Sununu & the Race Card

[August1991]

Colin Powell, one time Secretary of State under Republican president Bush Jnr, endorses Democrat Obama for president.

John Sununu, one time Republican governor of New Hampshire and chief of staff to Bush Snr, comments on the endorsement:

“When you take a look at Colin Powell, you have to look at whether that’s an endorsement based on issues or he’s got a slightly different reason for endorsing President Obama,” Sununu said.

Pressed by Morgan to explain the comment, he added: “I think when you have somebody of your own race that you’re proud of being president of the United States, I applaud Colin for standing with him.”

Link

Then, Sununu "retracts" the comment:

Former New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu issued a statement late Thursday night saying Powell is a friend and he respects the endorsement.

"I do not doubt that it was based on anything but his support of the president's policies," Sununu said in the statement.

AP

----

Race is the third-rail issue in American politics. It's more explosive than language is now in Canada (or possibly even than religion once was).

In Canada, Pierre Trudeau (like Laurier and St-Laurent before) won all the seats in Quebec and most seats outside Quebec where there were francophones or Catholics. Joe Clark (a Catholic) said that to beat Trudeau, an opponent starts 70 seats behind. "Similarly", black Americans (the current term is African Americans) vote massively for Obama. Exit polls suggest that about 96% of black Americans voted for Obama in 2008. (Link) By comparison, about 62% of Quebecers voted for Trudeau in 1979. (Link.)

I can understand why a minority would support a favourite son. For better or worse, we often prefer to belong to a group and this desire to belong transfers over to political choices. (This forum is evidence that much political debate sadly becomes Team A vs. Team B.)

But there is a difference between 96% and 62%.

Edited October 27, 2012 by August1991

[bush_cheney2004]

... "Similarly", black Americans (the current term is African Americans) vote massively for Obama. Exit polls suggest that about 96% of black Americans voted for Obama in 2008....

This observation should be tempered by the realities of actual voter turnout in the United States:

Edited October 27, 2012 by bush_cheney2004

[msj]

Ah yes, the racist card:

Link.

[punked]

Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, Fmr. Chief of Staff of Colin Powell and Moderate Republican: "Let me just be candid: My party is full of racists."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=DoVm2VgLgmo']

[Mr.Canada]

To say that a lot of blacks support Obama because he's black is accurate. I don't see the problem. This political correctness is killing us.

[punked]

To say that a lot of blacks support Obama because he's black is accurate. I don't see the problem. This political correctness is killing us.

Yah because Blacks didn't vote 95% Democratic before Obama Mr. Canada.

[cybercoma]

Yah because Blacks didn't vote 95% Democratic before Obama Mr. Canada.

Not to mention this isn't what's being said. What was said is that Colin Powell endorsed Obama because he's black.

[punked]

What Sununu said is disgusting and unforgivable. Any man who thinks Sununu should be connected to his campaign after those statements has a values problem. End of story Romney is a racist.

[bush_cheney2004]

To say that a lot of blacks support Obama because he's black is accurate. I don't see the problem. This political correctness is killing us.

Moreover, a lot of "whites" do not support Obama because he is black (50% anyway).

Edited October 27, 2012 by bush_cheney2004

[Mr.Canada]

Moreover, a lot of "whites" do not support Obama because he is black (50% anyway).

Of course, it goes both ways so I don't see the problem. Humans are tribal, the more the chattering class tries to deny it the more true it is. Get over it already. This isn't news.

[punked]

Of course, it goes both ways so I don't see the problem. Humans are tribal, the more the chattering class tries to deny it the more true it is. Get over it already. This isn't news.

It isn't news that Romney's top guy said Colin Powell life long republican is supporting Obama because of race because you say so? NO THIS IS NEWS. It is the Romney campaign people can vote for any reason they want but if Romney wants to run as a racist IT IS NEWS. Sorry.

[Mr.Canada]

It isn't news that Romney's top guy said Colin Powell life long republican is supporting Obama because of race because you say so? NO THIS IS NEWS. It is the Romney campaign people can vote for any reason they want but if Romney wants to run as a racist IT IS NEWS. Sorry.

Colin Powell is a Republican yet he is voting for Obama. he is voting for him because he is black. Simple as that.

[punked]

Colin Powell is a Republican yet he is voting for Obama. he is voting for him because he is black. Simple as that.

PROVE IT! It couldn't be he is voting for him because as a national Security expert he knows who would be best for the country.

You are a racist. End of story there buddy.

[Mr.Canada]

PROVE IT! It couldn't be he is voting for him because as a national Security expert he knows who would be best for the country.

You are a racist. End of story there buddy.

he has said it many times in interviews that he is happy that finally a black man is running for President. Read between the lines punked.

Lol. I am racist yet my wife is half black and my children are of mixed race. Yep, huge racist here.

[punked]

he has said it many times in interviews that he is happy that finally a black man is running for President. Read between the lines punked.

Lol. I am racist yet my wife is half black and my children are of mixed race. Yep, huge racist here.

Yep you are a racist. If you can't see past a man's race you are a racist and that is what your statement is about.

Hey look I can make stuff up to. I talked to Powell he said he choose to support Obama because Romney will most likely start another war American can't afford. In fact he is my wife and he told me that. See how easy it is to lie on the Internet when called out for not seeing past the colour of someones skin. Powell has never done anything (including working for republicans for 30 years) that would point to him ever being motivated by race. Sorry.

FACTS MATTER!

[Mr.Canada]

Yep you are a racist. If you can't see past a man's race you are a racist and that is what your statement is about.

Hey look I can make stuff up to. I talked to Powell he said he choose to support Obama because Romney will most likely start another war American can't afford. In fact he is my wife and he told me that. See how easy it is to lie on the Internet when called out for not seeing past the colour of someones skin. Powell has never done anything (including working for republicans for 30 years) that would point to him ever being motivated by race. Sorry.

FACTS MATTER!

If you read between the lines, you'll see that Powell is happy that Obama is a black man. I don't see what's racist in noticing that Obama is black. He doesn't have to publicly say it in order for it to be true. Everyone can tell.

I've offered people here a chance to meet up with me for lunch, a drink or whatever anytime they want in southern Ontario around the GTA. It's an open invitation. I'm a professional online poker player so I pretty much set my own hours.