Pfffft. What does the former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, Secretary of State and four star general know?

Listen Republicans. This guy just wants you to turn into the Pussy Socialist Lite Party. You didn't lose because you were too conservative. You lost because you weren't conservative enough.

So get out your stuffin' brooms and cram some more god-damned Jesus into that platform! The country's counting on you!

Don't listen to that RINO Powell, Republicans. You need a Real Conservative to lead the way, like Sarah Palin.

tallguywithglasseson: Don't listen to that RINO Powell, Republicans. You need a Real Conservative to lead the way, like Sarah Palin Alan Keyes.

FTFY.

I'd still be a conservative if they were still like him

tallguywithglasseson: Don't listen to that RINO Powell, Republicans. You need a Real Conservative to lead the way, like Sarah Palin.

I swear to God, he looks whiter in every photograph I see of him.

vartian: I swear to God, he looks whiter in every photograph I see of him.

THIS THIS THIS!

/just came here to say
//"This just in, Colin Powell no longer a successful and attractive African American"

vartian: I swear to God, he looks whiter in every photograph I see of him.

Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.

I caught an interview yesterday with RNC chair Mike Duncan. When asked repeatedly if his party was suffering due to undue influence of the religious right, he parroted talking points about "properly communicating their core values" over and over and over.

Mikey, we heard your core values loud and clear. Fearmongering, oligarchy, intolerance, and religious fundamentalism. We don't want them. Rebuild a party focused on fiscal conservatism and personal freedom and call us back in a decade.

About time someone pointed out Rush Limbaugh is a cancer on society.

Now presenting the comedy team vartian and liberalish for your reading pleasure!

Clinton is more of a conservative than Powell. Listening to him talk about what Repubs should do is like listening to Giuliani - completely irrelevant.

And that other guy that doesn't agree with me? He's irrelevent too!

Isn't this pretty much the same thing as Leiberman telling the Democrats what they need to do?

/Yea it is...

Big Daddy is sleeping so I'll take this one, you dirty liberals.

Colin Powell is a fake American and should be tried for treason. You hate it when great Americans like Sarah Palin tells the truth about that dirty scumbag from Chicago and the four star Michael Jackson.

When Big Daddy wakes up, he is going to tear you libs a new one, just like always.

He is going to be tired, him and Gary were busy all night long.

I'm kindof a political half breed. I am a gun owner and NRA member, but I also count myself as a Democrat. I like to think that I vote for the person, NOT the party, although I usually end up voting my party regardless.

This being said, if Colin Powell had run for President, I would have voted for him in a heartbeat and done whatever was needed to help. This man has my respect, and admiration.

He did what he HAD to do with Bush. He HAD to say what he was told to say at the UN.

If I ever feel frustrated with Fark, I just have to go to pretty much any major media site and look at their comments to realize how bright the people here on Fark are, liberal or conservative.

"Powell is a typical sellout homey. I thought he was different but he reverted to his genetc inferiority of liberalism"

"Powell bailed on our Country and HIS President when we were at WAR! Need I say any more?"

"Rush 10 - Powell 0 Powell is no more a Republican then I am a giraffe. Any one who voted for Barack is not a Republican, don't care what they say."

wow. I'm surprised they find the keys smacking their foreheads against the keyboard.

Fark: Even our Conservatives aren't THAT retarded.

Colin Powell for RNC Chairman !!!

I sure am glad that Colin can take a pounding.

Conservatism only played a minor, minor part is losses this year and 2006.

1) War in Iraq
2) Inefficient response to Katrina
3) Heightened disdain for perceived abuses in war on terror.
4) Dow and housing bubble meltdown in 2007-08.

There, ladies and gentleman, are the top four reasons the GOP lost seats and the executive.

Uh oh- Sounds like Powell's been hittin the Anthrax again. LOL

/he's right though.

michaeld5: There, ladies and gentleman, are the top four reasons the GOP lost seats and the executive.

I'd argue that behavior bordering on that of a criminal cartel and a complete and total disdain for rule of law would be right up there with those four.

Colin's going to get reamed for this interview by the crowd that likes to use the phrase "drive-by media". But then, he's fought wars so he's probably not fragile enough that he can be hurt by mean things said by loquacious (and totally loco) radio guys.

michaeld5: 1) War in Iraq

Not polled as a major concern. Even if it was, Conservative ideology lead to the way Iraq was handled.

2) Inefficient response to Katrina

Again, Conservative ideology.

3) Heightened disdain for perceived abuses in war on terror.

Caused by... Conservative ideology.

4) Dow and housing bubble meltdown in 2007-08.

Caused by conservative lawmakers and their religion of de-regulation.

Sorry.. not buying it

My goodness, he sounds concerned.

michaeld5: Conservatism only played a minor, minor part is losses this year and 2006.

1) War in Iraq
2) Inefficient response to Katrina
3) Heightened disdain for perceived abuses in war on terror.
4) Dow and housing bubble meltdown in 2007-08.

There, ladies and gentleman, are the top four reasons the GOP lost seats and the executive.

- War in Iraq: neoconservatism
- Inefficient response to Katrina: putting personal connections over aptitude, a trademark of Bush governance
- Abuses in war on terror: conservative point of view that rejects human rights and international law on principle; poor organization of prisons and policy for detainees under Rumsfeld at the DoD
- Economic meltdown: exacerbated by poor government management, don't-tax-and-spend ballooning deficits; made possible by deregulation (a conservative principle); and conservatism's being completely out of touch with the middle class and the economic crisis highlighted by John McCain's "the fundamentals of our economy are strong".

I think you're also missing the Palin effect. Palin was resoundingly rejected, especially by women. Her selection was a calculated attempt to put social conservatism in the mainstream under the guise of feminism - to appeal to both the base and to women and independents. It failed massively because, as it turns out, the bulk of the American population does not find that kind of extreme social conservatism appealing the way the Republican base does. It turns out that America is a center-left nation. Or will at least vote for the center-left guy after 8 years of being completely fed up with the center-right guy who currently has a 79% disapproval rating.

Is it only me, or is the entire 'two party system' a total load of crap?
We need more choices, REAL choices than what we have.
"Douche or Sh*t Sandwich?"

Ummmmmm, neither

start listening to minority groups

They already do that. The religious right, which is a minority in this country, is their base.

If the GOP ever wants to become mainstream again, they need to get back their roots: a progressive party with limited government.

Time to put all their social and religious activism on the way back burner (get out of people's bedrooms and churches) stop playing to the dumb & dumber crowd, back regulations and programs that invest in America's future (ex: it would be better if the next Google was developed in America and not with one of our competitors), support cost effectiveness no matter where that leads (ex: is health care for all ultimately cheaper for American taxpayers and businesses than what we have now?) laws that keep a level playing field but still allow those with the desire and ability to succeed & whatever else is needed to ensure that America remains a dominate nation in the 21st century .

Please, for the love of God, do NOT listen to him, Republicans. Keep going on the Limbaugh/Hannity path. Stick to your principles!

Say what you will about Powell's take on conservative ideology, if I were a Republican I'd be more worried about the demographic issue he brings up. The GOP is now a party that appeals to married, white, middle-aged to older protestant church-going white people. That group is not growing.

Oops, I said "white" twice. The GOP is double-white.

liberalish: vartian: I swear to God, he looks whiter in every photograph I see of him.

Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.

of laughs
I have one
first concealed
now exposed

Occam's Chainsaw:

Rebuild a party focused on fiscal conservatism and personal freedom and call us back in a decade.

Word. There's nothing in the religious right's agenda that's about freedom. Ironically, religious freedom is the thing they'd most like to take away from everyone besides themselves.

.

saintstryfe: michaeld5: 1) War in Iraq

Not polled as a major concern. Even if it was, Conservative ideology lead to the way Iraq was handled.

2) Inefficient response to Katrina

Again, Conservative ideology.

3) Heightened disdain for perceived abuses in war on terror.

Caused by... Conservative ideology.

4) Dow and housing bubble meltdown in 2007-08.

Caused by conservative lawmakers and their religion of de-regulation.

Sorry.. not buying it


That is because you are a blind ideologue.

Blaming the housing bubble on conservatives shows your bias. Many were to blame on both sides, and probably more on the Dems there.

Katrina was a disaster. Firstly a complete and utter failure of the local and state gov'ts [(D) BTW] to protect their own constituents and also corruption had allowed federal monies to be misappropriated that was set aside for levee maintenance for years. What exactly were the Feds to do? I was a huge ginormous disaster. Please explain, without hindsight or Monday morning QB-ing, what they should have done.

War in Iraq --- "perceived abuses" in War on Terror:

What? That is getting wrapped up sooner than they thought. No one has attacked us here since, many leaders have been caught or killed. If the pussy-ass liberal style of do-nothing foreign policy was in effect who knows what attacks we could have faced already.

Please go on about conservative points and how they failed. Sure they farked up and often, but probably not as much as a Kerry or Gore administration would have. Those two are still a pair losers.

medic2731: I'm kindof a political half breed. I am a gun owner and NRA member, but I also count myself as a Democrat. I like to think that I vote for the person, NOT the party, although I usually end up voting my party regardless.

This being said, if Colin Powell had run for President, I would have voted for him in a heartbeat and done whatever was needed to help. This man has my respect, and admiration.

He did what he HAD to do with Bush. He HAD to say what he was told to say at the UN.

So you admire spineless lackeys?

Sure...now everybody likes Powell again since he turned face and hit Dick Cheney with a steel chair after the match.

Vote Fark Independent^TM, It's the Right-est thing to do!

MFL: Sure...now everybody likes Powell again since he turned face and hit Dick Cheney with a steel chair after the match.

That show could get me to shell out $200 a ticket.

Cagey B:
Listen Republicans. This guy just wants you to turn into the Pussy Socialist Lite Party. You didn't lose because you were too conservative. You lost because you weren't conservative enough.

actually, you're right.

intractable, unwinnable foreign wars, huge spending programs and massive deficits - let alone the nationalization of major industries - are hardly conservative principles.

the republican party hasn't been "conservative" since eisenhower.

FTFA: "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?"

I believe him and I think this is true. I salute him for his willingness to say this (be sure to tune in to Rush's slimefest of Powell later today).

Having said that, I would be perfectly happy if the semi-official spokesmen for the republicans continues to be Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter.

No, I'm sorry, I beg to differ; spokesmen is in fact the propper inflection.

DistendedPendulusFrenulum: Occam's Chainsaw:

Rebuild a party focused on fiscal conservatism and personal freedom and call us back in a decade.

Word. There's nothing in the religious right's agenda that's about freedom. Ironically, religious freedom is the thing they'd most like to take away from everyone besides themselves.

.

I'd disagree. I think the 'religious' right has some valid views. I just wish they would switch their tactic to being advocates instead of trying to legislate their message into law.

It's one thing to espouse values and the benefits of them, it's quite another to attempt to have the Government attempt to make them law.

MFL: Sure...now everybody likes Powell again since he turned face and hit Dick Cheney with a steel chair after the match.

Now THAT I'd pay to see!

Phil Herup: saintstryfe: michaeld5: 1) War in Iraq

Not polled as a major concern. Even if it was, Conservative ideology lead to the way Iraq was handled.

2) Inefficient response to Katrina

Again, Conservative ideology.

3) Heightened disdain for perceived abuses in war on terror.

Caused by... Conservative ideology.

4) Dow and housing bubble meltdown in 2007-08.

Caused by conservative lawmakers and their religion of de-regulation.

Sorry.. not buying it


That is because you are a blind ideologue.

Blaming the housing bubble on conservatives shows your bias. Many were to blame on both sides, and probably more on the Dems there.

Katrina was a disaster. Firstly a complete and utter failure of the local and state gov'ts [(D) BTW] to protect their own constituents and also corruption had allowed federal monies to be misappropriated that was set aside for levee maintenance for years. What exactly were the Feds to do? I was a huge ginormous disaster. Please explain, without hindsight or Monday morning QB-ing, what they should have done.

War in Iraq --- "perceived abuses" in War on Terror:

What? That is getting wrapped up sooner than they thought. No one has attacked us here since, many leaders have been caught or killed. If the pussy-ass liberal style of do-nothing foreign policy was in effect who knows what attacks we could have faced already.

Please go on about conservative points and how they failed. Sure they farked up and often, but probably not as much as a Kerry or Gore administration would have. Those two are still a pair losers.

You seem to be dwelling further and further in the past as time goes by. Guess the past is the only place left for you, now.

CanisNoir: DistendedPendulusFrenulum: Occam's Chainsaw:

Rebuild a party focused on fiscal conservatism and personal freedom and call us back in a decade.

Word. There's nothing in the religious right's agenda that's about freedom. Ironically, religious freedom is the thing they'd most like to take away from everyone besides themselves.

.

I'd disagree. I think the 'religious' right has some valid views. I just wish they would switch their tactic to being advocates instead of trying to legislate their message into law.

It's one thing to espouse values and the benefits of them, it's quite another to attempt to have the Government attempt to make them law.

That's probably why it's not such a hot idea to include religious views in the platform of a political party.

Occam's Chainsaw: Rebuild a party focused on fiscal conservatism and personal freedom and call us back in a decade.

HELLOO--why can't these idiots see this?

There is a huge gap right in the middle of the political spectrum right now for a third party to step right up and take--fiscal conservatism, social liberalism--and who did we get? Ron Paul.

Come on people. We can do better than this.

Edsel: Please, for the love of God, do NOT listen to him, Republicans. Keep going on the Limbaugh/Hannity path. Stick to your principles!

Please no.

In theory, the GOP would become more marginalized as they become more conservative, more bigoted, more religious fundamentalist. But I wouldn't want to risk the off chance that they actually won an election with such a candidate. Stranger things have happened.

Progressives who snicker and say "Yea, haha, go nominate Palin--It's a guaranteed Dem win," will be kicking themselves if she pulled off a miracle, and the country would be doomed.

Better to encourage the GOP to reform itself into a party of sound governance.

FlashHarry: Cagey B:
Listen Republicans. This guy just wants you to turn into the Pussy Socialist Lite Party. You didn't lose because you were too conservative. You lost because you weren't conservative enough.

actually, you're right.

intractable, unwinnable foreign wars, huge spending programs and massive deficits - let alone the nationalization of major industries - are hardly conservative principles.

the republican party hasn't been "conservative" since eisenhower.

Eisenhower had massive tax rates on top incomes.

Not that I think this would necessarily be a bad idea, but I think most modern "conservatives" would reject it.

If Republicans write off Hispanics, the Democrats are in charge for the next 30 years, if not more.

Having to win the White vote 3-1 to win nationally ain't the way to go.

It's the way to become a regional party confined to parts of the Southeast and Mountain West.

medic2731: He did what he HAD to do with Bush. He HAD to say what he was told to say at the UN.

I'm sorry but "Just following orders" is not a valid reason to do something which you know to be wrong.

He wasn't in the military anymore. He COULD HAVE quit his job and written an article in the New York Times about how bogus this intelligence was, but instead he sold his honor and his integrity for a seat at the table. The fact that he KNEW what he was saying was bullshiat is what I can never forgive.

I don't CARE what Colin Powell does know, he will never be anything more than the head cheerleader for a failed foreign policy doctrine.

fiscal restraint and personal freedom are the pinnacle of our society, anything less is failure.