Colin Powell endorsement of Obama no surprise-(A Cynical Decision based on Race??)

So Colin Powell has finally endorsed Barack Obama. Surprise Surprise. In September Colin Powell stated that the election of an African-American US president would be “electrifying” for the world. So he emphasized the African American aspect. Race is obviously an important issue for him even though he will deny it. He wishes to be part of history-as he sees it. Many white voters will see this as a further example of African -Americans closing ranks behind their man. Of course to suggest that race is a major consideration for Powell is to run the risk of being labelled racist. The unvarnished truth is that race was the major consideration. This could backfire badly on Obama. Many whites may decide in the privacy of the ballot box not to vote for an African- American president on the basis of closing ranks around their man.

It is safe to assume that a high proportion of the 98% of African Americans -who support Obama -will vote on the basis of the colour of his skin. Colin Powell can make all the lofty claims he likes about Obama but the reality is that he left the cat out of the bag in September.
In addition his endorsement has come late in the campaign. Looks like a cynical effort to secure a position in a putative Obama administration. Of course he agrees with Obama on issues such as abortion.

Powell criticized the tone of the McCain/Palin campaign and criticized Sarah Palin's readiness for office. This is risible. It is the ultimate in hypocrisy. Barack Obama has NO executive experience whilst Palin has executive experience as Governor of Alaska.
Apparently Powell is not at all concerned at the savage attacks on Sarah Palin.

Carpetbaggers have a chequered history in politics.

North Korea joins Castro, Hamas, Gaddafi and Chavez in expressing support for Obama:

The following is an excerpt of a fascinating story carried by the World Tribune newspaper: According to the Choson Sinbo, a newspaper run by ethnic Koreans in Japan and which supports North Korea, “North Korea prefers Democratic candidate Barack Obama over Republican John McCain.

"The Communist country, which has survived a relatively hawkish Bush administration, considers McCain "a variant of Bush" and "nothing better than a scarecrow of neoconservatives”……………………….”The newspaper expressed hope of better ties between North Korea and the United States under an Obama administration...”

This is highly embarrassing for Barrack Obama as already Fidel Castro has referred to him as “the most progressive candidate to the U.S. Presidency”. Gaddafi of Libya has already -on Al Jazeera- expressed a preference for Obama.
In addition Hugo Chavez of Venezuela favours Obama over McCain. Barack Obama -whilst cautious-has stated that he could meet Chavez.

Aaron Klein and John Batchelor interviewed Ahmed Yousef, chief political adviser to the Prime Minister of Hamas, on WABC radio. In the interview he stated that “Hamas has endorsed Barack Obama for President. Yousef said, "We like Mr. Obama and we hope he will win the election."
The interview is carried here:(Click on black arrow)

These endorsements are highly embarrassing for Obama and will undoubtedly become a major issue in the Presidential Election campaign. They reinforce the belief that Obama is suspect on foreign policy. Advantage to John McCain.

McCain band wagon gains momentum with Giuliani endorsement

John McCain- already buoyed up by a stunning victory over Mitt Romney in Florida -received further good news in the form of an endorsement from Rudi Giuliani. Giuliani stated that "We both believe in fiscal discipline…finally, we both believe in building a strong and broader Republican party. One that is growing and reaching out…” This endorsement may help McCain in states such as New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Of course conservatives may rave and rant about Giuliani's liberalism but the reality is that McCain has a greater capacity to reach out to Democratic and Independent voters than Romney.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is believed to be in discussions about endorsing John McCain’s presidential bid. In an interview on CNN- just now-however he was rather coy saying "I have nothing to announce today".

Two Georgia Republican senators, Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Issacson, have already committed to endorse McCain. If Schwarzenegger were to support McCain- in advance of Super Tuesday-Romney's prospects in California would be seriously diminished.