Welcome the Powell endorsement, because IT HELPS US WIN.

[TheZug]

I tend to agree with many people here who criticize Powell for his enabling of the Bush administration's ability to go to war in Iraq and other dark matters.

But Colin Powell's endorsement can only help Obama.

In a calm and deliberative manner he absolutely savaged Palin and nasty Republican tactics.

Powell still garners respect amongst many people--deserved or no. I must admit I still respect him for some things while recognizing his failings in others.

Powell helps Obama win.

[nichomachus]

1. Win at any cost -- sell your soul for a handful of votes -- sounds like a good idea

[BzaDem]

2. You finally get it. Welcome.

[TheZug]

7. MY ASS.

Obama isn't worshiping at the feet of Colin Powell.

Obama has not in any way indicated that his policies will change because of the Powell endorsement.

Powell isn't campaigning for him.

Powell is free to say whatever he wants.

It is moronic to shun his endorsement.

[Lucky 13]

16. Powell talked about how the Republican party was "narrowing" as part of the reason for his defection

They are leaving people out of their party. Those people have to go somewhere. Some will continue to bang their heads against the wall with the GOP. Some are going to be looking for other options.

Now is not the time for OUR party to be narrowing. We need to be all inclusive. We need to be the BIG TENT party...and welcome people that we may disagree with on specific issues, but are looking for common ground.

My parents are Christian Fundies. They have said they WON'T vote for McCain because they think he is insane. There is a slight possibility they may vote for Obama even though they disagree with him on abortion, gay marriage, and they suspect he is a socialist, a muslim, and possibly the anti-christ. But even they are starting to wake up to the realization that the Republican party is not the way forward... that if we don't have some significant change in this country we are in for a shitstorm economically, globally, militarily, socially, etc. Now I'm not saying PANDER to the social and other issues they are so clearly wrong on. But if they are willing to put those issues aside and vote for Obama because they recognize it's for the good of the party, isn't that precisely what we are working so hard for?

All Powell did was say that he was voting for Barack and gave the most clear, concise, poignant explanation of the factors that led him there. He skewered McCain's campaign. What else do you want from him?

Rejecting Powell would be a "narrowing" of our party and is precisely the politics of division that the last 8 years brought us. The Republicans focus on the things that DIVIDE us. We need to focus on finding areas where we AGREE and using that as common ground to move forward. That's how we're going to win. That's how we could MAYBE win by a landslide.

[tridim]

3. He might pull in non-fundy fiscal conservatives like my parents.

There are lots of people just like them.

[jonnyblitz]

4. Obama was going to win anyway IN SPITE of the war criminal

endorsement.:shrug:

[stolivodka]

5. We didn't need this endorsement to win...

..and acting like it won the election for us will make it that much easier for the new admin to disregard the liberal netroots, come January.

[VeraAgnes]

6. I totally argree and may I say I was the FIRST

to post this on DU on October 15th. I was met with disapproval from my peers.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=7459530

[True_Blue]

8. Powell is probably terrified at the thought of a Palin Presidency.

[VeraAgnes]

9. I certainly got that impression!

I am too terrified of the thoughts of a Palin President.

[DCBob]

10. Correct. Probably at this point it nearly guarantees a win.

I will take it.

[EstimatedProphet]

11. Yes, it does

I don't get why people are upset about it here. Would they rather he endorsed McCain? Are only "the right kind of votes" good enough?

[Bonobo]

12. Are we allowed to both welcome it and still hate Powell. Is that ok?

[TheZug]

13. Me, personally, I'd say yes. Absolutely.

[EstimatedProphet]

15. Sure. The important thing is that it will helpus win.

[liberalmuse]

14. This is why I am proud to be a liberal.

I am one of the people who is thrilled with Powell's endorsement, only because I've talked to a lot of moderates and right wingers who idolize the guy and respect his opinions.

Like a scene in the movie, '12 Angry Men', many liberals are unwilling to win if it's not in what they feel is in an honorable way. In other words, Republicans can justify any means to an end, lying, cheating, torture, and even murder, but Dems are the exact opposite. It's how you get there that counts.

I do respect people here for scoffing at the Powell endorsement. I just think that even though the man did not behave in an honorable manner by towing the Bush line in the Iraq war, he does have a right to endorse anyone he wants. Am I a bad person to be very glad he endorsed Obama?