[ “I can no longer call myself a fellow Republican. I’m just a citizen.” ]
“We need you to be real Americans who we can trust, who will tell the truth, who will argue on the basis of facts.” – Powell to the Rep. party
Secretary of State Powell in front of the United Nations Security explained how Iraq had chemical weapons.
Political Views
“Free speech is intended to protect the controversial and even outrageous word, and not just comforting platitudes too mundane to need protection.” – Colin Luther Powell
Powell is a moderate Republican, however, he is known for being willing to support liberal causes. In regards to the matter of abortion, Powell is pro-choice. When it comes to the matter of gun control Powell is in favor of a reasonable amount of gun control. Powell is also in favor of affirmative action which is when race, color, religion, or gender comes into play in order to benefit an underrepresented group in the employment, education, and business areas. Recently in May 2012, Powell had stated that he supports same-sex marriage, he had already announced his support for the repeal of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy which prevented openly homosexual Americans from serving in the United States military.
“No briefing book, no television picture can convey what really happened here.” – Colin Luther Powell
Retirement from Public Service
After retiring to private life, Powell has since remained vocal about the government’s actions. He has also joined a couple of businesses. Rather recently Powell has joined the Board of Directors of Revolution Health which Former CEO of America Online (AOL) Steve Case started. Powell is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Council of Foreign Relations. Given Powell’s popularity he has dropped the ceremonial first puck at a couple of New York Islanders hockey games; Once on for Martin Luther King Day on January 21, 2008, and again on November 11, 2008, for Military Appreciation Day and Veterans Day. Powell has been openly on the Bush and then the Obama administrations. Given Powell’s experience in the military, he was seen by many as a potential presidential candidate. However, he declined to run when asked about it. Members of both the Republican and Democratic Parties admired his military experience which made Powell a popular potential presidential candidate. However, he has made headlines in recent years with his announcement that he would support Barack Obama in 2008 and then again in 2012. Powell’s name was floated around as a potential cabinet member shortly after Obama’s 2008 election.
Powell announced his endorsement of Barack Obama for President of the United States.
Colin Powell was a man who was born into a first-generation family who was able to make something of himself through the United States military and government. Throughout his career, Colin Powell has become one of the most respected and admired men in the United States. Colin Powell once said, “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” This quote from Colin Powell embodies how he achieved all the success that he has had throughout his long career in the United States military and government. He has not only been influential in the United States but he has also had a big influence internationally.
“I wish it was possible for everything to be race-neutral in this country, but I’m afraid we’re not yet at that point where things are race-neutral,” – Colin Luther Powell
