Colin Powell: GOP 'polarization' backfired in election

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: CNN

The Republican party must stop "shouting at the world" and start listening to minority groups if it is to win elections in the 21st century, former Secretary of State Colin Powell said Thursday. In an interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria for Sunday's "GPS" program, President Bush's former secretary of state said his party's attempt "to use polarization for political advantage" backfired last month.

"I think the party has to take a hard look at itself," Powell said in the interview, which was taped Wednesday. "There is nothing wrong with being conservative. There is nothing wrong with having socially conservative views — I don't object to that. But if the party wants to have a future in this country, it has to face some realities. In another 20 years, the majority in this country will be the minority."

Powell, who crossed party lines and endorsed President-elect Barack Obama just weeks before the election, said the GOP must see what is in the "hearts and minds" of African-American, Hispanic and Asian voters "and not just try to influence them by...dogma."...

Powell, who says he still considers himself a Republican, said his party should also stop listening to conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh. "Can we continue to listen to Rush Limbaugh?" Powell asked. "Is this really the kind of party that we want to be when these kinds of spokespersons seem to appeal to our lesser instincts rather than our better instincts?"...

Read more: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/11/powell-gop-polarization-backfired-in-election/

[ksimons]

1. He's right about that - nt

[Phred42]

2. No Suprise

The problem is that's all the republicans have to work with. They can't get elected on a TRUTHFUL and honest discussion of their platform and what they are all about.

[stubtoe]

3. Once the party of Lincoln, the GOP as it exists today is politically and morally bankrupt.

I wonder if Lee Atwater is turning in his grave.

[liberal N proud]

4. Yeah, but can they change?

This is the grand OLD party, they believe in their old ways like they do the bible.

[Geek_Girl]

5. I don't know if you take out the ignorant and take out the racist out of the GOP

your left with just maybe one or 2 people. Not left with much of a political party.

[cosmicone]

9. That would leave about 300 people +/- 10 n/t

[Gman2]

6. We were almost a fascist dictatorship. Powell knows it.

They planned to tank the economy, then, using their PNAC principles, utilize their lovingly crafted hegemony, to foist a new money scheme on the world. Their feet of clay, in Iraq, and Afghan, stopped the smooth roolout. Thank Christ. As one who wanted to enjoy our sole superpower status as long as possible, I thought to use physical power, only when really defending our positions and territories. As is said in the bible, if you dont speak, noone will know you are stupid. Posturing, and diplomacy, could have been used in Afghan as the Taliban agreed to turn over Bin Laden to an Islamic court in Saudi Arabia. Saddam? Pleassssse! He was our boy. We couldnt turn him over to the world court, they would expose our hand. Transparency, truly, would have served us well. We still would be top dog. As it stands, WE, the dems, must deal with the worldwide fraud, that is the derivatives markets. All their plans hinged on HEGEMONY. The hubris and over reach of it all is astonishing. Hitler had far lesser ambitions than the GOP. And in some instances, more humanity. I say, like Powell must, that we stomp into dust, the old crusty, hate gene, in the conservative zeitgeist. With extreme prejudice. I concur. They are doing the segregating for us. In the end, we just have to note the dregs.

[No Elephants]

12. Where in the Bible does it say that no one will know you are stupid if you don't speak?

[Kolesar]

7. Arab-American voters, too, Colin

I am trying really hard to like this guy. I think he is trying to attone for lying to us about the WMDs. He deserves a chance. I would be happier if he put his attention to how to heal the world, rather than how to make the GOP effective again.

[David__77]

8. Polarization is only good if it benefits you.

They polarized, all right. It just worked against them. They made a gamble that the country was too racist and scared of "terrorism" to elect a younger Black man president. Didn't work.

[gratuitous]

10. Here old dog, learn a new trick

Not bloody likely. But it amuses me to see Powell suddenly deciding that his party is too polarized. Wasn't he the voice of authority who presented a bogus case for invasion using phony evidence to the UN? Let us know how repairing your busted political hymen goes there, Mr. Powell, you fucking bloodthirsty whore.

[Truth Teller]

11. K & R

Because it's nice to see the jackals turn on each other.

[No Elephants]

13. Nothing is wrong with having socially conservative views? What the hell does he mean by that?

[libodem]

14. I wish Powell

would further denounce that wicked party and resign from it. He'd make a decent Democrat. I used to admire him prior to the United Nations address. I think he can redeem himself. Come to the 'Light' Collin.....you were badly used

[specimenfred1984]

15. 50 Colin Powell WMD lies

http://oversight.house.gov/IraqOnTheRecord/index.asp?Speaker=Secretary+of+State+Colin+Powell

----Iraq on the Record is searchable by the the five Administration officials most responsible for providing public information and shaping public opinion on Iraq:

President George W. Bush
Vice President Dick Cheney
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld
Then-Secretary of State Colin Powell
Then-National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice

It is also searchable by issue area:

Iraq's Nuclear Capabilities
Chemical and Biological Weapons
Iraq and Al-Qaeda
Iraq as an Urgent Threat----

[UTUSN]

16. Note to Colin: You've SUCKED since My Lai. Get LOST!1 N/'T

[dflprincess]

17. "Is this really the kind of party that we want to be when these kinds of spokespersons

seem to appeal to our lesser instincts rather than our better instincts"

It's the party you supported, Colin, so I'd guess the answer to your question is yes. Not to mention it being the party that sent its shills to the U.N. to lie us into a war.

Does this guy ever listen to what's coming out of his mouth?