Powell: GOP 'polarization' backfired in election

[maxrandb]

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

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."

--snip--

"I think the party has to stop shouting at the world and at the country,"Powell said. "I think that the party has to take a hard look at itself, and I've talked to a number of leaders in recent weeks and they understand that." 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?"

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You know, I have some respect for Colon Powell, but I think he misses the point. Conservatism, at least the type being felated by the likes of Limbaugh, Hannity, et al, is a mental disorder. If he wants to introduce a brand of "conservatism" that isn't fed by hate, racism, envy and bigotry, then he would be better off leaving the Repub Party of today and starting a third party.

I for one would love to get back to the days where we could disagree without being disagreeable, but to do that, you'd need to rid the world of the scourge of "hate radio".

Talk to your son Colon! Perhaps if he had done his job, or spent a bit more time worrying about the fostering of hate on the radio, instead of Janet Jackson's tit, or the skirt length of the Sailor Moon girls...he could have made a difference.

Sorry, but until Rush Limbaugh and his "cookie-cutter" wannabees are stomped into the ground, the polarization will only get worse.

BTW - I love this line from the interview: “Gov. Palin, to some extent, pushed the party more to the right, and I think she had something of a polarizing effect when she talked about how small-town values are good,” Powell told CNN in an interview that will air Sunday. “Well, most of us don’t live in small towns. And I was raised in the South Bronx, and there’s nothing wrong with my value system from the South Bronx.”

[Captain Hilts]

1. He's just now figuring this out?

FDR: I wonder what he thinks of Father Coughlin?
ER: Gee, honey, I don't know. I guess he'll need 20 years to decide.