by John McCormick
GARY, Ind. – Sen. Barack Obama said today that he values Colin Powell's kind words, but that he has not spoken to the popular retired general in some time.
"I actually haven't talked to Gen. Powell in several months, but he is a friend and somebody who I respect deeply," Obama said in an interview with Tribune-owned WGN and CLTV television stations.
"He's somebody whose counsel I value and I'm grateful for his recognition that we can have differences of opinion -- or be part of different political parties -- but that we can still acknowledge the service we are rendering to the country," he said.
Earlier today, in a Good Morning America interview, Powell said he believes Obama is someone who can "learn quickly," so he is not concerned about his relative lack of foreign policy experience.
Obama also told the television stations that he expects controversial statements made by his longtime Chicago pastor will be used against him, if he makes it to a general election against Republican Sen. John McCain.
"I think there is no doubt that we will see Rev. Wright comments re-circulating during a general election," he said. "I think there is no way of preventing that."
But Obama said he trusts the American people to "sort out what's important and what's not.''
The Illinois Democrat also commented on the controversy over the upcoming Olympics in China.
"The Olympics always has been a place where people register their concerns," Obama said. "We can look back to Jesse Owens running in German Olympics back in the '30s to know that this is not a new phenomenon.
"China clearly has not upheld the kinds of human rights that we would expect from such a major actor on the world stage and what I've said is that taking a measured approach where the president is not attending the opening ceremonies, as a way to register our disappointment with what's happening in Tibet and China's lack of vigorous action on Sudan, is an appropriate step. But, if China is able over the next several months to take concrete steps to address some of these issues, obviously, then a president could reconsider."
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Comments
"But Obama said he trusts the American people to "sort out what's important and what's not."
Sen. Obama is right and this is VERY important. His 20 year mentor-relationship with Wright cannot be dismissed with a pretty speech.
We are at a very dangerous time in our history and it is not the time to elect a president who has not been property vetted.
Posted by: JanetP | April 10, 2008 5:40 PM
Is this how we do diplomacy, but continuing in the role as bully? Bush tried this tactic for 8 years and look at our mess. Now Obama's wants to take the same masculine role. Haven't we learned that when we push, we are pushed back? Obama has no experience or wisdom and perhaps is a plant by the Arab world to destroy this country. The Islamic world certainly has enough oil money to pull off such a coup.
Posted by: Richard Williams | April 10, 2008 5:49 PM
Gen. Powell is a true man of character and honor. This was an endorsement even if he didn't say it was. God bless Colin Powell. I salute you!!!
Posted by: Logic Prisoner | April 10, 2008 6:26 PM
Richard, go crawl back under your rock and for god's sake, put your gas mask back on.....they're comming to get you!!! LOL! Thanks for aspousing your stupidity, we all got a good laugh at your expense.
The article is interesting: It's too bad Colin is black, as he would make a GREAT VP for Obama. And no, that is not a racist comment, it is just practical not to have an all black ticket for the Dems in November, as that might be pushing the envelope a little too far for the fence sitting racists out there. I have always admired Colin Powell, and even more so now.
Posted by: Xcellentform | April 10, 2008 6:33 PM
Obama has no experience or wisdom and perhaps is a plant by the Arab world to destroy this country. The Islamic world certainly has enough oil money to pull off such a coup.
Posted by: Richard Williams | April 10, 2008 5:49 PM
Bush already did it for them Richard. You may now return to smoking your Meth! p.s. just because your paranoid, doesn't mean they're not after you.
Posted by: ThEGREALiE | April 10, 2008 8:12 PM
I have always admired Colin Powell, and even more so now.
Posted by: Xcellentform | April 10, 2008 6:33 PM
First of all you seem like a tard when you repeat "LOL!!" in every post. LOL!!
Secondly WHY would a mediocre desk jockey like Colin Powell make a great VP? LOL!!!
You admire him? LOL!!! Can you tell us why, exactly? LOL!! Is it because he admitted that he knew the case for War he delivered to the UN was BS at the time he delivered it but he lacked the courage to resist his employers? LOL!!!
I suppose you'll give me some nonsense about him being a good soldier and doing his duty. LOL!!!! Yeah, right, The Nuremburg Defense. LOL!!! Had he resigned, then there'd be something to admire. As it is, he's a lapdog.
LOL!!!!
Posted by: MJ | April 10, 2008 8:50 PM
MJ, thanks for the good chuckle that your last post gave me. It is clear that you, being the Republican that you are, are willing to throw any and all other Republicans under the bus to get your precious McCain into the big chair. I'd like to think that I still keep a very open mind durring this whole contest and will judge people on their merit. Last time I checked, we are currently suffering from your Republican driven war. While I'm tempted to slam a LOL in there, there is NOTHING funny about the postion that the Rupublicans have put us in, as far as the economy, treasure, world opinion, trade,.......
Posted by: Xcellentform | April 10, 2008 9:09 PM
Regarding the Olympics, if countries want to make a political statement at the games and specifically the opening cermonies, they should have their country's "uniform" look just the Tibetian monks orange robes. Do you think that would tweek the ChiComs?
Posted by: Terry | April 10, 2008 10:33 PM
JanetP, you're so wise and make such a great point. We need to vet Obama to ensure that he doesn't actually hate America. After all, that pastor said God (blank) America - I saw it on my teevee and the youtubes! That means he hates America!
And Obama went to that church for 20 years! Does he really hate America?!? Is he trying to get elected president so he can institute sharia law and turn America into an Islamic state while enslaving all the white people, who he also hates?!? It's possible!!! He needs to be vetted!!! VETTED!!!
I propose a public vetting of Barack Obama. We just don't know enough about this guy! We shall vet him until he cannot be vetted anymore! No more free passes, Barack - you're about to be vetted on an international level. Get your vetting shoes on, because it's vetting time. You can't hide behind your fancy talk and inspiring books anymore - we're on to you, pal, and you shall be vetted! VETTED!
Booyah, JaniceP. Nailed it!
Posted by: chad_broski | April 10, 2008 11:15 PM
So, we are willing to meet with hostile leaders face to face, giving face time, without preconditions because that's a better approach, but we will not be attending their Olympics, not giving face time, so we can show our "disappointment" over their human rights record so long as things don't improve, also know as preconditions.
Posted by: interesting | April 11, 2008 2:01 AM
Posted by: Xcellentform | April 10, 2008 9:09 PM
I admire you're being abled to good-naturedly take being kidded. Not everybody here can do that.
As for Powell, I never admired the guy, but after he admitted that he lacked the courage to resist the Bush administration when he knew they were wrong, I lost whatever shred of respect I had for him.
I was opposed to starting the war but I recognize that stopping it will be no quick and easy task. I agree with Powell's statement of the obvious: "If we break Iraq... we own it."
As for the position the Republicans put us in -- they had plenty of help from a mostly compliant Democratic Party... including both presidential contenders.
Posted by: MJ | April 11, 2008 6:48 AM