Quinn and Tennent: Powell endorsed Obama because "he's tired of being called an Oreo," "an Uncle Tom"
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SUMMARY: Quinn & Rose co-host Rose Tennent asserted that former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed Sen. Barack Obama "because he doesn't want to be known as an Uncle Tom anymore. He wants to be black again." Co-host Jim Quinn later said of Powell, "He's tired of being called an Oreo."
On the October 20 broadcast of The War Room with Quinn & Rose, co-host Rose Tennent asserted that former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed Sen. Barack Obama "because he doesn't want to be known as an Uncle Tom anymore. He wants to be black again." Co-host Jim Quinn later said of Powell, "He's tired of being called an Oreo." Additionally, during the segment, Quinn said of Powell, "[R]emember, when he was in the Bush administration, he was a white guy." Tennent responded: "Blacks hated him. They -- 'Oh, he doesn't count. It doesn't count that you have someone black in the administration. He's not really black, he's an Uncle Tom.' "
Tennent later stated, "He did endorse another black candidate once, Colin Powell -- a Democrat -- I'm going to have to look it up to see who it was, but he did do that before. So, you know, when we talk about racism and racists, I think that this is racism."
From the October 20 broadcast of Clear Channel's The War Room with Quinn & Rose:
TENNENT: I think -- when you told me this yesterday, I said to you, "Jim, he doesn't want to be known as an Uncle Tom anymore. He wants to be black again."
QUINN: And I said --
TENNENT: And that is it.
QUINN: -- and I said, "Brilliant observation," because, I mean, remember, when he was in the Bush administration, he was a white guy.
TENNENT: Yup.
QUINN: He was a white guy.
TENNENT: Blacks hated him. They -- "Oh, he doesn't count. It doesn't count that you have someone black in the administration. He's not really black, he's an Uncle Tom."
QUINN: He's black by popular demand.
TENNENT: Yay!
QUINN: He's back and he's black. He's got his creds back. Is that -- I mean, maybe he's -- look, you could be very right here. He's tired of being called an Oreo. He was nothing but vilified by -- you know, whenever those of us on the right would say, "Well, you know, Bush has got a black secretary of state," they'd say, "Oh, yeah, right -- Colin Powell. Yeah, sure."
TENNENT: That doesn't count.
QUINN: And now the shoe is on the other foot.
TENNENT: Well, you know, and I -- oh, I can't remember, it just hit me right now. He did endorse another black candidate once, Colin Powell -- a Democrat -- I'm going to have to look it up to see who it was, but he did do that before. So, you know, when we talk about racism and racists, I think that this is racism.
QUINN: Well, and you know, something else he said, he said he couldn't bear to see Republicans or Bush or whoever -- I forget exactly what the phrasing was -- appoint any more Supreme Court justices. So I guess he's got a problem with Clarence Thomas --
TENNENT: Wow. Wow.
QUINN: -- and Sam Alito.
So, when Powell supported the Bush Administration's march to war, was it to bolster sister Condalezza Rice? What a bunch of rubbish. Any person of color who thinks they are Republican needs to know that this is what their "friends" think of them when push comes to shove. They are being used by the Cons to pretend they are "big tent", but will throw you under the bus in a heartbeat if it suits their agenda.
Which explains why McCain won't even visit family. Turns out his ancestors owned a couple oh slaves, and McCain refuses to visit his black inlaws because he doesn't want anyone to know about them.
Denied black relative urges McCain to accept ancestry
"Do you think it could make a difference with regard to diversity issues, issues of race, if John McCain did participate [in the reunions]?" asked Phillips.
"I think it probably could," said Ms. McCain. "It would give him an opportunity to know us. I e-mailed him back in 2000 to remind him of his ties to Teoc, Mississippi.
"I heard him say on, I believe it was Meet the Press, that his ancestors owned no slaves. Well, I certainly have carried the name McCain from the beginning of my life, and I've known the ties to John McCain, and have tried to get him to communicate with me about that, but he has been unwilling at least to date."
My direct ancestors definitely owned slaves. We've done the geneology. I have no problem talking about it. In fact, my grandfather was in the KKK back in the deep south. He only left the organization because, get this, he didn't like how they were beating adulterers.
Only a couple generations before, my family was poor racist southerners. However, due to dust bowl conditions, they moved to the pacific northwest to pick apples in Eastern Washington orchards. Think about how poor you have to be to consider picking apples, a big economic opportunity. A strange thing happened, the next generation was far less racist than the previous. The vicious circle was broken.
I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to be free of the racism that plagued my ancestors. I feel bad for them because they were largely trapped by their upbringing and circumstances. I often wonder if I had been raised amongst unrelenting racism, would I also follow my forebearers down the rabbit hole of hate. I'd like to think that I wouldn't but there are no guarantees.
I think if you like yourself, you have to come to grips what makes you genetically and culturally as well as recognize the power you have to fashion your future despite what your family has done in the past. If McCain hasn't been able to do this, I feel sorry for him. It's very liberating.
I have a very different background. I grew up in Frankfort, MI. It was a little town, maybe 2000 people during the summer, and until I learned later pretty much white. My first experience with minorities was when I was selling mag subscriptions for band (yeah, I was in band. never went to band camp, darn it!). On the extreme outskirts of town I came across an unpaved drive, made that treck in, and surprise! as a 14 year old met my first minority family. I'm extremely thankful my parents taught me respect, because I got over my surprise rather quickly, gave my canned speel about mag subscriptions, got a sale, and even had a nice meal - all because we had mutual respect going. They even gave me a ride back into town. My experience says it has little to do with cultural, it has mostly to do with what your parents taught you and how. For me, it boiled down to respecting my elders.
My kids truly do not see race. I deliberately moved them away from an elementary school that was almost all white rich kids to one that had a more diverse student body, both economically and racialy. They truly have friends of several races and don't seem to even notice race.
This warms my heart, because even my mother who doesn't think she's a racist (and isn't really) identifies people as "that black guy" or says someone "sounds black" on the phone or still insists on calling asians "oriental". I grew up hearing her insist that black people smelled funny and all could sing and dance. It was cringe-inducing. She's voting for Barack all the way, but still has prejudices that show in small ways.
This is the kind of prejudice that Barack himself talked about in his seminal speech on race. He mentioned his grandmother feeling fear when she passed a black stranger on the street. Those on the right have said through his own grandmother under the bus, but that was not the case. He was showing extreme compassion for someone whose views and fears were shaped by a different time. This is the mark of an amazing person, and one that can perhaps hold up a mirror to both sides in the race debate so that we can see ourselves more clearly.
One of the truly nice things in life about your background? My mom said many of the same things. My wife is mexican, my mom was the type who differentiated between white women. My sis was jeleous of me, she tried to capitalize on that for some strange reason - like my mom was gonna really be less likely to help me if I was in need (never happened) vs. her (seems like a yearly thing). My mom got it after 5 years and truly loves Viola because she has the same values - 22 years married to me (a schmuck at times I'm reminded!) vs. two husbands and a new boyfriend. Moms may be slow, but surprisingly, if they aren't blinded by religion, they get it.
Interesting topic. I am 60. I grew up in SoCalif. I saw racism out there. I left in 77 and lived 4 years in Tempe, Az. I saw racism there. In the early 80's I spent 3 1/2 years traveling 9 states selling aerial photography to farmers, rual people and businesses. In Mn. I never experienced racism. Same with Wi. BUT, in Tn., Ky., In., Ms., Ar., Ok., Tx. I saw PLENTY. ? are these RED states? VERY interesting indeed!!!!!!!! Some (repukelican) African Americans have a very interesting case of stinking thinking and need a check-up from the neck up.
He only left the organization because, get this, he didn't like how they were beating adulterers.
Were they holding the whips in their LEFT hands? :-)
Which explains why McCain won't even visit family. Turns out his ancestors owned a couple oh slaves, and McCain refuses to visit his black inlaws because he doesn't want anyone to know about them.
Maybe he's afraid they'll ask him for money.
What else are you suppose to do with a multi-millionaire cousin?
I have wondered for a long time now if there was any slaveholding in the McCain family history. (I had thought there probably was.) Then, yesterday, I saw for the first time a story on CNN about the black McCains from South Carolina. Is this story not being covered elsewhere?
how foolish. they are so removed, what makes them family.
From my armchair perspective, it sure looks like the Powell endorsement knocked the rug out form under the Joe-the-plumber surge in the McCain poll numbers. So how does the GOP fight back? With racism. Because we all know that standing up to bigotry is the same as being a racist, right?
As for this "spread the wealth" line, doesn't McCain know what his hero, Teddy Roosevelt, thought about progressive taxation? Please see "Teddy Roosevelt, 'Socialist' Advocate of Progressive Taxation," by Steven Waldman at "http://blog.beliefnet.com/stevenwaldman/2008/10/teddy-roosevelt-socialist-advo.html.
Well that was probably the most racist thing said on air yet. Yet these clowns claim it's Obama who is playing the race card? When they gonna just come out and call him a en-ah-double guh-er? You can just feel the tension in the air as they froth at the mouth at the idea of saying it...
Right. "We are racists and reactionaries, so we feel threatened by the idea that a black Republican man could vote for Obama for reasons other than race, no matter how well he states them."
"I come to the conclusion that because of his ability to inspire, because of the inclusive nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities -- and you have to take that into account -- as well as his substance -- he has both style and substance," Powell said. "He has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president."
Funny. These are some of the reasons I support him as well and I'm a white guy. These guys are just pi$$ing scared because they see their Neo-Con dream --one that took decades to organize and implement --being crushed by a staggering grass roots movement. They can't deal with the reality of their failed policies, so they have to invent and disseminate phony reasons that shift responsibility away from them.
What a great time to be alive.
Living in Pittsburgh and being on the road in the early AM, I tuned into these two to hear "the hate of the day". I promise you that if you should find them on some station and listen, you cannot go two minutes before one of them tells you how bad liberals really are...."They lie, They cheat, They are unholy...They are terrorists" etc, etc, etc. What you have read in the MMFA posting is just a few minutes of their show..the WHOLE SILLY Show is this type of crap. And remember, Rosary Rose thinks she is a top-notch Christian. Funny what a lousy mirror of your soul does for you. And for Quinny, he is a true man-sissy who once worked with Mr. Jeff Christie in Pittsburgh and looks up to him---as he probably did back in the '70's. AHEM...
I hope that whoever takes over as President allows these two Billy Madisons to stay on the air. They can enjoy badmouthing not only the elected Democrats but also will be able to hate any Republicans who didn't vote for McCain...I'll call and let them know that they are by FAR,FAR,FAR,FAr (right) the two most influenctial people in their studio.
Gallagher on Powell’s endorsement: ‘Race is the factor I think that drives much of this.’»
Responding to former Secretary of State Colin Powell’s endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), right-wing talker Mike Gallagher declared on his radio show today that “race is the factor I think that drives much of this” because Powell is “enamored and in love with the concept of a black man being president of these United States.” Gallagher then suggested that Powell might not “have the intellectual capacity to, you know, make a distinction and realize the difference” between Obama and the “long list of black Americans who would make fine presidential candidates.”
There ya have it folks. Republicans used Powell as long as it suited it's needs and then threw him under the bus. In the republican party the 10 or so blacks that support them are nothing more then brain addled pawns to be trotted out for 15 minutes of fame. Yup, black people who vote republican are too stupid to vote but will be "allowed" to vote as long as they vote republican. I can only imagine how a whole race of people must feel about being treated like that (though Viola reminds me when necessary!)
This is pretty awful the more I think about it. As long as Republicans think this way, they will lose. I'd actually like to see Republicans truly believe in fiscal responsibility and elect leaders that are "compassionate conservatives." This bunch are nothing but crooks and liars. And racists.
Former Congressman JC Watts' own father said it best - "A black man voting for a Republican is like a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders."
(And he was referring to the KFC founder - NOT the fine individual who posts here at MMFA.)
I am amazed after "using the Google" how quickly the Benedict-Powell (someone on another strand posted a picture from some sight) meme has taken hold -- it only goes to show how talking point and kool-aid drinking Reaper pundits are.
That would have been me! ;)
Is those the white flags of surrender? Boy those guys are so clever!
(Are those) sorry--
There is a theory that the 500,000+ people the Romans fed to the Lions were really republicans. If that theory is true, They did NOT HAVE ENOUGH LIONS or ran out of time. Which is it. ( I just postulated this theory so not a lot of thought went into it. Sort of like a republican wouldn't you say?)
Scratch a Republican and you find a racist. Lincoln must be rolling over in his grave.
Why would Lincoln be rolling in his grave? He wanted to "free" the slaves from slavery. However, he STILL wanted to send them on a boat back to Africa.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a great admirer of Lincoln's but: "Why would Lincoln be rolling in his grave? He wanted to "free" the slaves from slavery. However, he STILL wanted to send them on a boat back to Africa"
He was not really all that much in favor of freeing the slaves, not to start with. If he'd been President during a time when there was no Civil War we MIGHT have had slaves for much longer than we actually did. Lincoln was against the spread of slavery into new states, but would have gone along with "peaceful co-existence" with the existing slave states if they had not ceceded. But he cared more for the solidarity of the union than he was against slavery, and he finally emancipated the slaves as an economic and war-time fatal blow used to defeat the Confederacy.
Lincoln had to live in his times, as we do in ours, and he was probably as tolerant of black people as he could be...but yes, he did feel the best solution was to move as many of them back to Africa as possible. That he didn't live long enough to see that it was NOT the best solution probably makes no real difference. If he had lived, it still probably would not have worked to any great extent.
On November 18, 1863, Lincoln gave a speech at the dedication of a national cemetery, created roughly six months after a ferocious battle there. That speech changed the locus of the Civil War from individual states’ rights to the rights of the individual [American]. That battle took place in Pennsylvania, at Gettysburg.
Some of the things Lincoln said in the Douglas debates were very republican. Like "blacks" not having the intellectual capacity to ever integrate whith "whites". Lincoln was a closet-racist if you ask me. Of course in fairness, when a man is beaten down to nothing having come from nothing by the standards of the slave era, it is very difficult to rise up like Obama, when everybody is trying their best to "keep you in your place" When Obama flushes, it has a higher IQ than babybush.
Actually, racists have an out with Obama. They can say that he's a genetic anomaly that received all of his brains from his white half.
However, if you tell them that man originated from africa you will get an ear full of BS or as it is better known: Republicanese.
There ought do be a daily ranking from this point on for the most desperate right-wing commentator. Limbaugh, as usual, lead the way, but these two jerks are giving him a run for the money today.
I think you'd find that the same disgusting talking points are trickling down from PigBoy and Hanniturd to their local acolytes. Occasionally, I force myself to listen to our local Talk Radio Troglodytes, and they are invariably repeating the same nonsense I heard From PigBoy the day before. You'll also hear the same lies oozing from the lips of the RNC robots who show up on the Cable Talk shows. The GOP Big Lie Machine is remarkably disciplined; that's why they've dominated national politics for the last decade or so.
Fortunately, the rise of the blogosphere and a growing Liberal presence in Talk Radio is starting to turn the tide. An Obama victory could possibly be the final stake in the heart of Rovian Politics. At least we can hope so.
Final stake..would that be wooden or well-done.
Final stake..would that be wooden or well-done.
"Stakes" can be wooden - "steaks" can be well-done.
and reublicants can just be done!
I don't think any stake could be placed into the heart of Rovian Politics. Only the Democratic vote will destroy the evil nonsense.
These people are disgusting. If this was about race, Powell would have done this months ago. He was black then, and he's black now.
Also, how did MMFA miss Limbaugh's comment today?
Well (as Reagan would have said), MMFA is like a septic tank. Topics are like poop. We are just comenting on the kinds of poop in the tank. You can put only so much in a septic tank. Or billybob's comedy hour would be 4 hours as would be inshannity's twinkie zone hour.
Every time I see one of Gramps McCain's "Country First" signs or hear him, Caribou Barbie, or any other concervative claim that they're more patriotic than I am, I'm reminded of the immortal words of Samuel Johnson:
Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.
Could not ask for a better example of what the right wing is about. These idiots are indeed useful.
So these two twerps claim that Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama only because of race and "this is racism."
And then literally in the very next breath they say Powell has "a problem with Clarence Thomas."
Which is about as inteluctually deep and consistent as the right-wing jerks ever get.
That of course was supposed to be "intellectually." I was going to go for a silly poke at the duo with "inneluctually," changed my mind, and only corrected half the spelling.
Which I suppose shows how deep I can be.
It wasn't too long ago that General Powell was called by Uncle Tom by Hairy Bellefonte simply because he worked for the Bush administration. He was the slave brought into the masahs' house. We're so glad that lefties think nothing of denegrating people, especially Americans of black african ancestry, when it suits them. Several of you here even said that lynching was a perfectly good word for use by an American of black african heritage when protecting Fannie mae's CEO, Raines.
I disagree with Powell's reasoning for supporting Obama. I believe he like other Americans of black african descent who are Republicans, JC Watts is another, are enthralled with the idea of an American of black african descent becoming president. Nothing wrong with that at all, but be willing to acknowledge it as the factor. Because, how else could these men justify supporting a near-marxist for the presidency? Maybe they would be doing this if Michael Steele was the Republican candidate.
And I do believe for Powell this is about restoring his credibility in the black community. It has to bother him that the Julian Bonds, Bellefontes and Mfumes of the world compared him with conservatives like Connerly, Rice and Thomas when he was no conservative himself. Republicans accepted him as moderate-to-liberal thinker, but it was the leftists in this country that would not accept him and called him names.
On this site, he and others were called these names by you guys because you felt he was disloyal to his race. Quinn and Rose simply were validating the fact that the left will no longer call him those disgusting names because he joined the other 95% of Americans of black african descent who will vote for Obama, and say like him, it's not about race.
Look out! I think you just set off the liberals that post on this site. The next several posts are likely to be denigrating and mean towards you (and now me).
What do you call a conservative who wins an argument with a liberal? Bigot!
Your "disagreement" with Powell is based on the idea that Obama is a "near-Marxist". He isn't. Powell said there's nothing socialistic with changing the tax structure, and he's right.
So now the argument is that a four-star general doesn't have the courage to stand up for his own beliefs because Harry Belafonte called him a name. That's hilarious.
Considering other conservatives have endorsed Obama for the same reasons, you have no basis for doubting what Powell said. You just called a distinguished military man a liar and a coward because he's black. Is that typical for you, or are you just that desperate?
Also it should be noted that if Obama is a "near-Marxist", and this label is supposed to be reasonable, then you're saying Powell would support someone with that ideology for the sake of skin color. That's on top of being a liar and a coward.
Did you think about this stuff at all, seriously?
proudconservative here are some more Republicans voting for Barack Obama because he is Afro-American. By your logic Joe Lieberman is endorsing a conservative for president(never has before) because McCain is "white." Explain these please :
Photographic Proof : Powell Endorsement ABOUT RACE!
by Jimmy Crackcorn
Tue Oct 21, 2008 at 04:14:24 AM PDT
Poor Rush Limbaugh. He just can't get over the fact that Colin Powell thought that Barack Obama was a better man to be President than John McCain. In Rush Limbaugh's eyes, the only reason that Powell could have possibly endorsed Obama was because they share the same skin color.
Yesterday Rush has this to say:
I have some news for Rushbo. Many other prominent Conservative African Americans have also endorsed Barack Obama for President. Let me name a few other Republicans who are also voting for Obama because they are black:
Son of the National Review's founder Christopher Buckley is voting for Obama because he's black.
Granddaughter of the 34th President Susan Eisenhower is voting for Obama because she's black.