The endorsement is a result of Obama's race.

If the Democrat nominee was not an African Americam, Powell wouldn't have even been talking to him or her -- let alone endorsing him or her. If Hillary had won the nomination, Powell would not have endorsed her.

During his interview of Powell, Tom Brokaw said "There will be some ... who will say this is an African-American, distinguished American supporting another African-American because of race."

Powell admitted race was part of his decision when he replied "If I had only that in mind, I could have done this six, eight, 10 months ago." He also said that electing an African American would electrify the world.

If it is racism to vote against someone because of their race, it is racism to vote for someone because of their race.

Of course it is racism. He was motivated to support Obama, in part because of the color of skin. It is no different than those who will chose NOT to vote for Obama --in part or in total -- because of the color of his skin.

To argue otherwise would be to defy logic.

I think conservatives should not react viserally and angrily on the sole basis of race. It just reinforces the meme that the party is not inclusive. No one has a problem with Joe Lieberman endorsing and campaigning for Senator McCain. He has that right and that individualism. Sentator McCain is heralded as a maverick for bucking his party and crossing party lines. Yet when Mr. Powell does the exact same, somehow it is about race.

You know some people use race as a crutch and and excuse in order to not face truth or criticism. Think about the merits of his decision as a decorated war hero and servant of this country and elevate yourselves to what the party of reagan really stands for. how many democrats crossed over to support Presiden Reagan is astonishing even today. And even today they are called Reagan democrats.

Please do not marginalize the party in this way. It will be a problem for many years if this urge is not restrained.

You can speculate it is a reason, but you cannot be sure. Just the same way you cannot be sure about Joe Lieberman.

Lieberman is white, McCain is white. Is that why he is supporting him?

just because the two people are of the same race. It is not fair to anyone involved to do this. People support who they want for their own reasons.

Let's be reasonable and realistic, it was more of a risk for Mr. Powell to support Obama than it would have ever been for him to support Senator McCain. He could have also said nothing. So give him credit for his convictions and do not react so emotionally.

This does not allow us to really look at our party and what we need to do to correct course for the future. Great ideas and diversity should be welcomed whether we agree about every single thing or not.

The party needs to be more concerned about the future than to get off message by attacking a member because they have made a decision we do not like.

It is unfair to the members of the party who vote republican with the exclusion of race. I just think it does not help our vision of inclusion to go down this road. Anger and emotional reaction can cause one to say and do things a reasoned mind will eventually reject and be ashamed of.

That's all I am saying.

That Lieberman is a racist too? Afterall, when is the last time he endorsed a black conservative? Or any conservative? Is he just endorsing McCain because McCain is white?

Give me a break with this garbage. Those playing the race card here are the lowest common denominator in American politics.

Mr. Billings, by your definition every white person that endorsed McCain is a racist. I would have not known until you set me straight. No wonder a former Democratic VP Candidate decided to buck his party and endorse the Republican candidate...all because the person nominated from his party is Black. Shameful on LIEberman. But wait again, William Buckley's son endorses Obama. Is he racist? So many conservative newspapers endorse Obama. Are they racist? Billings, your argument is waining.

So all blacks that vote for Obama are racists? Are all whites that vote for McCain racists? If you are white and for a black man are you doing it just doing so to feel good about it?If you are black or and vote for a white man you are pro-American otherwise you are anti American?

It blows my mind that you cant vote for someone because you think they will handle situations better, or have the ability to do great things, or have the values you share, and then have others doubt that is why you voted a certain way. All past elections we were voting for a white guy, now something different comes along and some people cant deal with it.

What crap will the right come up with when they have to run against a Hispanic or an Asian male or a non white Woman...they might just spontaneously combust...Unless its on their side then it's suddenly ok (maybe).

White male under $50k for Obama...because he is better not because it's gonna make me feel good about myself.

It is impressive that Mr. Billings would claim to know Colin Powell's mind so well that he can predict who Mr. Powell would or would not have endorsed. Or, it would be impressive if there was any basis for it. As it is, the claim is as foolish and offensive as his other claim that Powell endorsed Obama simply because of race.

Powell spoke eloquently and at some length to explain his reasons for supporting Obama. Apparently Mr. Billings chose not to listen. Powell referred to Obama as having "displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge and an approach to looking at problems like this and picking a vice president that, I think, is ready to be president on day one. And also, in not just jumping in and changing every day, but showing intellectual vigor." Powell also expressed his disappointment with the gutter politics being practiced by Mr. McCain and McCain's obviously lack of judgment in his choice of Sarah Palin as a running mate.

Despite this, apparently all Dan Billings managed to focus on is the color of these gentlemen's skin. And he has the temerity to suggest that they are the racists. Were it not so sad, it would be quite funny.

This is an absolute disgrace. Billings should hang his head in shame.

That's right! And if McCain were Black Powell would have endorsed him!

And if McCain were Black, there'd be a lot more press about his repetitive adultery, his wife's theft of drugs, his pallin' around with Charles Keating, his halting command of the English language, his confusion about geography, his problems with economics, his reckless gambling, his discipline problems in the military, his nasty temper,
and his wife's family's profits from alcohol and violations of the law during prohibition.

Don't kid yourself. If Obama were white he'd be up 25 points in the polls.

And don't trash Colin Powell. He's 4312567109678 times the hero that John McCain is. Unpatriotic of you.

This is a curious response by many. Of course race had a factor in the Powell decision; of course it's had a factor in Obama's quick rise. I'm voting for Obama in some respects because of his liminal status, because I think that helps him understand issues better and empathize better. Every voter who goes beyond stances on issues and begins using terms like leadership, judgment, honesty, or other intangibles is taking race into account. It's simply unavoidable in America, and Colin Powell shouldn't be persecuted for taking it into account. His frank use of the words "electrifying" is pretty much right -- it WOULD be electrifying to have elected a black president. It's symbolic, and God knows that in politics, symbols count. I wouldn't take away any man's ability to account for the intangibles of race in voting for someone. Many Appalachians are doing it in the opposite direction, and surely many blacks (and whites!) are voting for Obama because he is black. There is no way to avoid this, and trying to do so is destructive and divisive. We should just take the issue at face value.

I think that once again, the "narrowness" of many conservatives here is a problem. Yes yes, we all recognize that an ideal world would be race-blind. But we forget how messy our world is, and how race and color deeply affected the founding institutions of this nation.

Curiously, this accusatory backlash by some conservatives will probably sink them even further into unreality and secure a few more votes for Sen. Obama. Some empathy and honesty is needed here; some subtlety needs to be added to the utterly true declaration that race plays a factor here.

I am in agreement w/your well written post. You have said exactly what most Republicans fear to hear or believe. When a critique is given it behooves the receiver to view the critique from the other's point of view, if not the possible valuable potential lesson will be lost & we will never learn how to improve our country or ourselves. It's not personal it's politics.

Earlier this morning I saw Powell stating his reasons for endorsing Obama. His reasons were well thought out & quite thorough. Powell said he believed both men would make good presidents but that McCain's negative campaigning of the last few weeks turned him off. What I do not think I heard Powell say was how unqualified (at this time) Sarah Palin is for vice president. Her appearance has brought back some excitement but for the very wrong reasons. She is trying to divide Americans rather than unite them making this bad for both Republicans & America. We all must stand & work together if we are to become the best nation in the world once again.
Thank you & more than ever May God bless America.
Choyce

I doubt Billings is correct. Obama has very little black in him, being about 93% Caucasian and Arab in fact. I'm more concerned about his total lack of qualifications (but he can read a teleprompter) and his wealth redistribution plans.

What in the world are you thinking? This is one of the best example I have ever scene of the lunacy of this "reverse racism" nonsense.

Colin Powell is an awesome man, no lapdog.

I bet you anything that, after talking to the Bushes, he was all set to stay quiet on the sidelines, then the crazies started following Palin around Florida and he felt honor bound to put it out that this kind of campaigning by McCain was going to lose people like him.

McCain lost Powell, pure and simple, along with his running mate, by running a campaign full of blatant nonsense, including racial innuendo, and polarizing rhetoric - - more conservatives should take heed what a LOSER the divisive non-issues are in the end.

But I guess it's just easier to call Powell a Racist (!!!!????)

Even if it is true that Colin Powell was influenced by Obama's race:

Supporting the 1st black US president partly because of racial issues, is not identical to supporting the 44th white US president partly because of racial issues.

Wanting diversity in your US presidents isn't the same as wanting homogeneity in them.

Most black people voting for Obama (whether his race affected their choice or not) have also voted for white people in the past. White people voting AGAINST Obama partly because of his race, probably have never voted for any non-white person before.

That's where the attempted analogy breaks down. The 1st black president isn't in the identical position (where racial relations are concerned) as the 44th white president.

You do realize that Bush has brought socialism to the forefront with the bank bailout/rescue. He expanded Govt's roll, expanded its power, increased its spending and urged congress to pass the bailout. Bush killed the Republican Party. They better take a look and see where they want to go next because much like all the other things Bush has tried he as failed and bankrupted it. Two companies, a baseball team, and the state of Texas.

Also 93% Caucasian and Arab??? Where did you get this information, have you been reading your own RNC mailers?

Mr Billings, let me ask you a question. Would John McCain make the same VP pick for running mate he made, if we were talking about a Sam Palin with the same experience and qualifications? All of you Republicans now acting like five year olds, accusing a decorated American serviceman like Colin Powell of putting race before his country, should examine the McCain campaign with the same cynicism. I guess by your logic, Colin Powell would've endorsed Flavor Flav for President if he was running for President as well. I guess it has nothing to do with the fact that Barack Obama, over the course of almost two years has shown he's ready to be President, and John McCain hasn't.

You should take his endorsement of Obama as a stinging indictment on the state of your fractured and broken party, it's the reason why Conservative intellectuals like the Wills, Brooks, Noonans, and Parkers, no longer recognize their Grand Old Party. Time for some Republican purging of the ranks!

Thank you for stating this so eloquently. I find it hard to believe that Mr. Billings can read minds and hearts to boot. He has not idea that race played a factor in Mr. Powell's decision. It makes it obvious that he apparently is RACIST himself and could not wait to dismiss Mr. Powell's endorsement as purely racial support. GIVE ME A BREAK!!

"To argue otherwise would be to defy logic."

Well in that case, all of the white folks who have voted in the past for all of the white presidents of the country are racists? Puhleeze, go stick your head in a dike.

To #14

Obama wasn't reading a teleprompter when he kicked McCain's a$$ in all three debates. McCain can't even read a teleprompter; note his weird off cadence speech at the RNC.

Some of you are just stupid. The Democratic party has always had 90% of the black vote. Why would that change now? So, they pick up an extra 5% which never voted anyway. McCain is going to pick up 5% too so in my opinion it is a wash in that respect.

The expectation that blacks not support a black man is ridiculous. We (blacks)have never had a chance to ascend to this position of power so why not support him? I am an African-American Republican and I am voting for Obama. Why? Because of the struggle and sacarifice my grandparents went through in Mississippi being black and college educated in the 1920's and 1930's. For the memory of my grandfather's medical office getting burned down in Mississippi in the 1930's and no one gave a crap about it...For my father not being granted entrance into Ole Miss when he should have been. For all the dirty tricks and advantages that white people have gotten and feel is their right.. That's why..So you will say get over it and I will say NO I will never forget but electing Obama will begin to make the promise of this place (America) real even if the founding fathers didn't want me included....

Powell told Brokaw that race played a part in his decision.

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.

If it is racism to vote against someone because of their race, it is racism to vote for someone because of their race.

This statement captures the childishness of Billings's response in a nutshell. The idea that being excited about a candidate whose rise shows that we as a country are beginning to move beyond the poisonous legacy of racism is somehow morally equivalent to consciously perpetuating that legacy is simply unhinged.

At any rate, what Colin Powell has done is the exact same thing that thoughtful, moderate Republicans have been doing in droves: turning away from a party that has chosen to define itself primarily along the lines demanded by its white, rural, Christianist "base," leaving no room for any model of conservatism based on ideas instead of on fear and nativism. If you refuse to acknowledge the substance of these Republicans' dissatisfaction with their party and its candidate's campaign, and of their attraction to Obama's judicious and deeply conservative (with a small "c"!) turn of mind, you're joining up with those in your party who have chosen to stick their fingers in their ears and mouth culture-war slogans from the 60s instead of taking on the hard work of reimagining conservatism for the 21st century. You people don't belong in the same party as Colin Powell, or David Brooks, or George Will, or David Frum, or Kathleen Parker, or Chris Buckley. When your Republican party has finally finished running itself into the ground (won't be long now!), I can only hope they pick it up and make it theirs again.

How in the world do you infer from that quote that "Powell told Brokaw that race played a part in his decision." Keep blathering, Mr. Billings. The more you blather, the deeper it gets. Sheesh.

In the past Colin Powell has endorsed both Bush campaigns, and last time I checked the Bushes are WHITE. Now he is endorsing Barack Obama because he's the best person for the job, not because of the color of his skin.

I'm white and I'm voting for Barack Obama because he's the best person for the job. I'm not voting for McCain because he is an angry man with poor judgment, who has one foot in the grave, and an idiot for a running mate.

Why are McCain and his supporters such angry people?

This sour grapes assessment is belied by Powell's stringent rebuke of John McCain.

Powell was strong in criticizing the GOP ticket for:

* the conduct of McCain's campaign
* the shift of the party too far right
* McCain's dismal failure to cope with the economic crisis
* the selection of the woefully inadequate Pailn as running mate

Darn right Powell would have endorsed Obama had he been white. Powell would endorse just about anyone else over McCain at this point, as have many prominent conservatives who are also appalled.

Despite hiding behind the weasel words 'some would say' instead of asking the question directly Brokaw held Powell to a different standard than white former Secretaries of State have been held to.
Has Madeline Albright ever been asked by Brokaw or Couric whether she supported John Kerry because he is white? Has Henry Kissinger been asked by the networks whether his support for John McCain is motivated by the color of McCain's skin? Why should Sec. Powell be asked to answer a stupid question like that when he already is stating reasons familiar to those who should know of prominent conservative support for Obama.

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.

Soooooo, as he DID NOT do it 6,8,10 months ago, race was not the reason he chose to endorse Senator Obama now. Powell was very careful to explain the reasons for his endorsement as per my previous post.

I guess we can assume Mr. Billings is supporting McCain and presumably supported Bush because they are white. Please spare us your reactionary simplistic politics.

I guess McCain wasn't looking for the feminist vote when he picked Palin, he was looking for the sexist vote.

Come to think of it, that's what he got.

When I first read the comments from Mr. Billings, I was taken back.

Could the state the I'm raising my daughters in be that backward? Or, perhaps the place that I've called home since 1989 isn't filled with the pleasent, caring well intended people that I apparently mistook as "mainers." ..... Mr. Billings way of thinking is narrow-minded, racist and not in keeping with those who would like to believe that man has evolved. Not so much evolved from apes, as evolved from the hateful tones that caused this nation to be so devided.
Rest assured Mr. Billings, I don't disagree with you because you're white, but because you're so wrong. Wrong about Gen. Powell and wrong on where you're trying to divide this country.

However, I've found comfort (by reading this blog) that I was basically right about the general (pleasent) mindset of "mainers."

Fear and loathing. I find it bold of you to assume that a guy with a resume like that would base his decision - and craft his eloquent, reasoned endorsement, no less - on race. While many Americans DO derive their allegiance from a source not far from a team sports mentality (think Red Sox - Yankees), I think I'm going with Mr. Powell's experience on this one. Way to dump a lifetime of service into the gutter just to sound faithful to your party on the internet.

By the way, didn't he explain in very clear terms that he has serious concerns with direction of the Republican party? Are his concerns--and those of many thoughtful conservatives out there these days--unjustified? Is there no room for pressure from within the two parties for reforms that might get us all to a better place in the future? And let's not also assume he's politically naive. Of course he knew these assaults would come immediately after the endorsement. He's a brave guy who has enough perspective in this life to jump the line for something he sees to be promising for America.

You going to cite Gingrich on that one?

I firmly believe that people like Mr. Billings simply cannot get their minds around the idea that we blacks just might like the candidate and the message he has to officer. Since most African-Americans vote the Democratic ticket, I don't know what alternative universe he has occupied. If Hillary Clinton had won the Democratic nomination, many if not most of us would have voted for her because of the high stakes involved. Back in 2004, we had a chance to support Al Sharpton but most of us did not feel he was presidential material.

While I am sure that Colin Powell was happy to support a fellow black, he had other very sound reasons--such as Obama's temperament, his intellectual depth, and the understanding of the world we live in during the 21st century. I seriously doubt that he would have support just anyone because he or she is black.

He outlined the reasons for not endorsing McCain without getting too personal. As far as I am concerned, he is the true "maverick" for rejecting the extremism of his party.

Colin Powell is racist. Could you imagine if McCain were a black Republican and Powell endorsed a white liberal nobody who sat in the church that was racist and bigoted, attended a Klan rally (Louis Farakkklan)? His decision is nullified for what it is - a racist mulatto supporting another racist mulatto.

As a native Mainer, I am shocked to read that Mr. Billings would respond in such thoughtless and childish manner to a Four Star General's endorsement, as if General Powell put little to no thought into his decision. I would dare assume Gen. Powell has seen far more of the world on a much broader spectrum then Mr. Billings. For Mr Billings, or anyone for that matter, to so trivialize Mr. Powell's choice because it was apparently not the one they'd hope for is out and out pouting! Such childish rationalization, Mr. Billings, is an embarrassment to the entire State of Maine. Shame on you!

Collin Powell certainly has the right to endorse whoever he wishes for President of the USA. The point I would like to make is that Powell himself stated right off that he is concerned at how the Republican Party is moving too far left and then proceeds to endorse the man farthest left, the man most liberal in AMERICA. If he isn't endorsing Hussein based solely on race, I am baffled because if he really is concerned about the Republican Party moving left than he himself would want to vote as far right as possible and the only choice he has is John McCain/Sarah Palin....that is unless race is more important than his own personal beliefs.

Hard to believe? Got the wrong end of the stick, ol' boy!

"Powell would endorse just about anyone else over McCain at this point": Perhaps Powell may NOT have found himself in a position to endorse a Democrat if Barack Obama hadn't been so successful. What if Obama had failed to generate the kind of furious, reckless boil that has characterized the McCain campaign?

Can anybody direct me to any pieces on this amazingly persistent behavior of emphasizing Barack Obama's middle name? Study abroad for all Americans!!!

It is obvious that you paid no attention to the content of what Colin Powell said. He explained in fine detail why he was supporting Obama's candidacy and it had to do with governance and leadership - NOT skin pigmentation.

But.. you can believe what you want. I do agree that it is just as bad to vote for someone for their race as it is to vote against someone because of their race. I believe there are many people who believe that Obama has demonstrated a far better command of the issues and much better judgment. You will probably say that all of them, including Powell are suffering from a mass race tinged delusion.

This is sad and incredibly arrogant.

You Republicans need to face reality. Your party is out of order & on the verge of something ugly. If you don't look into your selves & find a sole you will be lost for the next 16 years or so...In fact that may not be such a bad thing after all! It gives the democrats time to correct this country & put it on the right path!

The point I would like to make is that Powell himself stated right off that he is concerned at how the Republican Party is moving too far left and then proceeds to endorse the man farthest left, the man most liberal in AMERICA.

Um...if by "left," you mean "right," then I guess you have a point. Perhaps you should go back and watch it again?

I thought Maine Republicans were more sensible than this. The argument made by Billings and others on this site are inane. Losers.

Seems strange when Joe Lieverman crossed party lines he wasn't called a racist. Joe was a Democratic not to long ago.

He left Obama's camp and went to McCains. Guess that settles it,
Lieberman is a racist. The Republicans are again grasping at straws.
Who else but drug addicted Limbaugh and Loving Sarah Palin Buchanan would find anything to question General Powell about, other than their jealousy. Seems to me they both have other things to worry about.

"If the Democrat nominee was not an African American, Powell wouldn't have even been talking to him or her -- let alone endorsing him or her. If Hillary had won the nomination, Powell would not have endorsed her."

Gosh, can you pick a lottery number for me? You seem to be able to predict the future.

Think for one minute. Could it be that Powell felt, as many of us do, that America has been so screwed up by the ideology of the past 8 years he felt he needed to endorse this extremely smart leader? Could it be that he feared more of the NeoCon ideology and the impending incompetence indicated by what he has seen McCain doing with his campaign, with his choice of VP, with his ability to be cool and articulate under pressure?

You obviously were not listening to what Powell had to say. You heard what you wanted to hear. Listen again. And think of your kids if you have any.

...is like watching Blazing Saddles with the funny bits removed.

I knew that 'race'was in this election ever since it started.Sad for america.but true.Racisiam will never end.This election will be the worst election ever held in america,because it is not about policies,It is about race.OH well, another 4 years of nothing.Time to go back to work.see ya!

The reason Colin Powell switched parties and endorsed Obama had nothing to do with race. He endorsed Obama because John McCain completely sucks, and his choice of Sarah Palin as a running mate puts the country at risk. John McCain is the worst candidate you Republicans have had since Herbert Hoover.

Give it up. Obama will be our next president, and you know it. At least Powell has the sense to back the winning team.

By the way, I'm white, and I'm an Obama backer. By your logic, I should have backed the old white man.

Mr. Billings, you have completely and deliberately misinterpreted the following statement made by former Secretary Powell regarding the impact of race on his decision: "If I had only that in mind, I could have done this six, eight, 10 months ago." The most simple of minds can understand this means that Powell was determined NOT to endorse Barack Obama because of their shared ethnicity. Instead, he waited to see the types of campaigns Senators McCain and Obama ran, including the extraordinarily important vice presidential choice. Powell is not alone in the GOP in his assessment of Governor Palin as an unacceptable choice to be a heartbreak away from the Presidency. You have no defensible grounds for assuming an American hero like Colin Powell was motivated by racial bias other than the color of Secretary Powell's skin. With your comments, Mr. Billings, you merely expose your own predilection for prejudice. Shame on you.

It's well known that bigots obsess excessively about race and insert it into situations where it is not even a factor. But I don't think Mr. Billings honestly believes what he says. I think he is lying. He is using this claim solely as a way to change the subject from the actual reasons Colin Powell cited for supporting Obama. Mr. Billings is doing this because, as a Republican party activist, it is crushing to have a nationally known Republican, Colin Powell, leave his party and support a Democrat for President. Because Mr. Billings cannot or refuses to address the very specific issues Colin Powell cited for his defection (much of which is his disgust at the recent tactics of McCain), Billings must go 4th grade in the playground and do some good old Maine race-baiting. This is classic ad hominem from Mr. Billings and it is shameful. Basically, he says we (us white folk) can ignore all that Colin Powell says because, you know, those darkies stick together.

Nice job, Dan. Keeping aiming high. That moral high ground must look good from up there.