Commentary: Powell's endorsement of Obama and its implication for small states
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| Published on Saturday, November 1, 2008 |
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By Nicholas Joseph
Last Sunday on the American talk show Meet the Press, Conservative Colin Powell came out of the shadows. It was not his endorsement of Barack Obama that was shocking, but how he crafted his support for the first African American, who may very well be elected on November 4, 2008 as America’s first black president.
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Nicholas Joseph is presently the Managing Editor of Caribbean Spice and holds the 1996 Caribbean Media Award title for best Editorial, Commentary
and Analysis |
In a stunning repudiation of his own party, Powell admitted that the nominee, Senator John McCain, was out of touch and was literally playing old style politics. He said that the campaign had gone too negative when they dubbed Obama a terrorist by linking him to ’60s bomber William Ayers, a man with whom he had a “limited association.”
Moreover, said Powell, he was disturbed that his party was using a credible American religion -- Islam, to smear Obama as if there was something wrong with being a Muslim. Powell said such a message in modern America was dangerous and barefaced fear mongering. Muslims, Powell noted, have shed their blood for America’s liberty. “Is something wrong with some 7-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president?” he declared.
Powell hammered McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin as the vice presidential nominee, a political maneuver that caused him to question the Arizona senator’s judgment. Then he pushed the dagger: “She is not qualified to be President of the United States.” Powell said he was going to vote for Obama because he was a “transformative figure,” and represented “generational change.”
In addition, said Powell, “in style and substance he is qualified and ready to be great and exceptional president.” The former Joint Chief of Staff, who has served under three Republican presidents and in a Democratic administration, concluded that his party has a very narrow focus in contrast with Obama’s broader tent. Interpretation: The Republican Party is moving backwards and Obama is reaching forward.
Powell’s break from his Conservative Party in support of a Democrat for President should signal a clear message to politicians in small island states such as St. Lucia. First, it says that the party is not always right and individuals of good conscience who sit back and fail to protest are guilty of promoting the status quo.
His endorsement of Obama without name calling and bad-mouthing (mapwis) is instructive. Observe also that it was not to be an ideological shift from his party, but a realistic and pragmatic approach to policies and processes. He provided a sensible, rational and logical reasoning for his endorsement. There was nothing personal or condescending in his tone and mannerism. He referred to John McCain as a friend of 25 years, who on this occasion, he happens to disagree with based on his economic views and his political platform.
Too often, in the tribal political context of small island states, individuals who should rise above the fray have allowed themselves to be marginalized by the party in office or by the blind support for a cause. They have failed to put country first by distancing themselves from decisions and policies that may have adverse impact on the country.
They have allowed their narrow political support to cloud their judgment and have remained silent in the face of glowing injustices, victimization and rampant corruption. There are also those who are afraid to take an independent stance for fear that they will be labeled unpatriotic, when in fact speaking out is exactly the right thing to do.
It is lamentable that in our skidding banana skin democracy, individuals who are in a position of trust and the public good are silenced by archaic rules and orders that debar them from participating meaningfully in public discourse. They are paid handsomely to serve the common good but are not allowed to function as independent custodians of that public trust. They are stifled by administrations that seek only to serve their self-interest.
Colin Powell, an African-American of Jamaican descent is no ordinary American. He is a statesman and honourable military man who believes in loyalty. It is that sense of duty that compelled him to appear at the United Nations to make a case for war for the Bush administration that may have left a stain on his credibility.
His support for Obama may be another chance for him to be on the right side of history and restore his shattered image. More importantly, Powell is speaking out, for he knows that Republicans are wrong. The message is clear. Good people of conscience must act when things are wrong, otherwise they are equally guilty. | | | | Reads : 1104 | | | |
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