General Colin Powell Unleashes on the GOP, Rush Limbaugh

Retired General Colin Powell has unleashed on the GOP and Rush Limbaugh. I can't say I blame him, but I have to wonder about his timing. He is usually correct in his analysis and I have to applaud him for going after the Republicans once again. Gen. Powell said that the GOP must stop "shouting at the world" and start listening to minority groups if it is to win elections in the 21st century. Ouch.

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."

Powell, who crossed party lines and endorsed President-elect Barack Obama just weeks before the election, said the GOP must see what is in the "hearts and minds" of African-American, Hispanic and Asian voters "and not just try to influence them by… the principles and dogma." "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?" Source: CNN Political Ticker

I have always felt that Rush Limbaugh feels that he is the moral compass of the right wing. In reality, that's furthest from the truth. Limbaugh is quick to berate Barack Obama and the Democrats on just about everything, but what has he proposed to do instead? I wish he would run for elected office and really be the voice of the right wing that he feels he is. Rush Limbaugh spews hot air and nothing else. He, along with Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly, have been put on a pedestal and seem to think they speak of the majority of Republicans.

General Powell is absolutely correct in his statements and if the GOP is to rebuild itself and be taken seriously by African Americans, Latinos and Asians, then they need to lose these self-righteous goons. I have crossed party lines, much like Mr. Powell, and have voted for a Republican who, but I cannot bring myself to support a party that literally ignores blacks and Latinos. The reality is that the face of America is changing. Whites, who are a majority in the Republican Party, will be a minority in this country in a few years. So, if they do not change their mindset and be more inclusive, they will be in for a rude awakening. The GOP will be the loser in this scenario. They will have no one to blame but themselves. John McCain ran one of the worst campaigns I have ever seen, but the blame does not lie solely with him. There was a serious breakdown in the GOP and they will be faced with the same problem again in the next election. Unless, of course, Barack Obama fails miserably, which I have serious doubts about. I don't think he could sink lower than President Bush and his administration.