wisdom of Obama. But he also made the point that the implicit slurs against Muslims were doing great damage to the nation. The word picture he painted of the mother at Arlington cemetery mourning over a grave with the crescent and star atop was very powerful, and it was quintessentially American. I think he and I share a common idea of what this country should be.

   I have my problems with Powell. Charlie covered a big issue, torture, the other day. I think Powell could have stopped a war in Iraq first by running for president in 2000 and second by refusing to take shoddy evidence to the UN Security Council. But that doesn’t mean we can dismiss his thinking or the impact his words will have on many people.

   Thank you General Powell for showing us, by example, how tough decisions should be approached.

Leave a Reply