Move over Tina Fey, the greatest moment in television history (for this election season anyway) occurred live on Sunday morning.
(And it proved what I’ve known all along: I have the most intelligent readers on the web.)
I have a love/hate relationship with Colin Powell. I believe he is one of the greatest military minds of any time and that intelligence translated amazingly well into the private sector when he entered the political sphere. He was one of the few Republican leaders I trusted and I found his ability to strengthen non-partisan politics extremely reassuring.
Then came word of torture talks in my White House. I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t disappointed. Devastated.
I go back and forth on the concept of defining a man – any man – by one instance in their lives. My gut tells me that Colin Powell regrets his involvement, if any, in such shameful events. That blemish will be tied to the necks of all of those participants until the end of their days.
But I can’t discount the decades of service he offered this nation. I can’t forget the leadership he maintained in the Army and the lives saved because of this leadership. None of us can.
So when word started to leak that Powell would not only endorse this past weekend, but likely endorse Obama, my heart swelled.
If there is one sure way for Powell to redeem himself, it’s to redeem this country. I hope this endorsement is the beginning of a long standing relationship between Powell and the Obama White House. No one knows more intimately what got us into this military mess, and I believe no one has a greater ability to find resolution. The left got far more than a boost of support with this endorsement. The whole nation received a most valuable tool as we begin to rebuild.
More than another vote for Obama, Powell defined so brilliantly the reasons why Obama is the better Presidential choice for him and this nation at this very pivotal time.
“I watched Mr. Obama and I watched him during this seven-week period. And he 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.”
Knowing their history (Powell and McCain’s), one can only imagine how difficult it was to come to these conclusions:
“In the case of Mr. McCain, I found that he was a little unsure as to deal with the economic problems that we were having and almost every day there was a different approach to the problem. And that concerned me, sensing that he didn’t have a complete grasp of the economic problems that we had.”
“I was also concerned at the selection of Governor Palin. She’s a very distinguished woman, and she’s to be admired; but at the same time, now that we have had a chance to watch her for some seven weeks, I don’t believe she’s ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president.”
But far more than the why not’s on McCain’s side and the why’s on Obama’s, Powell spoke a truth that each and every American needs to hear and hear again:
“I’m also troubled by, not what Senator McCain says, but what members of the party say. And it is permitted to be said such things as, “Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim.” Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim, he’s a Christian. He’s always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer’s no, that’s not America. Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president?”
For months, in living rooms and at water coolers all over this country, Obama supporters have shouted that ‘Obama’s a Christian! Obama’s a Christian!’ when they should have been demanding ‘This is America and it doesn’t matter what God you pray to, if you’re a Hindu, Jew, Buddhist, Atheist…you’re an American, period.’ That’s the only qualification when it comes to service to this country.
When the hell did we lose sight of this simple truth?
On November 4th we regain our vision.
On November 4th we redefine our priorities.
On November 4th we repeat the words of long ago:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal”.
On November 4th we reclaim our nation.
6 comments
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October 20, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Teresa Lea
Wasn’t it awesome!! I was in the kitchen listening while I cooked breakfast and kept saying “WOW!” …. “WOW!”
What he said seemed so honest, forthcoming and unrehearsed, it was almost touching. When he said the bit about this not just being an incredible time for blacks but for all Americans, it was SOOO true. I spent the day telling my girls to try and remember this, because one day their children will come home from school and ask them if they remember when President Obama was elected.
I went over to my ultra conservative father and asked if he had seen it, my mother replies “Of course he did! He’s black!” and my father says “It will snow in hell before that man becomes president!”
Good for them, I can’t pick my family.
Bring on the snow, bitches.
October 20, 2008 at 4:45 pm
psychmamma
Wonderful post. Wonderfully said. I have great respect for Colin Powell and I was so glad to hear his obviously well thought-out and well stated thoughts. We are already making plans with friends to hopefully go to D.C. for Obama’s inauguration. Even though J will just be three, we want her to be there as history is made.
October 20, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Insta-Mom
I am so glad this endoresement came with facts behind it, with sound thinking, and with clear judgment. People have spread far too many lies and far too much hate in this election. So many people needed to hear what he had to say–I just hope they listened.
October 20, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Maura
It was an incredible statement on his behalf and I’ve never been so happy to be wrong — I was in the camp thinking he wouldn’t endorse either of them. I thought of too many what-ifs, I believe. Yesterday was a wonderful day and, I hope, a real turning point in this election.
@Teresa Lea – we’ve never met but I think I might have fallen a little bit in love with you over your comment above. “Bring on the snow, bitches” indeed!
October 20, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Laura
I was so thrilled with the Colin Powell endorsement. I really respect him, as he’s always seemed like an independent thinker and honest person who is generally concerned with the welfare of the country. This is a huge win for the Obama campaign — and those of us who support it.
October 21, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Anna See
wooohooo! this is awesome!