Powell Criticizes Right-Wing’s Attacks Against Obama: ‘Let’s Attack Him On Policy, Not Nonsense’

[kpete]

Source: Think Progress

Powell Criticizes Right-Wing’s Attacks Against Obama: ‘Let’s Attack Him On Policy, Not Nonsense’

Retired General and former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Colin Powell criticized the Tea Party movement’s inflammatory attacks against President Obama this morning during an appearance on NBC’s Meet The Press, singling out the rhetoric of Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin. Powell said that while “there’s nothing wrong” with people like Sarah Palin “going out there, presenting her views and animating American political life,” “one of the problems that I’m having with all of this right now is that there is a certain undercurrent of thought that is not helpful.” “When people want to attack the President, attack him. Presidents are used to being attacked. But let’s not go down low,” Powell said.

Pressed by host David Gregory to respond to Newt Gingrich’s recent suggestion that Obama was displaying anti-colonial Kenyan behavior, Powell warned Americans to “think carefully” about Gingrich’s accusations and went on to debunk some of the right-wing’s conspiracy theories:

***** POWELL: I would just tell my fellow Americans, think carefully about what was just said. Think carefully about some of the stuff that is coming across the blogs and airwaves. Let’s make a couple of points. One, the President was born in the United States of America. Let’s get rid of that one, let’s get rid of the birther thing. Let’s attack him on policy, not nonsense. Next, he is a Christian, he is not a Muslim…And I think we have to be careful when we take things like Dinesh D’Souza’s book, which is the source of all of this, and suggest that somehow the President of the United States is channeling his dead father through some Kenyan spirits. This doesn’t make any sense. Mr. Gingrich does these things from time to time with a big, bold statement. He did it with Sotomayor, she is a “reverse racist.” He did it with Elena Kagan, she ought to be taken off the nomination for Supreme Court justice. And he does it occasionally to make news and also to stir up dust.

Read more: http://thinkprogress.org/2010/09/19/powell-teaparty-obama/

[Proud Liberal Dem]

1. Makes good sense to me!

:thumbsup:

I would add, however, that even IF President Obama is/was a Muslim, IT SHOULDN'T EVEN MATTER!!!! Well, that is if you believe that-according to the Constitution- we are supposed to have freedom of religion here in the US and that there aren't (supposed to be) any religious tests for public office. The right clearly doesn't seem to understand this.

[jaxx]

2. He is being truthful, attack the known and can the conspiracy.

This whole presidency has been what if'd to death.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

3. From the right AND left

n/t

[left coaster]

4. Yes, that's how it should be.. however..

If the RW challenged Obama's policies, their own policies would come under scrutiny. They certainly wouldn't want that to happen.

[DCKit]

5. If only he'd gone one step further...

and mentioned our "anti-colonial" founding fathers.

But it's better than nothing.

[bahrbearian]

6. Powell has a lot more explaining to do..

Especially when it comes to attacking People or Countries , He needs to give Obama more support.

[EFerrari]

9. Career waffler. He endorsed Obama, didn't he?

[kenny blankenship]

7. Maybe you are the one who should be doing some sober self-reflection, Mr. Powell.

You are aligned with a party of proudly irrational racists, a bunch of dangerous idiots goaded on by a few even more dangerous non-idiots. What are you going to do about that?

[Mimosa]

8. My only objection is:

My only objection is on the phrasing 'let's attack him'. I don't want to attack the president.

I want the President to LISTEN TO ME. And other middle class citizens who need help.