Colin Powell for President 2004
Running Mate: Christine Whitman
We can't afford to wait for Bush Jr to eat more pretzels! The USA needs a new President ASAP.
January 2004: Sadly, this campaign is NEVER going to happen. If you want a moderate President with real military experience, you'll need to look elsewhere.
On 16 September 1995, General Powell gave an interview on the TV show 20/20. He immediately struck me as an honorable and reasonable man, worthy of my respect and my vote.
Colin then began discussions with the Republican leadership about the future of the party. Unfortunately for America (and the world), they chose to exclude his views of "the big tent" in favor of stronger fundamentalism.
In November 1995 Colin formally declared his intent to NOT run for President. Instead, he chose to work quietly within the party as a lonely voice of moderation, a role which he continues to fill in the current big-spending faux-conservative administration.
In early 2005, Secretary Powell will probably resign, whether or not Bush is re-selected. Mr Secretary, your country begs that you reconsider: please don't step down when we need you to step up, all the way to the Oval Office!
News
On 21 May 2003, Christine Whitman made the bold first step towards the 2004 election. She resigned as Head Apologist of the EPA, presumably to spend more time with her family. I say Nay! Madame Governor, your nation needs you.
Platform
Known views of Colin Powell (with general agreement from Christie Whitman):
- Political Party: Republican.
- Philosophy: "I am a fiscal conservative with a social conscience."
- Ideology: "I'm certainly more moderate in my views than most of the more active Republicans who are out there right now fighting for the heart and soul of the party. If I do enter electoral politics in whatever form, I would try to make it as open a candidacy and as large a tent as the Republicans are fond of saying."
- Military Policy: action should be rare but decisive.
"I am angry that so many sons of the powerful and well-placed managed to wangle slots in Reserve and National Guard units. Of the many tragedies of Vietnam, this raw class discrimination strikes me as the most damaging to the ideal that all Americans are created equal and owe equal allegiance to their country."
-- Colin Powell,
1995 Sep 9
- Foreign Policy: consensus building and diplomacy.
- Federal Budget: "I think we have to look at all the entitlement programs. Nothing should be off the table. We have to look at everything the government is doing. We have to look at corporate welfare. We have to look at all these tax loop-holes. You know, people talk about preferences, affirmative action and quotas. Let's look at the affirmative action preferences and quotas that are given to K-Street lobbyists and lawyer. And let's get rid of them while we're getting rid of other quotas and preferences."
- Abortion: "If a woman becomes pregnant and does not wish the child, I hope she would carry the child to term and then put the child up for adoption. If, however, it is her choice to abort, it's a matter between her, her doctors, her family and her conscience and her God."
- Crime: "Building jails is a temporary fix, not the solution."
- Drugs: "If you want to solve our drug problem, you won't do it by trying to cut off supply."
- Guns: "I am a gun owner. But at the same time I am willing to put up with some level of inconvenience in acquiring guns or having guns in my possession that makes sure I am a responsible citizen who should be allowed to have a gun. (I support) registration and waiting a certain amount of time."
- Religion: "I am troubled by the political passion of those on the extreme right who seem to claim divine wisdom on political as well as spiritual matters. God provides us with guidance and inspiration, not a legislative agenda."
- School Prayer: "I think prayer belongs first and foremost in the home. But I have no problem if, on arriving at school, a quiet moment is allowed for the child to do whatever the child wishes to do in that private moment."
Endorsements
Go back to Frankie's Politics Page, or wherever you came from. Last updated 2004/11/15.