Colin Powell Endorses Obama for President and Says It’s NOT About Race

It has been rumored since July that Colin Powell would endorse Barack Obama for President and he did this morning on NBC News, Meet the Press.

Flap will post the video next but should it be taken down from You Tube the link for the NBC video is here:

The transcript is here.

Colin Powell said this:

I’m an American, first and foremost, and I’m very proud–I said, I’ve said, I’ve said to my beloved friend and colleague John McCain, a friend of 25 years, “John, I love you, but I’m not just going to vote for you on the basis of our affection or friendship.” And I’ve said to Barack Obama, “I admire you.  I’ll give you all the advice I can.  But I’m not going to vote for you just because you’re black.” 

Yet, then there is this:

MR. BROKAW:  And you are fully aware that there will be some–how many, no one can say for sure–but there will be some who will say this is an African-American, distinguished American, supporting another African-American because of race.

GEN. POWELL:  If I had only had that in mind, I could have done this six, eight, 10 months ago.  I really have been going back and forth between somebody I have the highest respect and regard for, John McCain, and somebody I was getting to know, Barack Obama.  And it was only in the last couple of months that I settled on this.  And I can’t deny that it will be a historic event for an African-American to become president.  And should that happen, all Americans should be proud–not just African-Americans, but all Americans–that we have reached this point in our national history where such a thing could happen.  It will also not only electrify our country, I think it’ll electrify the world.

Well, six months ago it wasn’t even clear that Barack Obama would win the Democrat nomination over Hillary Clinton. Rush Limbaugh like Flap doubts Powell’s comments about race.

“Secretary Powell says his endorsement is not about race,” Limbaugh wrote in an e-mail. “OK, fine. I am now researching his past endorsements to see if I can find all the inexperienced, very liberal, white candidates he has endorsed. I’ll let you know what I come up with.”

Michelle Malkin says no to the race issue and says it is Powell’s social liberalism that leads him to endorse Obama.

One last note: I see in comments that many believe Powell supports Obama because he is black. Powell has said electing a black president would be “electrifying.” He is a staunch supporter of government racial preferences.

It’s a mistake, though, to attribute Powell’s endorsement primarily to some kind of race loyalty.

It’s Obama’s social liberalism, not his skin color, that attracts Powell most.

Flap thinks race played a prominent role in the rationale for the Obama endorsement but his treatment by the Leftist Washington elite and his hatred of George W. Bush is a close second.

One prominent conservative who knows both McCain and Powell said that for all the secretary of state’s criticism of McCain and his praise of Obama, the move had less to do with the two candidates for president than the current occupant of the Oval Office.

“Powell cares a lot about his reputation with Washington elites, and he thinks he was badly damaged by his relationship with the Bush administration,” said this Republican. “So this is a way to make up for what he regarded as not being treated well by the Bush administration, not being given the due deference he thinks he deserves.”

And that Powell would make his decision known in the closing weeks of the election, as it becomes increasingly clear that Obama is the favorite, reflects a calculated political move, says this source.

“Let’s be honest — do we think Powell would be doing this if Obama had been trailing 6 or 7 points in the polls?” the source asked, deeming Powell’s endorsement “a profile in conventional wisdom.”

So, what will be the net effect of the Powell endorsement?

Colin Powell will feel better about himself and will now be invited to the New York and Washington cocktail parties. But, beyond this –  as Flap said before – not much.

Previous:

Colin Powell to Endorse Barack Obama on Meet the Press This Sunday?

Colin Powell Says Barack Obama Win “Would Be Electrifying”

John McCain Watch: Colin Powell for Vice President?

Colin Powell NOT Attending Democrat Convention

Colin Powell to Endorse Barack Obama in Denver?

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