Gen. Colin Powell’s endorsement of Barack Obama for president on Meet the Press this morning gives Obama the buttressing he needs around the issue of his weak experience on foreign policy and lack of military cachet, especially vital to him in these waning, gut-checking days of the campaign. Even Joe Biden couldn’t deliver what Powell can and does. That’s good news for Sen. Obama.
Even more impressive, Republican Colin Powell condemned the outright lies and racist utterances promoted by McCain supporters, which his friend Republican Sen. John McCain himself has only passively disavowed.
Gen. Powell was direct in assessing Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s lack of qualifications to be president on day one, and he was pointed in questioning John McCain’s judgment in selecting Palin as a running mate.
His forthright critique of Sen. McCain’s faltering campaign does much to restore the good standing of former Secretary of State Colin Powell among many who are still stung with disappointment from his team player performance as a cabinet member in President George Bush’s administration.
Powell’s endorsement of Obama has been speculated on, if not anticipated, since the protracted ending to the Democratic primary last April and May and June. By breaking his silence about his support for Obama, Powell quietly restored the faith and respect I had for him as a reasoned and deliberate thinker, a fair and reliable judge of any issue threatening our national defense and our reputation around the world. Some of that faith I had in Powell was undermined by his soldier’s loyalty to Bush and his attempt to justify his pre-emptive attack on Iraq, based on unverified accounts of presence of weapons of mass destruction.
Now that he has acted independently to express his preference for Democrat Sen. Obama for president and, particularly, because he has rightly denounced and rejected the unchecked racist pronouncements by McCain supporters, Gen. Colin Powell re-emerges as an appealing figure who many Americans once had the audacity to hope would seek the presidency and bring the country together across racial and party lines. It is worth noting at this already historic moment that there are two men of African heritage on the national political scene who have enormous popular appeal among the masses to become president of the United States. Powell missed his opportunity to be our nation’s once and future king, but his well reasoned argument for supporting Obama puts him in an influential position to be a kingmaker.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Thoughts on the final debate
Most network polls conducted after the debate tonight give Sen. Barack Obama the winning advantage, but even as an Obama supporter, I say it was great to see Sen. John McCain finally come alive and respond freely to questions.
His previous scripted and rehearsed performances have so far kept me from believing in him as a man whose sensitivity to his immediate environment did not extend beyond a muffled sneer or vein bulging in his neck.
Tonight , McCain gave the audience a flashback to the aggressive McCain of old, someone who was ready to immediately pounce on his opponents and knock their ideas to the ground with a left hook out of nowhere.
The only difference in McCain these days is that while he is ready to throw a punch, the force behind it has been diminished by the amount of false accusation it has to travel thorough before it reaches his opponent. If Sen. McCain Cain would speak honestly maybe he could gain some ground
His previous scripted and rehearsed performances have so far kept me from believing in him as a man whose sensitivity to his immediate environment did not extend beyond a muffled sneer or vein bulging in his neck.
Tonight , McCain gave the audience a flashback to the aggressive McCain of old, someone who was ready to immediately pounce on his opponents and knock their ideas to the ground with a left hook out of nowhere.
The only difference in McCain these days is that while he is ready to throw a punch, the force behind it has been diminished by the amount of false accusation it has to travel thorough before it reaches his opponent. If Sen. McCain Cain would speak honestly maybe he could gain some ground
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Quick thoughts on last night's debate 10082008
Some quick thoughts on last night's debate ibetween Obama and McCain in Nashville:
Obama appeared more presidential than McCain. He improved his performance from the Rick Warren interview, for example, by shortening his answers and making a connection with middle America- emphasizing that economy, energy, and education were kitchen table issues that he was immersed in thinking about and already responsibile for improving. However, McCain spouted a lot of filler, especially beating the American exceptionalism drum--Americans are the best workers, best producers, best citizens, etc.
McCain seemed to take more cues from Obama, repeating phrases and answers Obama said. McCain's answer to the last question is an example, when he repeated Obama's statement that what often impacts even defines a new president's term is the unexpected crisis, not necessarily the problems he faces taking office.
Obama was aggressive without being offensive, often standing up and starting toward the center of the stage even when McCain was asked to address the question first. Obama seemed eager, energetic.
In contrast, McCain seemed, well, erratic, walking halting back and forth on stage, circling and looking stiff or as if he might stumble.
McCain needs to drop the assertion that Obama is "green" by signaling to Pakistan that he would invade them. Obviously, McCain is twisting Obama's words; it doesn't work.
The biggest surprise was McCain's $300B plan for distressed homeowners...which came across as too little to late. Or too much too late according to late night commentaries which reported that even conservatives balked at McCain's new plan.
McCain's campaign made a wise choice in not fueling the anger of Obama and his supporters by bringing up the sludge of guilt by association, i.e., William Ayers or even Rev. Wright. Nonetheless, McCain seems like his campaign is out of gas.
Obama appeared more presidential than McCain. He improved his performance from the Rick Warren interview, for example, by shortening his answers and making a connection with middle America- emphasizing that economy, energy, and education were kitchen table issues that he was immersed in thinking about and already responsibile for improving. However, McCain spouted a lot of filler, especially beating the American exceptionalism drum--Americans are the best workers, best producers, best citizens, etc.
McCain seemed to take more cues from Obama, repeating phrases and answers Obama said. McCain's answer to the last question is an example, when he repeated Obama's statement that what often impacts even defines a new president's term is the unexpected crisis, not necessarily the problems he faces taking office.
Obama was aggressive without being offensive, often standing up and starting toward the center of the stage even when McCain was asked to address the question first. Obama seemed eager, energetic.
In contrast, McCain seemed, well, erratic, walking halting back and forth on stage, circling and looking stiff or as if he might stumble.
McCain needs to drop the assertion that Obama is "green" by signaling to Pakistan that he would invade them. Obviously, McCain is twisting Obama's words; it doesn't work.
The biggest surprise was McCain's $300B plan for distressed homeowners...which came across as too little to late. Or too much too late according to late night commentaries which reported that even conservatives balked at McCain's new plan.
McCain's campaign made a wise choice in not fueling the anger of Obama and his supporters by bringing up the sludge of guilt by association, i.e., William Ayers or even Rev. Wright. Nonetheless, McCain seems like his campaign is out of gas.
Labels:
Politics 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Vetting Gwen Ifill
Gwen Ifill is the author of the forthcoming book, “The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama." Ifill is a professional and accomplished journalist, respected within her profession and held in high regard by many in the political arena she covers with passion and reliable and objective analysis.
That is why the flap from some in the Republican Party who are raising questions about her objectivity as moderator of tonight's vice presidential debate, because she is writing a book on Black political progress that reasonably must consider Barack Obama, is disingenuine, at best, but characteristically hypocritical and repugnant. Afterall, this is the Party that tolerated the presidential campaign tactic that made Willie Horton famous.
There is no reason to believe that Gwen Ifill will be anything other than professional and objective. The Republicans, insinuating that Ifill will be swayed by racial considerations in favor of the Obama ticket, reveal their own racism and bigotry. As Keith Olberman pointed out, no one has raised the question of whether Ifill would be biased toward Sarah Palin because she is a woman. Worse is the conservatives willingness to insert race into the debate when their true concern is to protect Sarah Palin, who has so far appeared as a lightweight dancing around the ring in this heavyweight contest.
As moderator of PBS's Friday night political round up program, "Washington Week," and senior correspondent for "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer," Ifill regularly brings in depth analysis to the forefront with integrity and balance. It is evident, particularly on "Washington Week," that the only preference Ifill favors is toward great reporting and insight, and she presses to get the best and most complete analysis of a story or issue from the journalists surrounding her on each program.
Watching Gwen Ifill revel in her passion, reviewing America's political drama each week, is as satisfying as considering the various points of view contributed by her guests.
Gwen Ifill is unrivaled in her fire in the belly for getting the story and getting it right. In that regard, she brings to mind a titan of politcal junkie's who appreciated her talent and made a way for Gwen to enter the ranks at PBS, the late Tim Russert. She will perform with integrity tonight moderating the debate, and tomorrow night at the helm of her weekly show.
Personal notes...
I have watched Gwen Ifill for years, reading her at least twenty years ago when she wrote for a newspaper in my hometown of Baltimore. I have met other professional journalists who praise her, and a few years ago, I enjoyed hearing testimony about Gwen in her early days when she wrote for the Black newspaper, the Boston Banner, from publisher Melvin B. Miller.
I have met and talked with Gwen Ifill on two occasions, at a formal talk she gave at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. several years ago, where she impressed the audience with her authentic journalist's heart and stories from her experiences working in news media. The other time was by surprise, one humid summer night at a crowded festival in a New Haven park, where Ifill stood on a dusty patch of ground up against a fence, and under the bright camera lights, conducting an interview with Ned Lamont, who was campaigning in his ultimate successful challenge of Sen. Joe Liberman in the Democratic primary two years ago.
Ifill took time to talk with me and an associate after her interview, sharing more of her genuine enthusiasm for reporting--in studio or even better out among people, where she liked to hear how the every day person interprets the politcal events of the day. She was tired, hot, perspiriing like everyone else, and loving the moment, exuding the same real excitement she does on tv. But unlike many things on the tube, Gwen Ifill was and is for real.
That is why the flap from some in the Republican Party who are raising questions about her objectivity as moderator of tonight's vice presidential debate, because she is writing a book on Black political progress that reasonably must consider Barack Obama, is disingenuine, at best, but characteristically hypocritical and repugnant. Afterall, this is the Party that tolerated the presidential campaign tactic that made Willie Horton famous.
There is no reason to believe that Gwen Ifill will be anything other than professional and objective. The Republicans, insinuating that Ifill will be swayed by racial considerations in favor of the Obama ticket, reveal their own racism and bigotry. As Keith Olberman pointed out, no one has raised the question of whether Ifill would be biased toward Sarah Palin because she is a woman. Worse is the conservatives willingness to insert race into the debate when their true concern is to protect Sarah Palin, who has so far appeared as a lightweight dancing around the ring in this heavyweight contest.
As moderator of PBS's Friday night political round up program, "Washington Week," and senior correspondent for "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer," Ifill regularly brings in depth analysis to the forefront with integrity and balance. It is evident, particularly on "Washington Week," that the only preference Ifill favors is toward great reporting and insight, and she presses to get the best and most complete analysis of a story or issue from the journalists surrounding her on each program.
Watching Gwen Ifill revel in her passion, reviewing America's political drama each week, is as satisfying as considering the various points of view contributed by her guests.
Gwen Ifill is unrivaled in her fire in the belly for getting the story and getting it right. In that regard, she brings to mind a titan of politcal junkie's who appreciated her talent and made a way for Gwen to enter the ranks at PBS, the late Tim Russert. She will perform with integrity tonight moderating the debate, and tomorrow night at the helm of her weekly show.
Personal notes...
I have watched Gwen Ifill for years, reading her at least twenty years ago when she wrote for a newspaper in my hometown of Baltimore. I have met other professional journalists who praise her, and a few years ago, I enjoyed hearing testimony about Gwen in her early days when she wrote for the Black newspaper, the Boston Banner, from publisher Melvin B. Miller.
I have met and talked with Gwen Ifill on two occasions, at a formal talk she gave at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT. several years ago, where she impressed the audience with her authentic journalist's heart and stories from her experiences working in news media. The other time was by surprise, one humid summer night at a crowded festival in a New Haven park, where Ifill stood on a dusty patch of ground up against a fence, and under the bright camera lights, conducting an interview with Ned Lamont, who was campaigning in his ultimate successful challenge of Sen. Joe Liberman in the Democratic primary two years ago.
Ifill took time to talk with me and an associate after her interview, sharing more of her genuine enthusiasm for reporting--in studio or even better out among people, where she liked to hear how the every day person interprets the politcal events of the day. She was tired, hot, perspiriing like everyone else, and loving the moment, exuding the same real excitement she does on tv. But unlike many things on the tube, Gwen Ifill was and is for real.
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