I have mixed and admittedly contradictory feelings about Colin Powell. On one hand I think he represents the dictionary definition of what a patriot and hero is and on the other I think he is nothing short of a disappointment.
I read his military and political resume and one thought always comes to my mind – why on earth did he never run for President. With the benefit of hindsight, Powell could have been a godsend for the Republicans. His Presidency could have realistically ushered a permanent conservative majority.
I always speak about true conservatism – Powell is the embodiment of that phrase. During his time as Chairman of the Joint chiefs he reluctantly responded to international crisis by advocating military intervention. He believed that you should have a strong national defense, but you should also use your military power sparingly. What a concept, huh?
But with that said, Powell is very much a political coward. How this man who served admirably for his country doesn’t have the stomach for political warfare is beyond me. He had a chance to breakdown barriers that Obama had no chance of breaking.
Here is a man who rose through a notoriously difficult route in the armed forces, became the first black Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff, first black Secretary of State and he would have become the first black president – That story trumps Obama’s.
It’s well documented that his family worried for his safety and knowing the past history of American racial relations, I don’t blame them. But this was an opportunity for Mr Powell to accomplish his greatest achievement, to show the extreme right wingers in his own party how idiotic their views on race truly are and an opportunity to get rid of the stereotypical view that if a black person is a republican than he is a traitor. He could have united the country in a way that Obama has failed to do so. It would have been the perfect ‘Only in America’ moment.
But fear got the best of Powell. This is why I found the man tragically disappointing. Again, you can’t help but be in awe of his military achievements, but sometimes you are meant to do more in life. Sometimes a higher- power bestows on you talents of leadership for the use of the greater good, to lead your country to a better social-global plain.
Maybe if Powell ran as President in 92, the rise of the neo-conservative would have never taken place. Maybe the discourse of hate that runs deep within all political parties, but is seemingly running rampant and out of control in part of the Republican party’s blood stream could have been calmed. Maybe a man of color running for higher office wouldn’t have to deal with questions of patriotism or whether he is a ‘true’ American. Strange thought, but maybe a man of color could be judged on his merits as a Presidential candidate and not his ‘story’ (Sorry Obama).
Maybe the ‘Reluctant Warrior’ would have had different ideas for Iraq, I don’t know, we’ll never know. It’s a shame really because I believe that the Republicans, America and possibly the world have been denied of another great leader.
Just a normal everyday bloke writing about films.