General Powell had positive things to say about both candidates, yet feels Obama is a better pick. According to General Powell, it was the handling of the economic crisis that made him decide where his support would go. In a press release General Powell comments, stating that Obama has a "calm, intellectual, steady approach that we need in this country." He also made the point that Obama has reached a different generation, and encouraged participation from a very diverse group of people. His arguments are rather compelling.
The question has been about change. Who will bring the best change. For many of my friends, their main concern is foreign relations and how the rest of the world views the US. They feel that Obama is more diplomatic and fear that McCain's "passion" may misrepresent peaceful interaction, and fuel the decline of respect in our international community. For my other friends who support McCain, they fundamentally disagree with the policies of the Obama campaign. They also fear that considering our current situation in the middle east, that Obama may be not have a realistic approach to strategy and negotiations.
Both sides of the coin are valid. Both candidates bring different strengths. It is our choice to decide what issues are the most important to us, and who will address our current issues in the most positive manner. Though I have to admit, General Powell's endorsement is a big hit to the McCain campaign in the "midnight hour."
3 comments:
As a still undecided voter, I must admit that Powell's endorsement is very persuasive. I have said for many years that I wished Powell would run for President.
It does raise questions for me at the same time though. Honestly, why has a republican endorsed a democrat? Is it race? does he have personel knowledge of McCain that makes him hesitant to support him? It is no secret that Powell and Bush do not see eye to eye on things, does that influence the nomination?
While I agree that Obama has a more calm resolve about him that could be beneficial to his foreign policy decisions, I am skeptical about that being the determining factor.
Although McCain is portrayed as "hot-headed", we must remind ourselves that he has shown the capacity to set aside his emotions for the greater good. For example, Pres. Clinton credits McCain for normalizing relations with Vietnam. Without McCain's efforts, that would have never happened. Given his history with Vietnam (certainly a very emotional and personal topic), McCain still found away to set aside his emotions and do what needed to be done. That says a lot.
There is an inescapable pattern that follows endorsements of Obama from the right (or moderate in this case). His argument for Obama seems pretty weak and vacuous if you ask me. During the financial crisis Obama had a "calm, intellectual, steady approach that we need in this country." Which ended up with what? The same position McCain took and voted upon the issue. He was calmer and more eloquent about it maybe? That sounds incredibly weak. General Powell hasn't been in Obama's behind the door meetings with advisor and has no idea about his demeanor outside of meeting him a few times in person and watching on television.
Obama does reach a different generation, but that's not a good reason to vote for him. Regardless, that generation largely stays home on election day.
To continue with some of the Obama endorsements from right-minded people (Christopher Buckley comes to mind). It has more to do with "feelings" than agreement on policy which I cannot comprehend in the least bit. As you said, They "feel" that Obama is more diplomatic. Feel being the keyword, rather than looking at the issues and deciding based on that.
"Calm, intellectual, steady approach"...Is that synonomous with withdrawn observation of what everyone else is doing?
At the same time, Powell would not endorse a candidate that he believed was a threat to our national security; so, the endorsement does put the "terrorist" accusations in a less relevant category of consideration.
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