Pajamas Media

194 Comments

1. Ken:

Mr. Shaw, you are not a “former” RINO, you are a RINO now. Rush was right, what is the point of electing Republicans that vote like Democrats, or in the case of Colin Powell, openly SUPPORTS the other side in the biggest election in 40 years? McCain was Powell’s kind of guy and the were friends for years, in the end Powell stabbed him in the back, going for the most liberal candidate in history. Why in hell’s name would we want to give him a chance at a replay? Powell claims to be a Republican and then 2012 comes along and he supports Obama again? How does that help the cause? People like you are nuts. You lead no one, you inspire no one, you are Democrat lite. George Bush won 2 elections because Rove had the sense to get out the base. The base of the party will not follow people like you because your principals are based on what you think is “popular”. Of course you are wrong because if anything, the conservative view prevails on many major issues within the electorate. If a candidate would articulate them they would win.

May 21, 2009 - 11:37 pm 2. BPT:

Um. Didn’t he vote for Obama? That was smart. I think he tried dig his own grave. And America’s.

May 22, 2009 - 1:03 am 3. JHM dba ''Internet Critic":

All a fruit of wombschoolin’ I suppose it must be, Mr. Bones, this knee-jerk contempt for moderates and moderation.

Master Narky Dexter [1] has been raised so that he scarcely recognizes the existence of dissent and heresy and _kufr_ except in the same high-and-dry way that one recognizes that there must be something or another on the backside of the moon.

The same syndrome accounts for that automatic neocomradely contempt for ‘empathy’ that the same patients have been exhibitin’ of late.

“Why travel when I am already here?” asked the Boston Brahmin lady. Narky thinks that same happy thought, but ideologically rather than geographically.

All very promising for us l*b*r*l fiends, is it not, Mr. Bones?

Happy days.

___
[1] Narcissus Q. Dexter, member of the 1994 graduatin’ class at WNU, Wombschool Normal University, with a B.S. degree in chicagonomics and bigmanagement.

May 22, 2009 - 2:01 am 4. Steve:

Colin Powell is a Leftist Democrat.

He believes in institutionalized racial discimination against white woking class and middle class people.

Screw him, stinking RACIST! Let him stay where he belongs.

May 22, 2009 - 2:59 am 5. Gary Ogletree:

Old news, Jax. Rush has seen the error of his ways. Although appointed Leader of The Party by the White House and media, in an admirable fit of contrition The Doctor of Democracy has stepped down and named the General who endorsed Obama as the new Leader. Supporters of darling Sarah Palin are having a good laugh.

May 22, 2009 - 3:04 am 6. Fred Beloit:

This is probably futile, but one feels compelled to try to help a fellow Repub out. Just for a moment, Jazz, take a deep breath and ponder this: Powell voted for Obama and favors Obama now. Do you understand that means Powell must have perceived that McCain was not far enough left to be a satisfactory President?
Does Powell believe, one wonders, that there is room in the Republican party for Obama, as well as himself? Let him then declare it. “Yes people, Obama could make a fine Republican.” Is that right?

May 22, 2009 - 3:11 am 7. Steve:

Blacks will never vote Republican is any substantial numbers. They perceive the Democrat Party to be anti white and vote accordingly.

Republican policy should not cater to any discrminatory policy against any race but should simply contimplate and represent what is right for ALL Americans.

May 22, 2009 - 3:14 am 8. Bob:

Litmus test? How about endorsing the Republican ticket? That would seem to me to be a minimum requirement for any Republican, especially when the ticket wasn’t exactly a conservative dream but the so-called “maverick” John McCain. Rather than blame the conservatives for losing elections, maybe we should blame “Republicans” like Colin Powell, who endorsed and voted for the other team. Powell was disillusioned, and probably rightly so, with the Bush administration after he was their point man on Saddam’s WMDs, that even Saddam thought existed but didn’t. At best, General Powell is an independent (”I vote for the candidate, not the party”), but there is no reason on earth to mislabel him as a Republican.

May 22, 2009 - 3:59 am 9. Valerie:

I remember Patrick Buchannan’s “red meat” speech to the Republican convention. At the time, I thought they’d lost the election, by turning off a huge swath of reasonable voters.

You cannot hold elective office without securing the votes of people in the middle of the political spectrum.

May 22, 2009 - 4:15 am 10. Old Soldier:

Sure – Powell can lead the Socialist wing of the GOP. Make him party chairman, that sound you hear is all the members heading for the doors. It would make it easy to form a real conservative party – a party with leadership that represents the members.

May 22, 2009 - 4:24 am 11. cedarhill:

His job title is “Jester in Chief”.

And you have to love his strategy beliefs – “overwhelming force”. He would have lost all wars prior to the first Gulf War because he would never have had enough troops. Imagine Powell crossing the Delaware.

May 22, 2009 - 4:30 am 12. Vaughn:

Powell belongs in the camp of ‘nothings’. Not Black, not White, not a Republican, not a Democrat. Stand up for something or get the hell off the stage, Colin. Go play checkers with ‘Stormin Norman’. I bet he’ll let you win occasionally.

May 22, 2009 - 4:36 am 13. chris in Toronto:

“Well sir, if you are the 21st century face of the GOP, then I hope you keep losing elections until the old party has died off completely.” — Jazz Shaw.

I guess you speak for Republicans. Because all Republicans hope to lose elections. Res ipsa loquitur.

May 22, 2009 - 4:37 am 14. davidingeorgia:

Sure thing…just never turn your back on the guy. Colin Powell has never been a member of anything other than the What’s Best For Colin Powell’s Career Club.

May 22, 2009 - 4:44 am 15. Carl:

“The 21st century face of the GOP” is a black ego maniac that was raised to, and has cheerfully spent his entire life embracing and advancing an intense hatred of white people, the Jewish race and the United States of America. His name is Barrack Hussein Obama, the same one that is now pulverizing every aspect and part of our society with destruction and fear.

That is what you get when the elected stewards of the GOP create all kinds of special little rooms that “officially” allow them to throw the Constitution and God out in order to join the liberal Democrats celebration of every abnormal, immoral, perverse, repulsive and sicko behavior known to the human race.

Colin Powell, like a pea in a pod has a different face no matter which way you turn him. By endorsing Obama he politically slit his own throat. Goodbye and good riddance. He, nor anyone that defends him are not welcome in the real tapestry of America, nor the GOP. Get used to it Mr. Shaw.

May 22, 2009 - 4:46 am 16. colin wilkinson:

Lets not forget Nelson Rockefeller’s spending and development plans in the 60’s had a lot to do with destroying the financial foundations of both the city and state governments of New York. New york City almost declared bankruptcy in 1976 when the bonds for Nelson’s projects started coming due.

May 22, 2009 - 5:00 am 17. Terry Gain:

Hello. He voted for Obama. He remained silent while the Justice department went after the Bush White House for his deputy’s leak of Plame. He was a useless SOS. He attacks Republicans and has nothing to say about the damage Obama is doing to the country. He’s the quintessence of overrated.

Unless the GOP is interested in suicide there can be no place in he party for the likes of Powell.

May 22, 2009 - 5:02 am 18. EMF:

Yes, Just another RHINO that needs to put out to pasture. What really gets me is that if President Reagan and the Two President Bush’s, C. Powell would be just another retire military officer living on his pension and remembering the glory days. And he thanks them with a knife in the back. Such loyalty.

May 22, 2009 - 5:06 am 19. middleagedpatriot:

Jazz,

RINO’s like you and Powell are simply stated “turncoats” and need to be clearly and decisively dismissed from the party. Period. If you want to be democrats, go be democrats. They took Spector they’ll take you and Powell.

May 22, 2009 - 5:14 am 20. Northern Light:

Ronald Reagan was a former New Deal Democrat. He quoted FDR in his acceptance speech at the 1980 Republican convention. The Gipper kept a bust in the Oval Office of one of his heros, Harry Truman.

Dwight D. Eisenhower didn’t offically join the Republican Party until just before his first campaign. As soon as he became President he slapped down Joe McCarthy. As he was leaving office in 1960 he warned people about “The Military Industrial Complex.”

Richard Nixon began negotiations that led to US recognition of The People’s Republic of China. Nixon was the first US president to travel to China and met cordially with Communist leaders.

Should conservatives have thrown these RINOs out of the party? (O.K., it might have been a good idea to throw Nixon out)

May 22, 2009 - 5:17 am 21. David Thomson:

“Might it not be more productive to simply be grateful to have gotten hold of the governor’s mansion once again?”

Not in the least bit. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s brand of wimpy Republicanism has only worsened the economic situation of California. And guess who gets the blame? I am fed up with American voters being angry at the GOP because of his feckless leadership. And why are we even discussing Colin Powell—who most assuredly will support Barack Obama in 2012? This doesn’t make the slightest bit of sense. The retired general’s positions hardly seem Republican. As matter of fact, I doubt very much if Powell could even be described as a center-right Democrat.

May 22, 2009 - 5:24 am 22. sheesh:

If I were putting to together an army, if I needed a strong leader, if I wanted insight into geopolitics, if I wanted someone to negotiate with world leaders, if I wanted someone who could unite people and bring them to a common cause, if I wanted someone respected and admired around the world, if I wanted someone who could help others break down barriers by pointing to his own accomplishments, if I wanted someone with strong family values – who would I turn to – Rush or Colin? Rush or Colin? Rush or Colin? Oh, why does this have to be SO HARD? I don’t know. I’ll get back to you.

May 22, 2009 - 5:31 am 23. D-wah:

I thought this had to be a witty, satirical piece–no one could possibly be that thick. Unfortunately I kept reading. This is alarming.

Semi-colon Powell is virtually a plant–supplanting the GOP. I’ve never trusted him. He’s been disloyal to both Reagan, who brought him on board, as well as Bush. Now he’s clearly out to quickly steer everyone he can away from true constitutional conservatism–and what he considers “extreme” views that “aren’t in keeping with the times”.

He’s an opportunistic populist with the convictions of a twig blowing in the latest breeze. Maybe he was a good soldier, I don’t know. But he’s no statesman and certainly not one of us. He could be the party’s and conservatives’ biggest enemy. The ones on the inside are always the most dangerous. “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”

A fair weather “friend” is no friend at all. Rush is right. You’re wrong. And your defensiveness should have been a signal to you. “Don’t stand in the doorway or block up the hall.” We’re on the move to take our country back by getting back to our foundation–the way it was intended. Everything else will follow. Stop daydreaming about Republicans being cool and popular again and having some new, catchy identity. That’s what got us in this mess. Wishy-washy man pleasing lack of conviction, heck, even KNOWLEDGE of what they believe.

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” Ep.4:14

By the way….that Powell endorsed Obama, the most anti-American “leader” to ever hold such a high position in this country..and he STILL doesn’t criticize him while he destroys the country…and you defend the guy?–and as a Republican? I’m still in shock. But I guess the GOP is filled with compromisers for advantage–hence their impotence.

That’s the trouble with trying to “make friends” and “win elections”. Principles really do get in the way, don’t they?!

May 22, 2009 - 5:47 am 24. sheesh:

23 D-wad . . . You have absolutely no understanding of America.

May 22, 2009 - 6:02 am 25. Fragmentarian:

What’s the problem? He’s still allowed to vote Republican but he’s lost all credibility as a Republican leader, hasn’t he? He made a choice to support the other party’s candidate based solely on race and not policy and he must live with that.

May 22, 2009 - 6:06 am 26. sheesh:

Let’s get right down to it . . . set aside petty political differences . . . really focus on the most critical issue of our day . . . what kind of mustard does Colin Powell prefer?

May 22, 2009 - 6:14 am 27. sheesh:

25. Fragmentarian: . . . “He made a choice to support the other party’s candidate based solely on race and not policy and he must live with that.”

Funny, I don’t remember Colin Powell supporting Jesse Jackson.

May 22, 2009 - 6:20 am 28. Spider79:

Your right Jazz. The GOP needs more leaders like Powell.

Some related thoughts. The LA Dodgers need more players like Manny Ramirez. Miss USA needs more judges Like Perez Hilton. The world needs more leaders like Ahmadenijad. Chrysler needs a bigger union presence.

May 22, 2009 - 6:28 am 29. Fred Beloit:

Sheets, your guidance counselor is very discouraged. She says she has pleaded with you to give up your feeble efforts in the fields of journalism, literature, comedy, and politics and plan exclusively for a career in lighthouse tending. You really ought to give her a closer hearing.

May 22, 2009 - 6:34 am 30. sheesh:

28 Spider 79 . . and more junkies like Rush, and more serial philanderers like Newt, and more welchers like Hannity, and more liars like Cheney.

May 22, 2009 - 6:37 am 31. sheesh:

29. Fred Benwah . . . Reduced to that are you? It must be tough to have such jealousy surge through your veins with no way to resolve it – no talent, no insight, no conviction. I know, I got to you. It’s common around here. Almost as common as the “you’re a high school kid in mom’s basement nanny nanny boo boo” dodge. Keep trying, I’m sure you’ll distinguish your thoughts some day.

May 22, 2009 - 6:43 am 32. Ms. Attitude:

Powell voted race, plain and simple.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell announced Sunday that he will be voting for Sen. Barack Obama, citing the Democrat’s “ability to inspire” and the “inclusive nature of his campaign.” -CNN

May 22, 2009 - 6:43 am 33. Ms. Attitude:

26. sheesh:
Let’s get right down to it . . . set aside petty political differences . . . really focus on the most critical issue of our day . . . what kind of mustard does Colin Powell prefer?

Geez Sheesh, we don’t know, why don’t you ask someone at MSNBC, this is the type of stuff they report on.

May 22, 2009 - 6:46 am 34. JACKH:

What has he DONE for the Republican party? What Republicans has he campaigned for? has he addressed anyone on why they should vote for the Republican party or explained why he is one?

I think General Powell is an opportunist.

May 22, 2009 - 6:50 am 35. Septimus:

For those of you reading this, who identify with the sentiments of the author, think Powell is an honorable man, and are tired of being called RINOs, there is a new home for you.
Come join us at modernwhig.org.
You will be welcome there.

May 22, 2009 - 6:59 am 36. sheesh:

33. Ms. Attitude . . . re: mustard . . . “Geez Sheesh, we don’t know, why don’t you ask someone at MSNBC, this is the type of stuff they report on.”

WRONG!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEzTl2Wd35o

May 22, 2009 - 7:02 am 37. TOhio:

Colin Powell and Arlen Specter are the same.
1) Me, Me, Me.
2) Be a Republican if it helps you politically.
3) Change parties and loyalties if it helps you politically.
4) Me, Me, Me.

I don’t like wishy-washy people like this. And I sure as heck don’t want them in the Republican Party. The Republican Party needs to be based on principled and passionate FISCAL CONSERVATISM. Anyone who doesn’t believe and espouse this needs to be booted from the party! These are the people who messed the party up to begin with.

P.S. I also think that Colin Powell endorsed Obama to help himself financially. Powell is a Strategic Limited Partner for venture capital firm KPCB and they have a portfolio of investments in areas like Pandemics, Green Technology, etc. It would be very interesting to know if somehow the Porkulus Bill had stuff in it that would help Powell and his friends make a boatload of money, too. Perhaps Colin Powell has learned a few little tricks from Al Gore?

May 22, 2009 - 7:06 am 38. elvis:

Rush for general?
Probably would be great.
Powell did lose the first gulf war for us.
So yes Rush for general… he likes to win.

Sheeesh is hysterical.
IS POWELL THE ONLY GENERAL OUT THERE?
How lame is this article and how lame is sheeesh?

May 22, 2009 - 7:12 am 39. Steve Clark:

Jazz,

Isn’t it silly to frame the debate as one over whether General Powell remains a Republican, or not? Isn’t it also a little disingenuous?

Would you be happy if Republicans like Limbaugh, his supporters, and the Republican party more broadly, simply ignored him, and in particular, his policy stances and recommendations, from now on? Isn’t this really about advocacy for a change in various Republican Party policies with Powell simply a stalking-horse? If so, why not just the address the specific policies? Or, is it really as superficial as you’ve seemed to frame it?

May 22, 2009 - 7:22 am 40. Ran:

The good general and all Rockefeller Republicans have a role to play in the new GOP?

Yes… as exemplars of abject failure, as negative role-models. Their role will not be the one of supplying substantive winning ideas.

We listened to the good General, we proffered-up his candidate and he endorsed the freakin’ Democrat. Fool me once and all that.

May 22, 2009 - 7:27 am 41. Fred Beloit:

#31 Sheets:
“Keep trying, I’m sure you’ll distinguish your thoughts some day.”

Thanks for the encouragement, but I don’t really understand your sentence. Do you mean tell one of my thoughts from another…or what?

One of my thoughts now is, “The guidance counselor is probably right.” Is that distinguished?

May 22, 2009 - 7:43 am 42. David:

The only role a Rockefeller Republican has to play is to remind us of the definition of RINO and to further reinforce that true Republican ideals are based on libertarian principles and our Constitution.

Powell deserves nothing but scorn and shunning.

May 22, 2009 - 7:48 am 43. sheesh:

38. elvis . . . “Powell did lose the first gulf war for us.”

Any Desert Storm vets out there who agree/disagree with this?

May 22, 2009 - 7:49 am 44. Greg:

Ouch–Ford was a honorable statesman in a difficult time. He did the right thing.

May 22, 2009 - 8:00 am 45. ajacksonian:

When will the Rockefeller-Republicans admit that more government power and influence in the economy is not something the Founders wanted. Hamilton did, but he also came forward with a Monarchial plan when the Constitutional Convention was convened. He would drop that and become a federalist famous in the Federalist Papers, but reading through the those on both sides of the Constitutional argument sees a depth and quality of criticism that Hamilton was not going to answer. His methodology to get a federal system in which the States did not have a strong power to put the federal government in check is cited by almost all the critics as a flaw in the Constitution.

Pushing for more and more of a government role is a concentration of power into fewer hands with less accountability and oversight. The role of government is equal administration of the laws, not ‘fairness’ or seeking to balance social scales via government fiat. To do that is to negate liberty for the common man, by making government biased and no longer letting it equally administer laws for the good of all. Moving from equal laws administered equally to ‘fair’ laws administered unequally, and then giving more power to government in economic realms drives a massive hole into the federal system and puts liberty for the common man at peril. That isn’t ‘fair’, this rewarding of some over others based on bias… and that is true before the civil rights movement and after it.

Taking up a ‘fair’ position is in no means ‘moderate’: it is a degree of advocacy to make outcomes unfair based on law. And I really don’t care what the party designation is for those advocating ‘fairness’, when it is equality of justice and equality under the law that we are to seek. No one said that was ‘fair’… but it makes understanding the system easier and results better understood than biased ‘fair’ systems do.

May 22, 2009 - 8:04 am 46. Wynne:

“Well sir, if you are the 21st century face of the GOP, then I hope you keep losing elections until the old party has died off completely. Let’s just hope that Powell is right and there is, in fact, a new version waiting to emerge once again.”
Jazz Pshaw, hoist on his own petard.

May 22, 2009 - 8:08 am 47. Ms. Attitude:

42. David:

The only role a Rockefeller Republican has to play is to remind us of the definition of RINO and to further reinforce that true Republican ideals are based on libertarian principles and our Constitution.

Powell deserves nothing but scorn and shunning.

Right on!!!

May 22, 2009 - 8:12 am 48. Old Soldier:

I was there – He talked Bush into stopping the war way too soon and made it a colossal waste of time. I saw part of the “Highway of Death” – it was a traffic jam of stolen Mercedes. Very few bodies there – most of the Iraqis had run away.

What Powell did is give more weight to “international opinion” and hysterical media reports then he did to reports coming from field commanders. He should have given Schwarzkopf couple more days to close the deal. At that point Saddam reportedly would have fled the country – if not we should have killed him.

May 22, 2009 - 8:18 am 49. Ms. Attitude:

How can Powell support Obama when everything Powell believes is against Obama’s beliefs.

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20010108/corn

It’s more proof that he voted race!

May 22, 2009 - 8:21 am 50. Dee:

Actually, I thought that Powell,etc., had already kicked me out of the party. After the election didn’t the RINOs insist we leave? I did.

May 22, 2009 - 8:25 am 51. suzyk:

Someone made the statement that “blacks will never vote for Republicans in large numbers”. That couldn’t be further from the truth. I live in a deep south state where there is a huge black population. We are a very red state. People enjoy low taxes and less government. Blacks are wonderful here (there are exceptions, of course, of both blacks and whites, obviously). The blacks here take pride in providing for themselves and not depending on the government. Those blacks are very conservative and want exactly what Conservatives like Rush promotes… Colin Powell thinks that people are mindless and need the government to tell them what to do, eat, say, etc. Thank God in heaven for Rush, Mark Levin and especially Dick Chaney. Powell go pound sand and take the McCains, Grahams and the like with you.

May 22, 2009 - 8:31 am 52. Ms. Attitude:

43. sheesh:

38. elvis . . . “Powell did lose the first gulf war for us.”

Any Desert Storm vets out there who agree/disagree with this?

I’m not a vet of the first Gulf War but I was married to a military member whose unit was deployed and now work for the DoD but I will answer your question. I agree with elvis because Powell’s decision to let Saddam remain in power in 1991 caused hundreds of thousands of adults and children to lose their lives and was a major rationale for Osama bin Laden’s conclusion that America did not have the stomach to win wars that require more than the 13-week period given TV pilots or that require more than 150 patriots sacrifice their lives.

In fact, his famous “Powell Doctrine” that states we should not go to war unless we can win quick with overwhelming force actually invites aggression that can’t be defeated Powell’s way.

As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs he had famously vowed, when asked about his military strategy against the Iraqi army in the Persian Gulf War of 1991:”First we’re going to cut it off, then we’re going to kill it.”

He failed to do so.

In 1991, when Saddam Hussein’s army was fleeing Kuwait, Colin Powell advised his Commander in Chief to let Saddam survive.

May 22, 2009 - 8:35 am 53. mcg:

You cannot hold elective office without securing the votes of people in the middle of the political spectrum.

Yes, but if your idea of how to do that is to run further to the left of them, then that makes you a Democrat.

May 22, 2009 - 8:37 am 54. jasons:

There is nothing conservative about the leftist Obama. Therefore, there is nothing remotely conservative about anyone who voted for Obama. Thus, Powell is not a consevative.

The Republican Party is a conservative party. Stop me when this line of reasoning becomes too complicated for you to follow, Mr Shaw.

May 22, 2009 - 8:44 am 55. Retro:

Colon’s “spot” in the GOP is right behind Arlen Specter’s – at the bottom of the Socialist heap – where he belongs. Colon is not and has never been a Repiblican.

May 22, 2009 - 8:45 am 56. Pablo:

Quoth Colin Powell:

“Americans are looking for more government in their lives, not less,” he said. “Americans do want to pay taxes for services.”

Sorry, Jazz. The GOP didn’t dump Powell. Powell dumped the GOP. He just enjoys the cachet that comes with not admitting it.

May 22, 2009 - 8:54 am 57. Angry Dumbo:

Does the name Richard Armitage mean anything to you?

The party that welcomes Powell welcomes Armitage.

May 22, 2009 - 8:59 am 58. deguello:

A spot for Powell on the GOP? Why not? I hear all the Mexican lavatory attendants are moving back to Mexico.

May 22, 2009 - 9:09 am 59. Chris:

If you want
-higher taxes
-bigger social spending
-a commitment to racial quotas
-a dormant military
-Barack Obama in the White House

there is a national Party that will deliver every time, and it ain’t the Republican Party.

May 22, 2009 - 9:13 am 60. eb:

There is no spot for a Democrat in the Republican party. Not a Democrat, who did he support in the election?

May 22, 2009 - 9:15 am 61. Matt:

Wow. Utterly tone deaf article. Really ? Powell’s still a republican ? Really ???

I’ll take Rush and Cheney over Powell and you and Frum any day of the week. Republicans/conservatives I know (ie they’re outside California, DC, New York and the RINO blogging bubble) are tired of the wishy washy spendy ways of the current GOP establishment.

Wonder how Powell’s enjoying Obama’s first term so far. Oh right, it doesn’t matter what Obama is doing, it matters Obama is black.

May 22, 2009 - 9:32 am 62. robtr:

Anyone who makes the statement “the American people want more government and are willing to pay higher taxes for it” like Colin Powell did is not only not a republican, he is delusional as the vote Tuesday in very blue California showed. Obama won because he promised alot of things he told people they “would not” have to pay for and he is borrowing us into a reduced credit rating to try and keep up his ponzi scheme.

May 22, 2009 - 9:34 am 63. Mel:

I remain absolutely incredulous that there are Republicans who actually suggest, as if they believe it, that Colin Powell types are the future of this party. Didn’t the party losses suffered while under the leadership of these soft Republican types (re: McCain and the ‘06 election) teach us that being a little less Democrat than the Democrats is the way to win?

I mean seriously, Colin Powell voted for a president who has an ATROCIOUS fiscal policy, which we saw coming from a mile away. At least we should give BO credit for taking over almost all of Bush’s foreign policy tactics (with the exception of doing nothing to stem nuclear proliferation among bully nations).

But what does the Republican party stand for if not individual liberty, fulfilled through economic freedom and protected property? What does the Republican party stand for if not individual liberty, fulfilled through free religious exercise? What does the Republican party stand for if not for individual liberty, fulfilled through calls to individual responsibility? How in the Hell does Colin Powell and Graham and McCain represent these values when they continuously move toward limiting individual liberty at the benefit of greater benefits as applied through a bigger government? How is that a call to excellence and not another way to win votes?

I think Powell and his thinking represent the death of the Republican party and its conservative principles. Those who wish to coninue to follow this losing formula will never see power again unless it’s to change their affiliation to Democrat, because Republicans will NEVER win again with a “little-less-Democrat” philosophy.

May 22, 2009 - 9:42 am 64. Middleman:

A was reading comments on another site’s article about the spat between Limbaugh and Powell and one person hit it right dead-center on the head.

If you have your choice between an upstanding career military man with a proven track record for serving his country, and a pill popper whose main purpose in life is ranting and raving- which one would you pick?

May 22, 2009 - 9:46 am 65. Brian Richard Allen:

With Two-Bucks-each-way “republicans,” such as the lifetime Republican-Party and Bush-Family blind-spots-occupying perfect example of all that’s wrong with affirmative action, (particularly for the sons of relatively well-to-do and 100% voluntary British immigrants) way above his (Private’s) pay grade perfumed princeling and Peter Principle’s permanent-poster-person, Powell? And the likes of this piece’s East-Coast Huddled-Masses-representative Rockefeller type “author?”

Sure as Hell don’t need any “Democrats.”

So while you’re on about kissing one-another’s fat arses: — yours and way-above-his-Private’s-pay-grade, Powell’s, too — on you way out, don’t let the Republican Party’s door dirty itself on either!

Brian Richard Allen
Registered (Reagan) Republican
Los Angeles – Califobambicated 90028
And the Far Abroad

May 22, 2009 - 9:50 am 66. Blackwell:

43, 52…

Ah, so the jacobin wing of the GOP wants nothing to do with an honorable man like Powel. Let’s chat:

Powell didn’t decide to leave Saddam in power: he bowed to reality: the allied arab states we were trying to help and who were fronting a big part of that war’s cost (George Bush I was a shrewd man even tho he raised taxes), did not want us to remove Saddam; lots of people here did not want to expend the money and lives to do so; it was a political decision and one very similar to Eisenhower’s decision not to take Berlin–he left that body count to the Russians. Powell’s decision was very common sense if not perfect. He is an honorable man, even if a bit soft on principles (what do you expect?–he’s a government employee).

The GOP needs to invite everyone it can into the tent. decent people with softer tones in principle are not the enemy. No movement in history got big by excluding people.

May 22, 2009 - 9:55 am 67. Jim Treacher:

Kind of like Bizarro saying Lex Luthor deserves a spot in the Super Friends.

May 22, 2009 - 9:58 am 68. Jim Treacher:

“If you have your choice between an upstanding career military man with a proven track record for serving his country, and a pill popper whose main purpose in life is ranting and raving- which one would you pick?”

The one who doesn’t endorse the socialist.

May 22, 2009 - 9:58 am 69. The Monster:

27. sheesh:
“He made a choice to support the other party’s candidate based solely on race and not policy and he must live with that.”

Funny, I don’t remember Colin Powell supporting Jesse Jackson.

Non Sequitur. Jesse Jackson (Sr.) has never received the Democrat nomination for so much as Dog Catcher, so he can’t ever have been “the other party’s candidate”. (I’m not aware of whether Powell ever supported his son’s candidacy.)

May 22, 2009 - 10:03 am 70. pomoc:

Powell was not thrown of the ship he pushed is way through a very large crowed and jump ,and I most definitely do not see to many life rings being thrown his way ,remember at sea many are lost and never scene again I Can only hope this is the case .

May 22, 2009 - 10:08 am 71. Self-hating Boomer:

Rockefeller Republicans are on thing. Fair-weather Republicans are another. What’s the point of romancing a group who will drop the party like Bill Clinton drops his pants when they hear some flowery words coming from across the fence?

May 22, 2009 - 10:13 am 72. BC3:

The thing about having a name/nickname like “Jazz” is that it’s easier for people to one’s remember stupid ideas. You seem to have more than your share. There’s already a party that’s perfect for you and Mr. Powell. It’s called the Democrats. Why not join it? Philosophically you already seem to be on board.

May 22, 2009 - 10:13 am 73. Spaulding:

Does General Powell deserve a spot in the Republican Party? Sure, why not? Republicans must be inclusive not exclusive. Republicans, like Democrats, come in all shapes and sizes including liberals and conservatives. If General Powell wants to be in the Republican Party that is fine with me though I find his choice of association odd given his vote for a very liberal president and commenting recently that Americans want more government. I would think he would feel more at home across the isle.

Least we forget, the Republican Party of the past fifty years has been dominated by the liberal wing (what many today call RINOs) of the party – Eisenhower, Nixon, Rockefeller, Baker, Dole, Bush (41) et al.. Conservatives such as Barry Goldwater, Ronald Reagan, Jack Kemp, Eric Cantor, et al. have been the exception rather than the rule.

The Republican Party is at a crossroads. The debate must not be over who is or is not a Republican as this argument meaningless. There is room for nearly all Americans under the Republican tent. The issue is whether the party continues with the same failed policies of the past twenty years or re-embraces Reagan conservatism. The GOP can either adopt the successful blueprint of the Lincoln-Reagan wing of the party or remain in the political boonies by sticking with the failed programs and policies of the Powell-Rockefeller-RINO wing of the party. This is the real choice that confronts Republicans.

Cheers

May 22, 2009 - 10:14 am 74. D-wah:

Jim Teacher 67–Bizarro pushing Lex Luther–perfect! Just that insane!

May 22, 2009 - 10:21 am 75. Ms. Attitude:

64. Middleman:

A was reading comments on another site’s article about the spat between Limbaugh and Powell and one person hit it right dead-center on the head.

If you have your choice between an upstanding career military man with a proven track record for serving his country, and a pill popper whose main purpose in life is ranting and raving- which one would you pick?

Here’s one for you: If you had to choose between an American Flag stomping terrorist or a preacher that preaches against the US and hates whites-which one would you pick?

May 22, 2009 - 10:27 am 76. Ms. Attitude:

64. Middleman:

And another one!

If you have your choice between an upstanding career military man with a proven track record for serving his country, and a nobody community service organzier- which one would you pick?

May 22, 2009 - 10:28 am 77. Gekkobear:

Ok, so he’s a good Republican.

He’s for more Government power, more taxes, more spending, more Government intrusion into peoples lives, against social conservatism, and mostly against any strong or non-pacifistic foreign policy…

Yep, we’re clearly wrong. Asking him to support some republican stance on something somewhere is asking too much.

If we just remove all standards, ideals, ideas, positions, or principles we can get back a majority with the (R) after their names again… and who cares about principles… right?

The goal isn’t to have conservative ideas, but to get that magic (R) in power. Who cares what the people attached to it actually think or do.

Big tent thinking, that’s the ticket.

May 22, 2009 - 10:32 am 78. SukieTawdry:

I’m not a Republican myself, but I recognize that the Republicans are all we conservatives have. There’s no future for us in the party if it’s taken over by Rockefeller “moderates.” And there’s no future for the Republican party without us. We can disagree among ourselves about the “social” issues (which many of us believe shouldn’t be a matter for government anyhow, certainly not the federal government), but we can not disagree on bedrock principles of Constitutional governance and Federalism. The party has to stand for something. Standing for “moderation” and the mushy middle is akin to standing for nothing.

And when will we grow past this populist impulse to throw stones at the governor of California? Is he a rank-and-file conservative Republican? Obviously not, but he never was, and we knew that going in.

No, but he did claim to worship at the feet of Milton Freedman which under the circumstances was good enough for me (the first time–he didn’t get my vote the second time out). Perhaps Republicans would win in California again if the party would develop and promote some decent talent. The state organization is beyond pathetic and so are most of the candidates it advances.

Powell ultimately is for Powell. I had hoped he would prove a better diplomat than warrior, but, alas, no. I think now he’s showing his true colors.

So, should someone who wholeheartedly embraces and supports Barack Obama, his methods, principles and goals be welcome in the Republican party? When you Republicans figure that out, let the rest of us know because if Powell’s in, I imagine most of us are out.

May 22, 2009 - 10:38 am 79. Middleman:

Ms. Attitude,
In regards to the first one. I choose None of the Above. You left that option out, it’s there.

In regards to the second, I would have picked the military man, until the military man’s handlers made him pick an unknown ultra conservative half-wit from the backwoods of Alaska. Suddenly community organizers seemed much more appealing.

May 22, 2009 - 10:41 am 80. Terry Gain:

Mindboggling. Barack Obama is in the process of destroying the American economy. Jazz Shaw and David Frum think Republicans need to focus on the alleged excesses of conservatives within their own party rather than Obama.

May 22, 2009 - 10:43 am 81. fnord:

Fascinating. So, its decided, then? No more moderate republicans ever? Rockefeller republicans are not wanted? Its a crusade against the socialist traitor usurper who isnt even a US citizen for the next 4 years? Are you all sure that choosing the torches-and-pitchfork modus is really smart?

For a party who has spent the last 8 years pledging allegiance to the flag and the war-president, it seems rather insane to kick out all your moderates and join the tea-party people in the race to obscurity. The rhetoric of the right in the US these days is getting more and more unhinged.

May 22, 2009 - 10:52 am 82. pettfog:

I have seldom read such a weak argument by a PJM author.
Not addressed:
What sort of party leader claims that moderation is needed then endorses a radical candidate against his own party’s moderate? Then has the nerve to tell us the party is dead unless we do that all over again?

I’m sorry but Powell himself gave up his party affiliation when he went with his heart instead of his head. Good luck to him in his private life. just stay the hell out of our public lives.

May 22, 2009 - 10:53 am 83. Ms. Attitude:

79. Middleman: So why did you limit your choices between Limbaugh and Powell? I’d pick neither. But in reality what are they running for, a title? Means nothing. But the vote for the community organizer with gaffe running mate looked more appealing to you to run our country because the running mate was a woman with conservative views. She has never forced her religion on her state.

I can’t believe you picked Biden over Palin…oh wait, it was Obama and McCain running….

May 22, 2009 - 10:55 am 84. rickb308:

79. Middleman:

“Ms. Attitude,
In regards to the first one. I choose None of the Above. You left that option out, it’s there.”

#1. Pot, meet kettle.
#2. Depends on what the “pill popper” had to say.

“Suddenly community organizers seemed much more appealing.”

So how’s that working out for you?

May 22, 2009 - 11:15 am 85. Jim Treacher:

Middleman thinks Biden is smart.

May 22, 2009 - 11:16 am 86. Bob:

Nobody drummed Colin out of the Party; he, like Senator Spector, left on his own (assuming Powell was a Republican because he served under a Republican President). Further, no one is demanding that “moderate” Republicans leave the party. Republicans will gladly accept members who are moderate. We’d even be glad to get some conservative Democrat votes (e.g., Zell Miller). What we don’t want is moderate to left-leaning folks to be running the party, nominating the likes of John McCain and then saying the party lost because it was too conservative. PUH LEEZ.

May 22, 2009 - 11:17 am 87. aposematic in VA:

Colin Powell never has been a Republican (just because one calls himself something doesn’t make it true) and his endorsement of the Marxist Obama is all the proof needed.

The Democratic Party has moved so far to the left it has been taken over by the Progressives–which is far worse than being a Liberal. This only leaves the RINO segment of the Republican party for political moderates. Independents can’t make up their minds and we see what happens when they do…we get a never done nothing in his life bozo for President–and Powell endorsed him. That’s all that needs to be said.

The only way the Republicans will regain political power is by standing for our founders principles of small government and freedom of the people–all the rest of you are the problem not the solution.

May 22, 2009 - 11:25 am 88. Tom DeGisi:

I want Jazz Shaw, Rush Limbaugh, Dick Cheney and Colin Powell in the Republican party with me. That doesn’t mean I know whether Colin Powell is much of a Republican. That’s because I don’t know much about the political positions General Powell supports. Maybe that’s the media’s fault, but I doubt it. Surely someone would be willing to publish General Powell’s beliefs, were they to be made public.

All I know about those is that he supported Barack Obama, not John McCain. He is pro-abortion, not pro-life. He wants high taxes and big government, not low taxes and small government. This does not sound very Republican. I’m not even sure what his beliefs are about foreign policy and national security. He may just be a good soldier whose policies matched his President.

Perhaps there are positions General Powell believes in which sound Republican. If so, I wish he would state them. Dick Cheney and Rush Limbaugh have stated their substantive beliefs on many political positions. General Powell has not. If General Powell wants to persuade me that he should have more influence and Ruch Limbaugh less, then General Powell should start explaining his substantive beliefs and why he believes they are what’s best for my party. Alternatively General Powell could mention someone else who should have more influence than Rush Limbaugh and who has explained his substantive beliefs and why he believes they are what’s best for my party.

So I guess what really burns my butt about Colin Powell is that he thinks someone who appears utterly vague (like himself) should have more influence than someone who actually takes a stand (like Rush – and like you, Jazz).

Yours,
Tom DeGisi, aka Wince and Nod

May 22, 2009 - 11:43 am 89. Brian Richard Allen:

In 69 The Monster reminds sheesh that the Afro-American, Jesse Jackson, never won a primary. And that’s the truth.

But then, talking of “race,” nor, by any stretch, are either Powell, the son of relatively well-to-do British migrants, or Obambi, a one-time Indonesian Muslim son of a British-Kenyan, “Afro-Americans.”

So sheesh’s suggestion there was a point to be scored based on whether or not “British-American,” Powell ever supported “Afro-American,” hi-Jackson doesn’t work.

Jackson’s of a different “race” to the other two.

B A :.

May 22, 2009 - 11:52 am 90. Tim:

This is idiotic. You portray Rockefeller types as defenders of economic freedom, but how has Colin Powell done or said anything to support “free markets” or “fiscal conservatives”? He’s falling all over himself worshiping the President and approvingly claimed that Americans want to pay more taxes and get more government services. Does Obama qualify as a fiscal conservative to you? And if he does, who in the world would deserve the label “fiscally liberal”?

May 22, 2009 - 11:59 am 91. fnord:

“He wants high taxes and big government, not low taxes and small government.”

My guess is that he wants to win the two wars his administration engaged in. And you cant win wars without putting the country on a warfooting. And yes, that means bigger taxes. And bigger government, to an extent. Y`all are becoming like the far left, inthat you let ideological purity come before practical solutions. Just saying.

May 22, 2009 - 12:30 pm 92. El hefe:

Colin Powell used to be a fence sitter, when he saw which way the wind was blowing he would choose his spot and get off. Now he has gotten off the fence and is in the leftist camp 100%, running a propaganda campaign for the left or the devil, say it either way it still works out the same, who is the father of all lies? Powell is not saying what he believes, he is saying what he wants you to believe, what the left wants you to believe; that conservatives must change, they must adopt the idea’s of the left if they want to be successful and get rid of those antiquated ideas of black and white, good and evil, right and wrong, heaven and hell. Is a lie a good thing or a bad thing? Powell is telling lies and he’s getting busted on it as soon as opens his foolish pie hole. Dick Cheney is helping the cause of freedom right now and Powell is hurting the cause of freedom. This Powell deception will have some impact, mostly on fence sitters. Which way will they go? Fence sitters are those of the muddled mind. For the fence sitter its hard to make a choice.
We all grow up with our parents hoping we make the right choices. Our choices generally get better with age because we learn. We learn; right from wrong, we learn the consequences of our actions, we learn what is generally good and what is generally evil.
If we don’t learn these things we end up being fence sitters. How many parents want your kids sitting on the fence?
No fence sitters are to be allowed any more. We must all make a choice. If you are not prepared to make a choice, God help you.
We are hearing lies and deception everyday from the highest public office in the land and you can choose to believe it or not but there is no room for so called moderates anymore. We must stand for what we believe, now.

May 22, 2009 - 12:32 pm 93. Dagny Taggart:

Colin Powell is a mole, a 5th column statist. He represents the most vile of political creatures; the type that seeks to destroy his enemy (people who stand for conservative principles) from the inside. Like most leftists, he dare not articulate his vision for the nation because to do so would reveal him as an opponent of liberty.

For liberals and leftists,one party rule by the Democrats IS the end in itself. The idea is this: just give us the power and we will make all of the decisions.

However, for conservatives the party is always secondary to advancing conservative principles. The conservative believes that the constitution means what it says. The conservative also promotes the general welfare by promoting the free market.

We CAN have a “big tent” if we keep it simple and stick the the real intent and meaning of the constitution. Limited government, federalism and local control is the best way for citizens to retain their liberties while pursuing different interests.

May 22, 2009 - 12:38 pm 94. Jerome:

6. Fred Beloit: Just for a moment, Jazz, take a deep breath and ponder this: Powell voted for Obama and favors Obama now. Do you understand that means Powell must have perceived that McCain was not far enough left to be a satisfactory President?

May 22, 2009 – 3:11 am
__________________________________

If Shaw doesn’t understand this, then I wonder how he got to work this morning? (3:11am, Fred? And still sharp as a tack! Nice.)

May 22, 2009 - 12:47 pm 95. Sebastian Shaw:

Colin Powell is no better than John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Susan Snowe, & Arlen Specter; Powell openly endorsed Senator Obama & went on a publicity tour. Powell is not a Republican. He is a RINO.

Powell is the reason the Republicans cannot have a voice when it matches the Democrats. Dick Cheney has come out swinging & has battered the Obama Administration senseless.

Supplication is not the answer.

May 22, 2009 - 12:48 pm 96. Max Liberty:

Big government Democrats = taxes and tyranny.
Medium government Republicans = taxes and tyranny.

There’s no difference. I demand a choice. I have voted for too many pro-tyranny Republicans and I’m done forever. Give me a true, honest-to-God, dyed-in-the-wool small government guy or gal, or I will not vote. Bush and Powell Republicans are just as bad, 100%, completely, totally just as bad as Democrats. Give me a real choice or I’m gone fishing while y’all destroy the country.

May 22, 2009 - 12:53 pm 97. Johnny:

I’ve go the perfect place for Powell in the GOP….janitor. I’m sure he would do a great job cleaning toilets at the RNC headquarters each night.

May 22, 2009 - 12:56 pm 98. CPT. Charles:

Ahhh….NO.

If you knew anything about the military ethic, the answer would come to you without asking. Trust is THE key binding ethic in any ‘group’. To put it bluntly…I don’t trust him.

And I don’t make that statement lightly, but that’s my opinion based on solid facts [and my 'gut' sense of him...]. As it stands, he’d be the LAST man I’d trust in a ‘political firefight’. And between now an 2012, there’s going to be plenty of them.

Sorry Mr. Shaw, he laid down his marker, now he has to live with it. I’d be accounted a fool to let someone like him back in my ranks.

May 22, 2009 - 12:57 pm 99. Old Soldier:

Middleman: That’s easy – the one that’s conservative.

May 22, 2009 - 1:09 pm 100. Richard Canty:

“If you have your choice between an upstanding career military man with a proven track record for serving his country, and a pill popper whose main purpose in life is ranting and raving- which one would you pick?”

Benedict Arnold was an upstanding military man.

FDR never served in the military (his paralysis struck at the age of 39) and was a noted pill taker his entire adult post-polio life.

Which one would you pick, the military hero turned traitor?

RKC

May 22, 2009 - 1:34 pm 101. Middleman:

Biden is smarter than Palin and Biden is an idiot.

So Colin Powell took an oath to defend this nation and spent his whole life doing it, but now he’s an opponent of liberty?

Excuse me, but where the f*ck do you people get off?

May 22, 2009 - 1:43 pm 102. ILikeIke:

Yes!!!!! Sad truth in today’s politics: It’s much easier to be a conservative Democrat than it is to be a moderate Republican.

If Colin Powell is too “liberal” for today’s GOP, then I expect today’s GOP to have…oh…no relevance.

May 22, 2009 - 1:53 pm 103. elvis:

Middle man and sheeesh have to be teen-agers with nannies.
Powell made sure we lost Gulf War ONE. He was afraid that the world would think poorly of us if we had gotten rid of your buddy Saddam.
His record is pathetic.
He is a loser.
That is where us f(**(^ing people get off.
We don’t like losers.
Finally to both of you I’m also not interested in talking to people that have an emotional and intellectual aptitude of a girl in puberty.

The reason you both are defending Powell so much is that I’m sure that he reminds you of your loving moderate nannies.

PS… did President BHO send the most intelligent Biden to the Balkans?
Gee why was that???

May 22, 2009 - 2:07 pm 104. Charvakan:

I hope that Powell and republicans of his ilk come to the democratic party. They will enhance the democratic party by bringing into it the best of what conservatism has to offer and leave the junk behind in the republican party, sealing its future as an anti intellectual, anti science, theocratic party with the likes of Rush, Hanity, Palin etc as its leaders.

May 22, 2009 - 2:30 pm 105. David S:

Pretty soon the GOP will be “small enough to drown in a bathtub”, to paraphrase Grover.

Have fun with that self-immolation routine. It really looks good on y’all.

Peace.

DS

May 22, 2009 - 2:40 pm 106. typos_R_us:

Sir, your logic fails to cover one important consideration.
If the Democratic party and the Republic party are the same, what is the point in having them?
BTW, the standard term for any one party state is ’socialism’. So by advocating the morphing of the Republican party into a Democratic lite party, you have exposed your true motives. You want the USA to become another socialist state, with no real choice offered to it’s citizens.
You have to be sneaky about it because American citizens enjoy their choices. It is unlikely that they will surrender them if they know that is what they are doing.
Good luck with that. In 2010, the voters will toss out the bums. Then the fact that Omama is an Usurper and not a legal President will mean ALL the bills he signed will be null and void. What are you going to do then?
If the Usurper cancels the mid-term elections, there will be war. If he doesn’t, he’ll be impeached, which might start a war.

May 22, 2009 - 3:11 pm 107. middleagedpatriot:

Middleman,

When a retired general openly endorses and votes for a man who is a derind of terrorists, both domestic and foreign and was a member of the communist “new party” in 1995-96 I’ll take the pill popper everytime!

May 22, 2009 - 3:12 pm 108. middleagedpatriot:

Middleman,

When a retired general of the United States of America openly endorses and votes for a man who is a friend of terrorists-both domestic and foreign and was a member of the communist “new party” in 1995-96 I’ll take the pill popper everytime!

May 22, 2009 - 3:13 pm 109. Ms. Attitude:

36. sheesh: Watched your clip…it was only stressing how the MSM get off by watching every move Obama makes…just like you! Sheesh is in love!

May 22, 2009 - 3:28 pm 110. Will:

We don’t wan’t or need traitors in the Republican party!!!!

May 22, 2009 - 3:38 pm 111. Tim:

I thank General Powell for his service, but if you talk like a Democrat and act like a Democrat, why would you want to be in the Republican party? Square blue peg, round red hole. Am I wrong to think that Republicans should identify with fiscal and social conservatives, and NOT endorse marxists / socialists for president? If that means that Repubs stay out of power (and I don’t think it will), so be it. I’d rather be right than popular…

May 22, 2009 - 3:41 pm 112. Sara123:

It is difficult for children to understand that Rinos are socialists – economic and social socialists – just like the Democrats. They had power in the minority for fourty years and were very happy with that position.

The only reason social conservatives rose up is because socialist social policy called for imposing their amoral ideology on everyone which is against the constittuion. Freedom of religion – freedom to one’s own beleifs and speech regarding those beliefs – without the government preaching the opposite and harassing those who don’t agree – is a first amendment right. Liberals like Collin Powell started the pissing match – curse him.

May 22, 2009 - 3:57 pm 113. shaui-jan:

i could really care less about being in a big tent if it means tying my wagon to someone like powell.i am not fanatical about holding on to power,if the democrats keep winning elections…..that means americans prefer their message.right?

if that is true than i have no problem being in the minority status.if this is what people want.. social programs that are unsustainable…taxes that stifle growth…a weak hand in foreign affairs…so be it.just don’t waste my time telling me i have to deny facts and reality and be more “moderate”why…so i can be part of the problem and not the solution..no thanks.

there is a reason why the loyal opposition says”yeah powell,yeah mccain pick them,pick them!”and tells us over and over why palin sucks.do you think they would be trying to give us winning advice?why just listen to the soft,unison cooing of the trolls..like a chorus…it is the same tune for the same reason.let people like powell water down the message until it’s meaningless….the GOP can then rightfully join the whigs.

May 22, 2009 - 3:59 pm 114. Fantom:

I thank powel for his service, like I thank Benedict Arnold for his. Both handed over their country.. or tried too. Benedict to the Brits.. powel to the communist obama.

May 22, 2009 - 4:08 pm 115. Fantom:

I think powel did more damage.

May 22, 2009 - 4:10 pm 116. Phil Byler:

Dick Cheney has it right about Powell. He left the GOP. In any event, there is no place for Powell in the GOP.

Strike One: Powell was disloyal when he was Secretary of State under Bush when he did not tell Bush and Cheney that Powell’s man Armitage was Bob Novak’s source about Plame, but instead let Bush and Cheny get pilloried in the press about Plame.

Strike Two: Powell was disloyal and showed what he is about politically when he endorsed and voted for Obama over Powell’s supposed “friend” John McCain. Powell’s endorsement of Obama gave the impression (delusion) that Obama could be a competent Commander in Chief.

Strike Three: Now Powell says the American people want more Governemnt in their lives and thus pay more taxes. That is the Democrat view. The GOP stands for limited Government and lower taxes. Powell is a Democrat.

May 22, 2009 - 4:19 pm 117. Dave:

When this train wreck of a presidency is finally realized, nobody will care what Powell thinks or says.

May 22, 2009 - 5:12 pm 118. WhyamInotsurprised?:

I respect Gen. Powell for his service to our country. There is no doubt that he is courageous, smart and ambitious. As for his politics, call a spade, a spade. He is a democrat. He also is an opportunist who by virtue of his generation took the path of appearing as a conservative black to further his ambitions. For his day, to rise to the heights he did as a black man required a lot of ass-kissing and pretending in addition to his talents, in order to stay well connected. Again, keeping in mind his ambitiousness, he was willing to do what was necessary to achieve his goals.

Now that he is free of his “establishment” bosses, he is free to let his true self finally come out. He has outed himself clearly as a closet democrat, and a liberal racist one at that. Just because Jazz wants to call him a RINO does not make him a republican. This is a red herring. Liverals interpret Powells recent rise on the scene as an attempt to grab leadership of the republican party. This is a futile attempt and will not happen. But at least Colin will have peace in his heart, resting in comfort that he can finally be himself. His true self.

While clearly not as bad as Benedict Arlen Spector, he is still on the same side of the coin. There are too many people posing as conservatives who wind up being frauds. Just like past Supreme Court justices like Souter who present themselves as moderates and then, when installed in a forever job, let their true liveral colors shine.

Unfortunately, the only way to ferret out the “posers” is to research their background. Research will show the consistency of past actions and words. The populace at large is mostly lazy and ignorant (read “uneducated”) and won’t bother to do some work on this. They accept the MSM crapola hook, line and sinker.

Liverals accept, no want, a posing politician that calls himself a republican. These posers shy away from the conservative label but still they are promoted as RINO’s. It is time to drain the swamp and transform the pool of conservative talent working for this country. RINO’s know who they are and everyone else knows who they are. They should leave voluntarily or be forced out. Knowing that the former will not happen, and the second is doubtful, I don’t hold much hope except for the eventual crash of the policies of the current dictator.

May 22, 2009 - 6:36 pm 119. Robohobo:

“Jazz Shaw is a heretical, Northeastern former RINO and regular columnist at The Moderate Voice.”

Former RINO? What are you now? Dhimmicrat? Sounds like it. The GoP lost the last election because they were trying to cater to the center. Is that too hard to understand?

RINOcrats like Powell, Chris Buckley, K Parker et al just need to declare their intentions to join the Left and be done with it. They only now serve the purpose of distracting for the real debates. Good riddance to them.

And the Limbaugh thing of resigning as the leader of the GoP? You really did miss that he was laughing at you all didn’t you?

May 22, 2009 - 8:54 pm 120. DaveinPhoenix:

Colin Powell doesn’t deserve to clean the mens room at the RNC. Lousy prick. Good ridance.

May 22, 2009 - 10:07 pm 121. G Alston:

#88 — He is pro-abortion, not pro-life. He wants high taxes and big government, not low taxes and small government. This does not sound very Republican.

It sounds very republican. He stands for freedom of choice. He wants the government to invest into the future, just as it has in previous republican administrations. Do you think we have military roads (interstates) and a space program and computers and GPS because of low taxes? Preposterous. These things were all government investments. Do you have any idea of the economic growth that occured because of these investments?

Of course not. The day to day things we take for granted resulting from these investments simply popped into being out of thin air in your world.

Reagan didn’t downsize the government, either. The very idea that republicans = small government is a lie. Show me since 1929 the data that proves this. You can’t. It’s a lie. The *true* republican legacy is investing into America. It’s the legacy that Americans always vote for.

In this last election, which party was talking about investing into the future? Which party was associated with culture war nonsense like gays getting married?

Is there a connection? Nah. Of course not.

May 22, 2009 - 11:10 pm 122. MarkD:

I thank the good General for his military service.

The Democrats are welcome to the guy who let Scooter Libby go to prison when he knew that Armitage was the leaker.

May 23, 2009 - 4:24 am 123. Don Rhudy:

Jazz Shaw (does he have a real first name?) and Colin Powell (can he pronounce his first name correctly?)aren’t just RINOs but old-style Republican Statists. The Republican Party is filled with so many of these counterfeit Americans that conservatives should form their own party. Let’s be clear who these counterfeits are: native born Americans who do not endorse the U. S. Constitution, its Bill or Rights, and the principles of Liberty and Freedom.

May 23, 2009 - 6:22 am 124. fnord:

“I thank powel for his service, like I thank Benedict Arnold for his. Both handed over their country.. or tried too. Benedict to the Brits.. powel to the communist obama.”

…wich about sums up the level of unreality that the bloggosphere is building in the Republican party. Communist Obama? “dhimmicrats”? Y`all are being taken over by the internet trolls. Just saying.

May 23, 2009 - 6:24 am 125. GDT:

This is surrealistic. No one is questioning Powell’s honor, intelligence, or service to the country. The issue is solely whether or not he is an appropriate leader for the Republican Party. In case you have forgotten, he indorsed the most left voting senator in the history of the United States (who became the most left wing President in the history of the United States) BECAUSE the most left wing person ever to secure the Republican nomination wasn’t left wing enough for him. Despite the positives one could say about Powell – he is in no way a Republican. He is certainly not the best spokesman for individual liberty, limited government, lower taxes and personal responsibility because he does not believe in those principles. He is a collectivist. He cannot represent a pholosiphy he does not personally believe in.

I can’t believe this is even a topic of conversation

May 23, 2009 - 6:28 am 126. Anonymous:

#121 Alston in Wonderland
“In this last election, which party was talking about investing into the future?”

I believe you mean taxing into the future. What the Dems did NOT talk about was throwing tremendously large sums away in the present.

And if they love to “invest”, why won’t they allow 40% of the population to not only not pay taxes but to receive other people’s money in a tax handout program.

And if they love to “invest”, why did the Dems fight tooth and nail to defeat Bush’s plans to let folks invest at least a small part of their confiscated Social Security funds in the stock/bond markets. Oh I see. The stock market is only for people like Ted Kennedy and Warren Buffet and the bond market is only for the Chinese.

May 23, 2009 - 6:49 am 127. Fred Beloit:

#121 Alston in Wonderland
“In this last election, which party was talking about investing into the future?”

I believe you mean taxing into the future. What the Dems did NOT talk about was throwing tremendously large sums away in the present.

And if they love to “invest”, why won’t they allow 40% of the population to not only not pay taxes but to receive other people’s money in a tax handout program.

And if they love to “invest”, why did the Dems fight tooth and nail to defeat Bush’s plans to let folks invest at least a small part of their confiscated Social Security funds in the stock/bond markets. Oh I see. The stock market is only for people like Ted Kennedy and Warren Buffet and the bond market is only for the Chinese.

May 23, 2009 - 6:51 am 128. Fred Beloit:

Alston in Wonderland. Part Deux

The big programs the Dems “invest” in don’t work. They invested in and still invest in the War on Poverty, including education, and the Peace Corps. The funding for these programs began in the early 1960s, well over 40 years ago. So now we have defeated poverty, have we? We have peace, have we? We have an educated population, have we?

Food stamps? More people than ever now receive food stamps and children receive free lunches. Guess what. There are more national and local charities trying to feed the hungry than ever. These organizations advertise for donations in the media all the time.

Look at education. The private schools turn out an educated class, the public schools in poorer areas turn out way too many barely literate graduates. The teachers’ unions are good for teachers. They don’t seem to be doing well for the children who need education most. The unions fight to keep inner city schools in failure mode.

Investments in peace through the Peace Corps. A failure. Investments in the War on poverty. A failure. Investments in education. A success for teachers and administrators, a failure for students who need it most.

Alston, give education back to the states, the Feds have not helped it in any way.

May 23, 2009 - 7:12 am 129. Fred Beloit:

Alston in wonderland Part Trois

“Do you think we have military roads (interstates) and a space program and computers and GPS because of low taxes? Preposterous. These things were all government investments. Do you have any idea of the economic growth that occured{sic]because of these investments?”

I am unaware that conservatives ever opposed taxes to pay for needed roads, military transportation, or realistic scientific/technological projects (unlike, in other words, the idiotic Gore-led project to attempt to keep the temperature of the earth from changing a fraction of a degree Centigrade up or down on an annual basis).

Altson: “The very idea that republicans = small government is a lie.”

In Wonderland, a goal many conservatives would like to reach becomes a “lie”. Such is Wonderland.

In Wonderland the meaning of a word, marriage, in use in every culture for about 3000 years of known history can be changed by the vote of one out of x judges any time they wish and for any reason under the sun. Such is Wonderland.

May 23, 2009 - 7:35 am 130. Marzipan:

Its interesting to watch the republican party perform “circular fire squad” drills, a weak party further weakening itself. It’s like watching a car wreck – horrible and sad, but somehow I cant just stop watching.

Please note that mismanagement of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan under Rumsfeld and Cheney has cost the party a good deal of support in once enjoyed among the armed forces. The party has its work cut out for it regaining that support – and the rhetoric from Rush et al are not going to regain that trust.

May 23, 2009 - 7:45 am 131. sheesh:

120. DaveinPhoenix: . . . “Colin Powell doesn’t deserve to clean the mens room at the RNC. Lousy prick. Good ridance.”

You’re right. That’s Larry Craig’s job.

May 23, 2009 - 7:57 am 132. sheesh:

113. shaui-jan . . . “i could really care less about being in a big tent if it means tying my wagon to someone like powell.”

Well, I think any objective analysis would suggest that the GOP has some rebuilding to do. But I’m sure the differing factions can pull together and once again lord over the political landscape, provided they can answer this fundamental question . . . Are we a tent or a wagon?

I suggest the RNC adopt a resolution to forge middle ground by calling itself “Conestogans” . . . that way you’re a wagon AND a tent at the same time! BRILLIANT! Good, I think we’ve made some progress here. Thank god there’s nothing more pressing to think about for the GOP/conservative brain trust.

May 23, 2009 - 8:06 am 133. sheesh:

109. Ms. Attitude . . . But Lez Attitude, you said that MSNBC is the network that would cover such banal things as the president’s choice of mustard. And yet the clip showed the opposite to be true – that only radical right wing cowards and apologists like Hannity and Ingraham would stoops to such ridiculous commentary. I’m so sorry to have shoved your BS back down your throat. My mistake, I thought you might be interested in the truth. Clearly you’re not up to it.

May 23, 2009 - 8:11 am 134. sheesh:

52. Ms. Attitude . . . ‘In 1991, when Saddam Hussein’s army was fleeing Kuwait, Colin Powell advised his Commander in Chief to let Saddam survive.”

If only we would have followed Dick Cheney’s advice instead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BEsZMvrq-I&feature=related

If you had a mind, it would be boggled right now.

May 23, 2009 - 8:19 am 135. shaui-jan:

g alston.”Of course not. The day to day things we take for granted resulting from these investments simply popped into being out of thin air in your world.”

you seem to be confusing social legacy costs to the military….or willfully obfuscating.with your arguments….it can be difficult to tell.

“larger goverment”is a laymen’s term for expansion of social programs.both republicans and democrats have both been guilty of this for a long time.it buys them votes at the detriment of future generations’ prosperity.investing in the military and infastrucure creates jobs and maintains security….a win/win scenario.

May 23, 2009 - 9:12 am 136. aposematic in VA:

Lets reserve some spots for Pelosi, Reid, Durban, Waxman, Schumer, Hillary, Rangle, Gore, Biden, Olbermann, Emanuel, Dodd, Carter, Kennedy, Frank and don’t forget that great traitor Specter.

Wouldn’t it just be easier if all Republicans just became Democrats like Powell?

May 23, 2009 - 9:13 am 137. shaui-jan:

you have been a busy little beaver here lately,sheesh…..someone kick sand in your face at the beach again?….i’m sorry.
reread my post if you didn’t get my drift the first time…and keep in mind…it quality not quanity when posting.you have not made me laugh in awhile and since it’s your man obama’s apparent ineptness at his duties that has me down… i kinda feel you have a responsibility to make me chuckle every so often.

May 23, 2009 - 9:35 am 138. sheesh:

So, what IS the standard for membership in the conservative club? Powell votes for Obama and gets pilloried. But why didn’t the right throw out David Vitter? I mean, he’s a Republican senator who based his brand on family values and the sanctity of marriage, and then he gets caught in a secret life of diaper fetishes and Bourbon Street hookers. And yet, there is he running for re-election. (And come on, even you folks have to love the irony of Stormy Daniels.)

Seriously, what’s the standard? What are the cardinal sins of conservatives? And who hasn’t broken them? Tough question. (And remember, I”m not asking for a list of “But the Democrats did this and this and this . . . ” There’s no shortage of proof on that. What gets you excommunicated from your collective conservative graces?

May 23, 2009 - 9:43 am 139. Middleman:

Ah, I see the revisionist history is already churning now.

Elvis,
Get your facts straight. Powell wanted to push forward to Baghdad, but it was Bush Sr. that stopped because the coalition pressed him to.

middleaged’patriot’
Where is the evidence Obama had any links to any communist party. A dodgy website and Alex Jones don’t count.

Oh, BTW, I hear LIBERTY University is now banning the campus based Democratic Party club. That’s right-wing liberty for you. None for you, all for us.

May 23, 2009 - 9:54 am 140. johngaltrules:

Mr Shaw-Colon Powell has no place in conservatism. Colon Powell could replace Chris Matthews, Kieth the Uberidiot, or Rachel the Msd cow on MSNBC and no one would notice a difference. You know mr Shaw, John Glenn was once a marine officer and an astronaut. John Glenn as a US senator from Ohio also sold the US down the river by turning a blind eye and obstructing investigations into Chinese communist $ going into the Clinton 96 presidential campaign. And why? So that John Glenn could return to space on board the space shuttle at age 77, for one last bit of celebrity. Meanwhile, the missle technology Mr Glenn turned a blind eye to? Where do you think Iran and Pakistan are getting weapons grade uranium from? Oops, can you say Red China? Colon Powell and John Glenn fall into the same category, both former military men who sold out the uniform and there patriotism for cheap ego gratification. Colon, I hope Allah treats you like dirt. You deserve it.

May 23, 2009 - 10:05 am 141. Fred Beloit:

#139
“Oh, BTW, I hear LIBERTY University is now banning the campus based Democratic Party club. That’s right-wing liberty for you. None for you, all for us.”

You heard wrong. Have you been reading Kos or Muffpost again?
All Liberty wants is for them not to use Liberty’s name in their material…I heard.

May 23, 2009 - 11:56 am 142. Fred Beloit:

#138 Of course Sheets doesn’t want this, but he’s going to get it anyway:
What’s this? What are the standards imposed on Congresspersons Barky Frank, Icicle Jefferson, and The Quiet Man from Inishfree, C. Dodd? Studiously, what are the standards?

May 23, 2009 - 12:02 pm 143. bigbugna:

Someone mentioned ‘Susan Snow’ way back in the comments…now that’s funny!!!

May 23, 2009 - 1:33 pm 144. bigbugna:

Number 95: …and it was Susan Snowe.

May 23, 2009 - 1:42 pm 145. ReConUSMC:

Why as a Conservative I greatly Dislike The Republican Party :

Former VP Cheney based on his 39 years of top level experience (even in the defense dept) made the most ‘Compelling ‘ , Clear and totally understandable Argument ‘ .
I have heard since Bush took office a first time on our War on “‘Terror “” not Man Made Disasters now under Obama’s PC Correct how to not fight any War against those that will do anything possible to destroy America and Murder Americans we have seen since 9/11 and actually before under Clinton .
The Mute (let’s just get alone )totally weak and meaningless Moderate Republican party has become nothing more than a total embarrassment to its strongest voting block they have totally abandoned Conservatives they are actually running against now ?
That Would be like Democrats running against their far left radical Socialist base , Blacks , Hollywood , George Soros , Move on .org and the trade unions .
Cheney actually made Obama “No answers ” other than scorn ‘ of our Moral values and we need to please Europe look like a proven Rookie air head blundering no nothing Anti War Socialist out of touch elite Academic because that is what he is !
Cheney all by him self thank goodness brought to center stage finally !!!!!!!!!.
Only to have the extreme left Colin Powell base that voted for Obama alone with The Mc Cains , Spectors , Michael Steel the Party Leader , Tom Ridge and Four dozen Top Republicans who want to run as Moderates in 2010 ?
Didn’t McCain just do that ? Yep !
WHAT is that old line . You dip a big hole with no results , you dig , deeper , faster , harder with a bigger Shovel and keep hoping for different results . Are you listening Republicans ? Only to themselves sadly .
Simply put What are the leaders in the Republican party thinking ?

May 23, 2009 - 1:53 pm 146. ReConUSMC:

The Secret Street Word in DC about the Republican party IS …… They want say anything against Obama and his move towards Radical Socialism is they are all afraid of Losing ?
Facts matter so that is why this New “‘MODERATE Republicans is so Beyond stupid !
Actually It is the rebirth of Totally failed Rockerfellow B/S …… AGAIN !
Ain’t no body running the store .. or the lights are on but ain’t no body at home .

They may but afraid of ”Losing ” but that is exactly what they are doing like neither one of us has ever seen before in our entire lives ….
Facts _ there is not one RePublican left in the house of Rep. in the entire North East with 31 seats . Not one !
Very Moderate Chris Shays who served in Conn for 21 years got kicked out in 2006. The only Two so called Republican Senators vote 90 % very Liberal in New England
as does the Socialist Bernie Sanders . South Carolina has one far left Liberal and Mc Clain Voting half Liberal Lindsay Graham . formally a very red state .
Red State VA Formerly had Two Conservative Senators now has Two leftist … They applies to Pa , NC , Ohio , New Mexico and 9 others States as well . The Republicans in the House actually faired far worse losing 131 seats the second most ever .
Only Clinton in 1994 was worse than in 2008 when Newt. G. … did his Brilliant Reagan Top 10 Conservative values and economist list need we forget .
Now even Newt G. and Jeb Bush (as did his Brother , Father did long ago sadly …. wants to move away from Reagan-ism ?

May 23, 2009 - 1:58 pm 147. Oakley:

Powell is like Obama, duplicitous. Whatever will advance Powell is what Powell does. I never did like the guy. He certainly is NOT a conservative and should officially change parties. He belongs with the dems on the left wing….

May 23, 2009 - 3:06 pm 148. JL:

Why would you want a guy in the republican party that fights for the democratic candidate. Other people are working their buts of going door to door, working day and night on the phones. This clown not only does nothing productive, he actually helps the democrats.

And why is the writer of this article writing on this site. Could the editor please remove him. There are plenty of socialist sites to post this kind of meaningless garbage on.

May 23, 2009 - 3:34 pm 149. sherlock:

Maybe Colin should have demonstrated that famous moderation all of his supporters go on about and supported the most liberal Republican to run for President in years. But instead he let racial allegiances override politics and voted for a leftist, and then lied about it. What would it have taken for McCain to win this guy’s support – a can of blackface?

Hell yeah, the Republican Party sure needs more like this guy. Why don’t all you DNC shills just focus on making the Democratic Party a bit less looney, and a lot less traitorous, instead of trying to drag the GOP into the cesspool with you?

May 23, 2009 - 4:20 pm 150. 888:

Powell used the Republican Party and the Republican administrations to get the Joint Chief of Staff and Secretary of State posts. When Bush favored Condi for Secretary of State over Powell, that started Powell’s mission to destroy the GOP. We don’t need you anyway — get lost, Mr. Powell. You’re a sore loser with no loyalty to anyone, but yourself.

May 23, 2009 - 7:05 pm 151. scott:

All one needs to know about Colin Bowel is that he could have been POTUS (hands down) with a nod of his head but because his whiney _itch of a wife said no he passed. Eff him! That’s not a man. That’s a joke.

May 23, 2009 - 8:31 pm 152. scott:

Oh, and Jazz,

GGGEEETTT OOOOUUUTTTT !!!!!!!

May 23, 2009 - 8:35 pm 153. stuart Williamson:

Powell was not a great General.
Powell was not a very good Republican.
Powell is not a very good Democrat.
Obama doesn’t trust Powell – he just uses him
The GOP doesn’t trust Powell – they can’t use him.

Powell has made himself totally useless to anybody – including himself.

Why are we talking about Powell?

May 24, 2009 - 12:23 am 154. HondaV65:

Name one thing that Colin Powell has done FOR the Republican Party.

We ran his “perfect candidate” last November – did Powell endorse him? Nope – he endorsed a Socialist Democrat.

Is Colin Powell known for going out of his way to help Republican candidates he likes? Nope – he’s known for supporting Democrats.

Is it too much to ask for Colin Powell to find the Republicans that he likes and then support them to get them elected? Apparently it is because he hasn’t.

What about the Republican Party is it that Colin Powell actually likes?

No one knows.

What about the Republican Party is it that Colin Powell dislikes?

We all know.

Is Colin Powell a “naysayer” in the party? Most reasonable people would have to conclude that he is.

So I have no problem with Colin Powell calling himself a “Republican” as long as it’s understood that he’s the crotchety old uncle in the corner at the family reunion that has nary a good word to say about anyone – but great criticism for all.

May 24, 2009 - 9:00 am 155. G Alston:

#128 fred b — The big programs the Dems “invest” in don’t work.

The argument is not that dems spend and reps don’t. They both do. Reps are way better at it IMHO; reps invest. I laid out what I think of as examples of rep investments. As I see it dems tend more to just spending.

The public responds to what they perceive as investment. The public perceived the recent dem approach as investment and the rep approach as the opposite. Sad. Maybe the Rush wing of the reps conflating speding and investing contributed. It certainly seems to be a rampant misconception here.

#135 — “larger goverment”is a laymen’s term for expansion of social programs.

Dang. Somone forgot to clue me in on the real meanings of “larger” and “government”. Consider this an open call to the mods here to please send me my decoder ring.

May 24, 2009 - 10:18 am 156. Will:

like a bunch of baloney!!!!!

May 24, 2009 - 11:03 am 157. G Alston:

#135 — investing in the military and infastrucure creates jobs and maintains security…

By the way I’ve been pretty vocal about the TSA’s purpose is to remind us that we are subjects, not citizens. Anyone sufficiently motivated can bring down an airliner. The TSA can’t stop that regardless of the ’security theatre’ show that they put on. This is a horrendous boondoggle at best and a step towards totalitarian rule at worst.

(I’m all for profiling and putting an armed air marshal on flights. Profiling works. Armed marshals do too.)

When you speak of ‘larger government’ in a disparaging way, this is what comes to mind. And yes, most people would probably agree that larger government for its own sake rather than for the good of the populace is often the worst possible thing.

I have tried to make the case here though that larger government in and of itself isn’t the problem, that government can and will do good. As republicans we can’t simply paraphrase Orwell: “big government bad, small government good.” That’s just simply wrong. It’s a kneejerk response.

Colin Powell seems to be a man who thinks along these lines, and I reckon it can’t hurt us to listen. Of course there’s room in the republican party for him; as far as I can tell, he’s one of the few that seem to understand things beyond the Rush-sphere that too many republicans inhabit. (This thing beyond the Rush-sphere is called ‘reality.’)

May 24, 2009 - 11:54 am 158. Warren Bonesteel:

Google:
‘Online Library of Liberty.’
‘Liberty Library of Constitutional Classics.’

Find out what the Founding Fathers thought and said – in their own words.

No cherry-picking, please.

Also: See Webster’s dictionary for the definition of ‘ideology.’ If you promote one ideology over another, if you promote the use of government and of legislation in order to enforce your views of the world upon others, you ain’t for freedom. You are for group think and thus endorse controlling the lives of others. You’ve embraced tyranny.

When you use the phrase, “There ought to be a law!” and “The government ought to do something!” You’ve abandoned The Constitution of the United States, as well as your own state constition and you have embraced tyranny.

The sad thing is, left, right or center, you scream bloody murder when the ideology opposed to yours does the exact same thing to you.

No truer words were ever spoken when it was said, that we get the government we deserve.

May 24, 2009 - 12:54 pm 159. shaui-jan:

g alston.’reality’ is decades of programing people to think that we cannot run our own affairs and need them.the goverments job is to take care of the things we are unable to on our own….like national defense….enforcement of laws and contracts.the necessities…of course,i want an FDA TSA,etc.they have nothing to do with the massive,unfunded liabilites like S.S… medicare and medicade.no one who has looked at the numbers in these programs deny it’s a serious problem.
no’knee jerk’reactions here.it just the way it is….no matter how you frame it,the data doesn’t lie….it seems to have our crediters a little worried,too.we’re going to have to bite the bullet on this one sooner or later…i personally say sooner…alot less people will suffer.

colin powell doesn’t acknowledge this ‘reality’ he supported the exact opposite philosophy during the campain…..i have no use for him.
a’kick the can down the road’ attitude,with such apparently dire consequences….is a very irresponsible position to have in my view.

May 24, 2009 - 1:04 pm 160. noreen:

Powell is a weak unprincipled man. He is most certainly not a Republican and I don’t know why he goes around calling himself one.Him and his ilk all need to pack up and go left where they belong

May 24, 2009 - 4:21 pm 161. HondaV65:

This is the Colin Powell doctrine articulated. He don’t like anything!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YE1p6tymHBg

May 24, 2009 - 6:34 pm 162. Chuck Pelto:

TO: Jazz Shaw, et al.
RE: What….

Yes, Colin Powell Deserves a Spot in the Republican Party — Jazz Shaw

… a ‘crock’.

Colin Powell, as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Operations DESERT SHEILD/DESERT STORM was the officer who approved the use of untested inoculations on service men and women.

The resulting cases of ‘Gulf War Syndrome’ were a direct result of said order.

This man, albeit a great brigadier general, LOST it when he got to the Pentagon. And as a result, he does not, in my professional opinion, deserve to be recognized as anything other than a complete loser.

Regards,

Chuck(le)

May 24, 2009 - 7:13 pm 163. Bob:

Rush promotes conservative Republicanism 15 hours a week, every week. Colin Powell supports the most liberal Democrat in history over a moderate Republican with whom he’d been friends for many years, and occasionally goes on talk shows for half an hour to blast Rush (whose name he can’t even pronounce correctly) and Vice President Cheney, and claiming to be Republican. How could anyone seriously debate who’s the better Republican?

May 24, 2009 - 8:47 pm 164. Roark:

Unfortunately, Powell IS the current face of the GOP. Instead of trying to save the mortally wounded GOP, people should put their vote to either a new 3rd party or the current Libertarian Party. I’m sorry, but with the likes of Powell, McCain, Boehner, and Hatch in the GOP, a resurgence of men with honor who actually defend the principles of liberty, personal resp., and capitalism just ain’t gonna happen. What’s more the USA needs a renaissance of reason.-for too long the wrong idea’s have dominated our nation. Only a return to reason and the idea’s of liberty will arouse the real change America needs to be great once again.

May 24, 2009 - 9:21 pm 165. elvis:

Thank you Chuck Pelto… I have been saying that for years!!!!!!!

May 24, 2009 - 9:33 pm 166. catlee:

I didn’t know to be a Republican you had to endorse a Democrat. Or maybe Obama didn’t have a job for Powell. Since when is Powel a Republic, much less a conservative. Endorsed Obama, likes big government, pro choice,and affirmative action (racist). If the Demos do not want to accept him, he should become an Independent. How can we fix the Republican party with people like him. GET OUT POWEL.

May 24, 2009 - 10:50 pm 167. G Alston:

#163 — they have nothing to do with the massive,unfunded liabilites like S.S… medicare and medicade.no one who has looked at the numbers in these programs deny it’s a serious problem.

Are you merely ranting or was there a point?

Do you expect Powell to march in and announce he’s going to wipe social security out? And if he fails to do this then that only proves he’s a RINO? Was that the point?

May 25, 2009 - 12:03 am 168. paul_unalaska:

sheesh – suffice to say, you’re the sorriest type of troll.

You asked of anyone to respond to your query of ‘Powell losing the Gulf War’ (#43).

When someone HAD responded and it was a response not to your liking, you ignore it. Shortly afterward you’re on the offense again. Copying and pasting youtube or other sanctimonious drivel.

You’re a sad, sad rube. Going out of your way to a website and ARGUE, purely emotional statements might I add, with people who have differing views than yourself, on the computer!

Like David ‘Peace’S and the other painfully obtuse folks, isn’t it more interesting to discuss in an adult fashion with like minded individuals the stories/ headlines of our time? Again, your actions are truly pathetic..

May 25, 2009 - 12:10 am 169. Raybojabo:

Powell, and the other New Worlders have hijacked the Republican party long enough. I don’t even trust Newt Gingrich or Romney not to pull a “Bush”. If they remain in power it won’t be long untill you see Soros money in their coffers because the conservative money has dried up thanks to their milktoast agenda.

May 25, 2009 - 6:21 am 170. sheesh:

168. paul_unalaska: “You asked of anyone to respond to your query of ‘Powell losing the Gulf War’ (#43). . . . When someone HAD responded and it was a response not to your liking, you ignore it.”

I thought it was a good and pertinent question. I asked it without any POV attached whatsoever as you can see here:

43. sheesh:
38. elvis . . . “Powell did lose the first gulf war for us.”

Any Desert Storm vets out there who agree/disagree with this?

If I didn’t comment on a response to that question, how do you know it wasn’t to my liking? The answer is, you don’t. I didn’t comment because it was an open-ended question giving DW vets a chance to weigh in with their relevant experiences and knowledge. It wasn’t a request to CONVINCE ME of anything.

So, butch up, quit your toddler whining, and post something that is curious. thought provoking or even mildly entertaining.

May 25, 2009 - 7:29 am 171. cackcon:

Even besides ideology, Jazz, if you’re a Republican you don’t go around endorsing extremely leftist candidates for president when the GOP candidate is a centrist. How exactly is it “moderate” to make that choice?

There are only two explanations for this conduct by General Powell. The first is that he got swept up in the moment and the popularity of the coming messiah–er, president. If this is what passes for “moderation,” then moderates are utterly useless because they have no lasting principles.

The second possibility is that General Powell wanted to share in the advent of the first black presidency. But race-based politics is the stuff of the Democratic Party, not the GOP.

May 25, 2009 - 8:47 am 172. G Alston:

#171 — There are only two explanations for this conduct by General Powell.

Yes, there are only two possibilities.

Positing that Powell endorsed Obama because the left was taking a position on something important that he believed in is impossible!

What might that thing have been?

Maybe Powell thought the republicans left the reservation where it concerned foreign policy. Impossible!

Maybe Powell thought that the republicans weren’t addressing energy in a way that would fix long term problems. Impossible!

And so on.

Yes, there are only two possibilities.

May 25, 2009 - 9:04 am 173. G Alston:

#164 — I’m sorry, but with the likes of Powell, McCain, Boehner, and Hatch in the GOP, a resurgence of men with honor who actually defend the principles of liberty…[snip]

Powell and McCain were military men. I have no idea what more they could have done to defend liberty.

More importantly, neither do you.

May 25, 2009 - 9:09 am 174. Roark:

G Alston, Murtha was also a military man, too, what’s your point???-Murtha is sending us all down the road to serfdom. Just because a man has served or serves in the military doesn’t mean that he knows in his mind the principles of freedom, or that he will defend them. Let me explain an abstract for you; Defending liberty is more than just defending the nation during war (albeit, I cast great blame on the USA’s military and executive conduct for real and actual victory in Vietnam. It was fought with PC guidlines and kid gloves) If one is a member of the House or Senate, it is their votes which literally will either protect our Const. freedoms or destroy them. Once their vote is cast and the bill heads to the Pres. desk you had better hope that these men had the reason and intelligence capability to be able to know if they are protecting and defending liberty, or wether they are destroying it. McCain dealt a crushing blow to free speech with “McCain-Feingold” and Powell has chosen to align himself with a man who desires a socialist nation and who is friends with a known terrorist. Honor is something that belongs to more than just the battlefield.

May 25, 2009 - 9:33 am 175. FS Tate:

Powell can be a Republican, but will first be viewed as someone who supported and voted for Barack Obama to be president and seems to want Republicans to do much the same.

May 25, 2009 - 10:24 am 176. sheesh:

If Colin Powell won the Republican nomination in 2011, would you vote for him over Obama?

May 25, 2009 - 10:52 am 177. G Alston:

#174 — Just because a man has served or serves in the military doesn’t mean that he knows in his mind the principles of freedom, or that he will defend them.

People that have served have proved that they understand and agree.

Meanwhile, Newt Gingrich and Tom Ridge are backing Powell. Are you and the rest of the teensy-tent crowd going to pillory them as well?

Interesting stuff.

May 25, 2009 - 12:38 pm 178. djn:

Gen. Colon Bowel betrayed the Republican Party, plain and simple, when he endorsed and voted for Obama. Now, he is just hanging around to create image problems for the Republicans. No thank you, General Bowel,we don’t need your advice.

May 25, 2009 - 12:53 pm 179. sheesh:

Just gotta give some props to G Alston for “teensy-tent.” Nicely done. Works for Republicans for both their party and their pants. I think I’ll use it going forward. Consider this blanket attribution, everyone.

May 25, 2009 - 1:45 pm 180. shaui-jan:

g alston.”Are you merely ranting or was there a point?”
these are the programs fiscal conseratives have been complaining about since their inception.here’s a little history of what i was ‘ranting’ about:

http://www.socialsecurityreform.org/history/index.cfm

a tasty morsal….from ten years ago…wonder what’s going on now?

“1999 – The Social Security Trustees’ Report stated the Social Security Retirement System’s unfunded liability increased by $752 billion since the 1998 Trustee Report was published. This brings the total long-term unfunded liability to more than $19 trillion.”

an ever [expanding] bureaucracy is what im talking about,didn’t you say you have lived in england…if that’s your style then go for it…it’s not mine.if memory serves you also said you had a buisness,right?fiscal policies guaranteed to raise inflation,monetizing the dept,lower bond ratings ….artifically raising the cost of energy….one would think these subjects would concern you.

using descriptions like rant…[no exclamation points or capitalization from me].kneejerk…[from an opinion formed over decades of experience]….and since you are not simply blurting these things out but actually typing them…you must be a kind of an emotional person.

it still is an interesting conversation so….if we can forgo the emo,it would save time.

May 25, 2009 - 2:53 pm 181. 888:

176, Colin Powell would NEVER win the Republican nom in any year – so that’s a moot question. Besides, we’ve got a lot of good potential GOP contenders for POTUS or VP, like Bobby Jindal, Cantor, Pawlenty, Huckabee. These are known conservatives with intelligence, experience, education, relative youth, spirit, flair and are respected and admired. We don’t need someone tired and boring like Powell, Hatch, Ridge.

May 25, 2009 - 2:53 pm 182. Will:

Like h he does!!!

May 25, 2009 - 3:10 pm 183. Blackwell:

Thank goodness self-proclaimed republicans are ignoring Dick Cheney’s “big government is back” mantra and the “golf course/plaid pants/”my dad owns the company”/country club (”Muffy, do we have any blacks here?”)wing of the party that caused this mess. Instead, we’re having our own food fight–baying after Powell’s termerity to list himself as a republican when the Dems would be delighted if he switched.

So what if he is soft on some principles? Cheney and Bush were soft on a lot of little things–like deficits, smaller government etc. The National Committee almost elected a chairman that belonged to a racially exclusionary club. So Powell voted for Obama? As opposed to that stalwart of smaller government, free speech and limited spending the GOP offered? Has everyone forgotten that John McCain was the castor-oil candidate that no one wanted? It was a “pass”year” like it was when lots of Dems voted for Nixon in 1972 and for reagan in 1984.

No wonder Pelosi’s staff howls with laughter when anyone mentions the GOP: we’re snarled in endless internescine squabbling over trifles while the other side has doubled the US monetary base, flirts with apologizing for what the US has done since Obama was elected, has Pelosi running the House and is poised to appoint Souter’s replacement.

You have an obligation to stop acting like the GOP is some high school clique, your old treehosue with a secret password, the Delta selection process in Animal House, or the “My great-grandmother was on the Mayflower” club. Consider what the GOP is supposed to be–and how it’ll get there if you expell everyone deemed “unpure.

The Daughters of the American Revolution might be around today in recognizable form if they’d welcomed that black singer to perform at their silly little club: they didn’t. Little minds split the Catholic church, the democratic party in 1972 and its happening to the GOP now. Stop!

May 25, 2009 - 3:44 pm 184. Roark:

“People that have served have proved that they understand and agree.”

—Like Jack Murtha or Army Sgt. Hasan Akbar or Army Cpl. Timothy Ayers, G Alston? Your point is verifiably invalid at best and completely false at worst.

May 25, 2009 - 4:43 pm 185. G Alston:

#176 — If Colin Powell won the Republican nomination in 2011, would you vote for him over Obama?

I figure if Powell or Rice were the VP choice in ‘08 Obama would be sitting at home right now. Both were great choices being vastly experienced and respected worldwide. Of course, the Rush contingent here would be apoplectic.

Of course, I’m also one who reckons McCain threw away 3 or 4 states picking the inexperienced Moose Lady trying to appeal to the evangelical vote, so it figures I’d see things this way…

May 25, 2009 - 5:00 pm 186. G Alston:

#184 — —Like Jack Murtha or Army Sgt. Hasan Akbar or Army Cpl. Timothy Ayers, G Alston? Your point is verifiably invalid at best and completely false at worst.

Has anyone ever told you that a small fraction of opposition is proof of the rule? If that’s all you can drag up then my point is way better than I thought.

May 25, 2009 - 5:04 pm 187. shaui-jan:

j alston.”People that have served have proved that they understand and agree.” just because someone is/was in the military…..doesn’t mean they understand the principles of freedom.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Goff

this guy is a true warrior..SOF,combat vet,instructer at the army war college….i don’t think his ideology quite fits the above menioned.

May 25, 2009 - 5:20 pm 188. Well Educated Cad:

Wow Sheesh ! The way you’ve been posting makes one think that you are trying to earn extra income. Like, for your beloved One’s upcoming incredible tax hikes?
Remember- It’s patriotic to pay your taxes- as long as you’re not a Democrat…

May 25, 2009 - 9:07 pm 189. Oakley:

I, for one, would love to dump Powell and his ilk. He always was a liberal in a moderate’s mask. He should join with his buddies, the dems, and live happily ever after.

May 25, 2009 - 10:23 pm 190. B Dubya:

22. sheesh: The answer to your question is Norman Swartzkopf.

In other news, the more that the Republican party tries to be democrat lite, the more of us voters declare independance from either party.

There are now more self-identified Independants (including me), than there are Republicans or Democrats. I expect that, by the end of the summer, Independants will outnumber Republicans and Democrats combined. Jimmy Carter, anyone?

Colin Powell is not Republican. Michael Steel is not Republican. George Bush is not Replublican. Mit Romney was elected as Republican in Massachusetts, for God’s sake, and got passed into law Endless Goverment Madatory Health Care; that makes him more progressive than Ted Kennedy.

If the Republican party continues to move away from Founding Prionciples, it should expect more of us to leave. That means, good luck raising money for the neverending election cycle, guys. And best of lick with the RINOs.

May 26, 2009 - 5:42 am 191. B Dubya:

22. sheesh: The answer to your question is Norman Swartzkopf.

In other news, the more that the Republican party tries to be democrat lite, the more of us voters declare independance from either party.

There are now more self-identified Independants (including me), than there are Republicans or Democrats. I expect that, by the end of the summer, Independants will outnumber Republicans and Democrats combined. Jimmy Carter, anyone?

Colin Powell is not Republican. Michael Steel is not Republican. George Bush is not Replublican. Mit Romney was elected as Republican in Massachusetts, for God’s sake, and got passed into law Endless Goverment Madatory Health Care; that makes him more progressive than Ted Kennedy.

If the Republican party continues to move away from Founding Principles, it should expect more of us to leave. That means, good luck raising money for the neverending election cycle, guys. And best of luck with the RINOs.

May 26, 2009 - 6:08 am 192. shaui-jan:

190.b dubya.”In other news, the more that the Republican party tries to be democrat lite, the more of us voters declare independance from either party”

the ‘brighter’ trolls are well aware of this.

May 26, 2009 - 5:44 pm 193. jim:

powell was the only member of the bush-cheney administration that could have had a press conference and told the usa citizens the truth. instead he toadied to keep himself and his son in the national spotlight. tens of thousands are dead. but hey, might as well run him in 2012 and show the country what conservatives really stand for.

May 26, 2009 - 6:29 pm 194. BigPat:

Powell, like our Governator out here in CA (yes, you’re more than welcome to feel a bit sorry for this CA resident), ia nothing but pure RINO!

And if not a RINO, then it was a purely racial vote! I myself learned years back we didn’t operate that way!

Much as I don’t really respect McCain’s word, he certainly smoked Obama on conservative stand points.

For Powell voting and endorsing Obama, it’s either racial or he needs to go ahead and completely drop from the Republican Party, I don’t need anymore RINOs!

-Pat

May 26, 2009 - 8:15 pm

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