Powell: GOP has 'a dark vein of intolerance'

Politico ^

[Sub-Driver]

Powell: GOP has 'a dark vein of intolerance'

By GINGER GIBSON | 1/13/13 11:05 AM EST

While continuing to identify as a Republican, former Secretary of State Colin Powell on Sunday criticized the GOP for a series of racist attacks against President Barack Obama.

"There's also a dark vein of intolerance in some parts of the party," Powell said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "What do I mean by that? What I mean by that is they still sort of look down on minorities."

Powell, who endorsed Obama, pointed to a number of statements that were directed at Obama as evidence that there is still racism within the party.

"When I see a former governor say that the president is 'shuckin' and jivin'.' That's a racial-era slave term," Powell said, referring to former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin using the term to describe Obama's response to the attacks in Libya.

Powell also pointed to former New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu, who was an aggressive surrogate for Mitt Romney, for calling Obama "lazy" after the first debate during the campaign.

"He didn't say he was slow, he was tired, he didn't do well; he said he was 'lazy,'" Powell said "Now, it may not mean anything to most Americans, but to those of us who are African Americans, the second word is "shiftless," and then there's a third word that goes along with it."

Powell also eschewed the "birther movement."

"The whole birther movement: Why do senior Republican leaders tolerate this kind of discussion within the party?" Powell asked. "I think the party has to take a look at itself."

[ilgipper]

You are likely correct. He looks to be perfectly ok with the agenda. I previously looked at Powell today in the same light as McCain during the early Bush years. A useful idiot who sells themselves out for good press and popularity on the cocktail circuit. As you and others suggested here, he probably is just a liberal in the first place and completely on board with the agenda of Obama. He was never a real Republican nor even slightly conservative...he just put the label on to advance his career.

[Marathoner]

Kiss my ass Powel. I don't care what color 0bama is. He is a racist, a Fascist and he hates this country. He is a traitor and that has nothing to do with the color of his skin

Exactly, and not to mention that the Marxist POS is Constitutionally ineligible (Yeah, Powell, I'm a birther. Deal with it, you lying sack of s##t)

[dervish]

Colin Powell has a large vein of leftism. And a large vein of Jackson/Sharpton manipulative grievance politics.

[fwdude]

So, is Colon Bowel telling us that a half-black impostor can’t be lazy merely because he is half black?

[McGruff]

Since Obama is half white how can he be a minority?