A General's Endorsement

I have enormous respect for Colin Powell. He is a man of vast accomplishment, broad experience, and impressive achievement. He is an intelligent and moderate man who exemplifies leadershipship. A public servant who has integrity as well as depth. He is everything that we should seek in a President, and I would vote for him in a heartbeat.

This morning Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama for President. He said:

"I think we need a transformational figure. I think we need a president who is a generational change and that's why I'm supporting Barack Obama, not out of any lack of respect or admiration for Sen. John McCain."

Powell indicated that he has known Barack Obama for the past two years and is very impressed by the man. I will not question his judgment.

Here’s my problem. When I take an objective look at Barack Obama, not over the past two years — the span of his presidential run — but over his entire adult lifetime, I simply do not see a man of vast accomplishment, broad experience, impressive achievement. I do not see a man who has been a successful leader in any meaningful context. In fact, even Obama's most ardent supporters are hard pressed to list transformational accomplishments or achievements prior to his presidential run.

I would agree that if Powell’s judgment is correct, Barack Obama could become a “transformational figure” because he has the charisma and the communication skills to transcend normal politics. But right now, all we can hope is that the past two years of soaring rhetoric will translate into eight years of achievement.

Colin Powell believes that they will. I hope he’s right.