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I heard an interesting hypothetical on the radio this morning. What if back in 1996, Colin Powell had run as a Republican and defeated Bill Clinton. Would we have seen the same hype back then that we are seeing for Obama now? Would it have been "historic"? Would there have been comparisons to Lincoln? Would the celebrities have been falling all over each other to be part of that inauguration?
No, we wouldn't have. Because if you remember your history correctly, Clinton was actually our first black President.
Besides, I don't think Powell - or anybody else - could have unseated Clinton in '96.
Too true....but what about Powell vs Gore? I think he would have won that handily.
As to the media.....yeah, I think they would have had to report the historical significance of such a win. But I don't think Powell would have received the 'tingles of my leg' kind of love from the media that Obama has gotten.
Too true....but what about Powell vs Gore? I think he would have won that handily.
As to the media.....yeah, I think they would have had to report the historical significance of such a win. But I don't think Powell would have received the 'tingles of my leg' kind of love from the media that Obama has gotten.
Powell vs Gore = Powell landslide.
And honestly, I think Powell would have been MORE loved than Obama. He has a long record of exemplary military service.
And honestly, I think Powell would have been MORE loved than Obama. He has a long record of exemplary military service.
I agree. I would have enjoyed seeing him in office and I think he would have done well. He always seemed to be one of the few people in our federal government with real integrity. He just needed to grow a stiffer spine and speak up when he wanted. I know he was probably worried about his job ( and possibly his life?) but when you are that high up in the world and show honesty in spite of the consequences I'm sure someone would have offered him a nice job afterward.
I was actually a little surprised when Powell was not appointed to some position .. perhaps he still will...I agree that he has a great deal of integrity and I think he has stood up to what is right and paid a price for it too...unfortunate, one should not be penalized for honesty, integrity and character....if anything, those traits, which seem rarer and rarer, should be honored.
"Would we have seen the same hype back then that we are seeing for Obama now?"
Without a doubt. However how wide spread and pervasive that "hype" would in all likelihood would another questions.
"I think Powell would have been MORE loved than Obama. He has a long record of exemplary military service."
Oh, I couldn't disagree more, especially if Powell had run as a Republican because Powell would have faced the same problems faced by McCain with regards to the right wing element of the Party (perhaps even more so) and would have been viewed with measured skepticism by Democrats.
I don't believe the hype would be anything like what we have seen the past few days. This is the perfect storm: black, liberal, and the darling of the media...
The base of the Republican party would have rejected Powell.
Absolutely not. The myth that republicans and/or conservatives are inherently racist is just that -- a myth.
Sort of like democrats are inherantly not racist
The truth of the matter is that had Powell run, he would have had enormous support from republicans. He was wooed, he was asked and he was begged to run....he considered it, and then declined. Rumor has it his wife said no as she was afraid that he would be asasinated.
Too bad because he would have been just the man to lead us through the aftermath of 9/11, and there is no way he would have been Cheneys or any other neocons puppet.
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