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I was transfixed on Sunday morning watching former Secretary of State Colin Powell appearing on Meet The Press to endorse Barack Obama.
It is an incredible and heartfelt endorsement. While endorsements often don't matter much, I think this one will. It was firm, clear, direct, honest, and hard-hitting.
And Colin Powell made the endorsement in the manner of a statesperson, not being overly critical of John McCain, but pointing out continuing problems with the Republican Party of these latter days -- that they "win" by destroying others, that they go after the irrelevancies like whom one is associated with so they can avoid the discussion about what really affects people.
Without using the words, Colin Powell was telling us that John McCain has lost his way. He's misplaced any vision about the future he had, and instead has allowed campaign consultants and other hacks make a mess of his campaign, and himself. Problem is, of course, that also shows a lack of character and a lack of leadership.
Powell also seemed chagrined with the surprise selection by McCain of Sarah Palin. It seemed like Powell was asking McCain, "what were you thinking?"
Let's not lose focus of the reality that Colin Powell contributed to getting us into Iraq. I think it was clear he didn't want to invade, and he didn't want to make the "close the case" presentation at the United Nations shortly before the invasion. And with his military training, he most likely believed his role as Secretary of State was to follow the leader.
But he didn't have to kiss the butts of Dick Cheney and George W. Bush. He probably had to say "Yes Sir" once the decision was made to invade, although that's open to debate, but he could have done a better job questioning the "intelligence" about Weapons Of Mass Destruction," and the wisdom of changing long-standing American ideals by attacking a nation that hadn't attacked us.
All said and done, however, perhaps Colin Powell would have made a fascinating President in his own right. Hopefully, a President Barack Obama will call on him to fill an important role in his administration.
Colin Powell also says he will vote for Barack Obama on November 4th because of the positive amazing message it will give to the world -- that we are ready to do things differently, and that we are willing to talk with people who we haven't have a conversation with lately. We need to do that. If we don't talk with our enemies, about the only thing left is to fight them.
Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama was a class act by a longtime Republican. Many other Republicans should take his lead.
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