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Romney Surrogate John Sununu Suggests (Then Retracts) That Colin Powell Endorsed Obama Because He’s Black

Oct. 26, 2012 7:57am Billy Hallowell

Despite his Republican allegiances, on Thursday, former Secretary of State Colin Powell issued his official endorsement of President Barack Obama. While the revered political figure heralded the president’s accomplishments, praised his foreign policy and noted other reasons for sticking with Obama, former New Hampshire governor and top Romney surrogate John Sununu seemed to indicate that another factor may be driving Powell’s support: race.

In an appearance on CNN’s “Piers Morgan Tonight,” Sununu made some controversial comments about the former secretary of state’s endorsement. At first, he seemed to dance around the subject, but when prompted, Sununu noted that race is likely a factor.

“Well, I’m not sure how important that is. I do like the fact that Colin Powell’s boss, George Herbert Walker Bush, has endorsed Mitt Romney all along,” he told host Piers Morgan. “And frankly, when you take a look at Colin Powell, you have to wonder whether that’s an endorsement based on issues or whether he’s got a slightly different reason for preferring President Obama.”

Naturally, Morgan asked what the reason he alluded to might be.

John Sununu Suggests Colin Powell Endorsed Obama Because Hes Black

Former New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu (Photo Credit: CNN)

“Well, I think when you have somebody of your own race that you’re proud of being president of the United States, I applaud Colin for standing with him,” Sununu responded.

A few hours after the CNN appearance, the former New Hampshire governor issued a statement, walking back his comments about race as a motivating factor in Powell’s support of Obama.

“Colin Powell is a friend and I respect the endorsement decision he made and I do not doubt that it was based on anything but his support of the president’s policies,” the statement read. “Piers Morgan’s question was whether Colin Powell should leave the party, and I don’t think he should.”

Watch the controversial CNN segment, below (section starts at :50):

(H/T: Huffington Post)

–

Related:

Colin Powell Endorses Obama Again: ‘We’ve Come Out of the Dive and We’re Starting to Gain Altitude’

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Comments (169)

Carbine
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:42am
Powell’s vote for Barry Soetoro is only because he is black. If you think otherwise you are really blind as well as stupid! I have no idea why Powell is still called “Republican”. He is about as much a Republican as Barry is native born American!

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- LIBSALWAYSLIE
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 12:28pm
  Powell is for obama because of race, period. I’ve lost all respect for him. Yes, I said it, Colin Powell is a racist.
  
  Report this comment
- ComradeAdam
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 2:15pm
  I’ve always thought that the democrats had dirt on Col. Powell, but race and/or stupidty are alway possibilities.
  
  Report this comment
- Spyderco
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 2:50pm
  How come when people come out with the truth, they feel like they have to retract?
  
  Report this comment
- Linda2955
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 4:26pm
  Never retract the truth
  
  Report this comment
- Wolf
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 4:27pm
  “…former Secretary of State Colin Powell… …the revered political figure heralded the president’s accomplishments, praised his foreign policy and noted other reasons for sticking with Obama…”
  Revered by whom? Oh, right: blacks.
  Sunnunu… just doing as he’s told and being as mealy-mouthed wishy washy as Mitsy baby.
  
  Report this comment
- mollymmmo
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 4:35pm
  Stupid me; I used to admire Powell; now he is either a racist or he has lost his marbles.
  
  Too bad America has come to this, that either endorse the bozo, BO, or be called a racist. At least with Barry, I can despise his white 1/2 also. A regrettable, criminal, soulless POTUS.
  
  Report this comment
- Xyskalla
  Posted on October 27, 2012 at 1:09am
  It makes sense. After all, if the only possible reason to oppose Obama is because he’s black, then the only possible reason to support Obama is because he’s black.
  
  Report this comment
- GETLIFE
  Posted on October 27, 2012 at 6:11am
  Naw! Obama’s just promised him another state dinner.
  No? Well you tell me why he’s sitting at the table with the Indian PM and the POTUS–
  after the 2008 elections:
  
  https://picasaweb.google.com/115367719270610949822/ObamaStateDinners?feat=flashalbum#5803363398737607778
  
  Report this comment
- Mulder1
  Posted on October 27, 2012 at 9:53am
  Of course, Powell supports Obama because he is a brother. Why else would a man who says he is a Republican vote for the most left wing President that the USA has ever had? 95% of blacks voted for Obama mostly because Obama is one of them.
  
  Report this comment
mikenleeds
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:41am
i use to respect Colin Powell for standing strong with the military and country but now he s clearly a sell out to the liberals ,
why would this many vote for obama when obama is trying to destroy everything he believes in ..
clearly pressure from the black community …

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- TruthMonkey
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:52am
  Well lets look at this this way.
  Powell is supporting Obama either because he is black or because he is stupid.
  Do any of you really believe that Powell is actually stupid???
  Theres your answer.
  
  Report this comment
- SocialistSlayer
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:54am
  Why did sununu retract his statement ? If it’s true then state the facts ! I’m so sick of people having to retract their words to appease a few politically correct people. The Truth shall set you Free !
  
  Report this comment
- sWampy
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:57am
  Actually, it’s both, yes he supports Obama because they are black, and yes, he’s an affirmative action black, that got promoted because of race, and fear of being called a racists, not because of brains or ability.
  
  Report this comment
- TruthMonkey
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 9:06am
  @Swampy
  You may be right but I think that Powell knows exactly what he is doing. He may have been promoted in part due to his skin color but I do not thinkh is stupid.
  
  Report this comment
- U.N.hater
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 9:08am
  This is what obama has been doing and why Bill Clinton is helping him. Powell is in on this also as most in government is. http://whatisagenda21.net/This-is-agenda-21.php
  
  Report this comment
- NOFX
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 9:21am
  Good grief…I type out a post with only one profanity that I censored myself and The Blaze takes it down! Come on now! I was just pointing out that if you’re a black minister/politician/citizen and you don’t openly endorse Obama, then expect to get attacked by everyone except white conservatives!
  
  Report this comment
- Mil-Dot
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 9:35am
  @SocialistSlayer
  Real men say what they mean and mean what they say and they never retract anything or apologize for speaking what they see as the truth. I certainly don’t.
  
  Report this comment
- Prosecute_Constitutional_Treason_In_Washington
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 10:14am
  Powell is above color. The reason Powell backed Obummer is Powell is a UN man first. To quote Powell “someday soon everyone (US citizens) will be a citizen of the UN.” Also, rememeber Powell’s son runs the gov. Federal Communications and Trade. Who wants to go against your sons career?
  Few people realize many US top command like generals are liberal. Powell is also a big NATO man.
  NATO is the arm of the UN.
  
  Report this comment
- jettson
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 10:28am
  Hey if he is voting for that jerk then he’s stupid. Sununu is right.
  
  Report this comment
- Tsam
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 10:33am
  I agree. Who can respect Powell now?
  
  I don’t think this is only about Obama though. The Obama’s have given White House and who knows how many DC jobs to blacks I’m sure Powell is thinking about that too.
  
  the Peeps (Michelle has 23 attendees, each paid at roughly $100,000/year – gee, just think if we’d spent that on security in Benghazi! – the brothers…It’s all about color and nothing about substance.
  
  Colin Powell = racist.
  
  Report this comment
- Pizzor2000
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 3:31pm
  I actually do remember hearing a theory after Powell endorsed Obama in 2008 that had nothing to do with race: he got behind the candidate who happened to be the front-runner at the time, in hopes of getting appointed to a cabinet position.
  
  Of course, Obama had a better lead in the polls in ’08 than he does now. Not to mention, Powell didn’t get a position in the first term anyway, so if that WAS his plan, it didn’t work.
  
  Hmm… Maybe there is another reason…
  
  Report this comment
- howdyrl
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 3:40pm
  I used to have respect for him as a military man. However, now I have lost that – does anyone really think Powell would assign a 2nd Lieut. to command an Army division? Taking my argument further, then how can he justify voting for a community organizer to be our Commander-in-Chief? The 2nd Lieut. would probably do a better job in both situations. Obama has less leadership ability than a Boy Scout Patrol leader. His greates asset is his abilitiy to tell the big lie with a straight face.
  
  Report this comment
- swamp_donkey
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 4:57pm
  i think its unfair to say that i think powell truly thinks what most of america thinks , romney is a lying draft dodging coward tax cheat flip flopping cult member that couldnt put two ideas together like most on here
  
  Report this comment
NOFX
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:40am
John Sununu said what everyone was thinking but unfortunately in politics you can’t state the obvious for fear of being labeled a racist. I was thinking the same thing from just reading the headline! I really feel like Obama was put in a position where he could have united Americans of both races closer together but he did the opposite times a hundred.

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- sWampy
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 9:05am
  You will never unite the races by trying to pretend there aren’t differences in the races, and trying to force all races to be treated the same, and act the same.
  
  Report this comment
- TAXEVERYONE
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 9:09am
  He should only retract half of it since Obama is allegedly only half black.
  
  Report this comment
- NOFX
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 9:25am
  ya could be right. maybe the country has been a smothering pile of coals all along that was going to inevitably burst into flame anyways!
  
  Report this comment
oldduffer
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:40am
And I suppose that a Republican is voting for Obama because he’s doing so great for the country.
Horse pucky….It’s because of color and that’s that. You Republicans going to open your mouths then stand by what you say or just keep your pie holes shut. Zip your pants and zip your mouths.

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toiletclogga
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:40am
Colin Powell is afraid of not being recognized in February during Black History Month. He sees the way Condi Rice, and Clarence Thomas are treated, and he’s afraid his legacy is going to be ignored. He’s also a closet Liberal!

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AJAYW
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:39am
I agree he did it account he’s a black racist and a commie also.

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BLACKDIAMONDSKIER
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:37am
If you believe something Don’t be afraid to say it. Good grief, you should not have to retract a belief or an opinion because that is exactly what it is…..a BELIEF or OPINION. If he thinks race has something to do with it……big deal. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t. Who gives a crap what Colin Powell does anyway. What the hell does one man named Colin Powell have to do with the factors affecting your electricity rates, food prices, gas prices, and or employment?

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cal_105
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:35am
Well, I am sure that he gets 90% of the black vote because he has blue eyes??

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auntmoxie.com
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:32am
I am as sick of people retracting what they say when it irritates others as I am of people standing for nothing. Have we just become a country of invertebrates or what?

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- BODYBAG
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 9:28am
  Character & Integrity are becoming extinct as commodities.
  Fear has taken their place. And yes, it is pathetic.
  
  Report this comment
DEMOCRATS.ARE.EVIL
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:31am
Don’t back down, John. It’s the truth. Powell endorsed Obama only because he’s black. To refuse to endorse him now would admit a black man failed…and Powell and the media just can’t have that, right?

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- Dexter Alarius
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 9:14am
  Read the transcript of Powell’s address to the 1996 Republican National Convention titled “Why I’m a Republican”. There is no explanation for his endorsement of Obama in 2008 or now other than that he’s voting his race. Sununu called it like he saw it, then got scared. Grow some backbone! It’s BS that Chrissie Matthews can find racism in using the word “Chicago”, but Conservatives can’t call it out when it’s obvious.
  
  Report this comment
PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:22am
Democrats have been hijacked by the worst radicals human nature has produced. They are delusional self-appointed supremacists. Unskewed polls puts Romney/Ryan 53% and 0 at 46%. Americans are returning to REALVILLE and know that our FREEDOM lies in the Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution. The democratic “party” is “the rankest compound of villainous smell that ever offended the nostril”. People have realized that delusional utopia is just that: delusional.
For a complete list of the faltering or bankrupt green energy companies, 34 in all, see:
http://www.blog.heritage.org/2012/10/18/president-obamas-taxpayer-backed-green-energy-failures.

watch this FREE movie at: http://www.hulu.com/watch/409925 We won’t be fooled again!

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- Gary_K
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:33am
  Check this out…http://theulstermanreport.com/2012/10/24/white-house-insider-the-only-way-obama-wins-this-election-is-to-steal-it/
  
  Report this comment
ellietoo
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:21am
Powell is not a Republican. He is a Democrat registered as a Republican. Does he vote for Obama because he is black? No. He votes for Obama because he is a liberal.

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Nevermind
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:21am
Gonzo

Don’t get your hopes up and you may want to look into an alternate cell phone service provider. Romney will shutting off your Obamaphone in a little over 90 days.
****

Despite what you may hear from your uneducated idols ( beck , Rush and Hannity) not all Obama supporters are on welfare getting handouts. I pay my own cell phone bill as well as all of my bill and the only check i got from the government was when i served in the USAF. For a party that ” supports the troops” you just insulted another war time vet. First Sununu trys to discredit Gen. Powell and now you try to discredit me. It is sad i served this country in a war for idiots like you to have the rights you abuse.

Chicken hawk couch rambos are funny. But then again isnt that i pic of Nugent you have on your profile? Makes sense, another chicken hawk. Talks about guns and the troops but crapped his pants so he didnt have to serve. He is a draft dodging couch rambo so it makes sense

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- Gonzo
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:36am
  Squawk, Squawk, Squawk. He’s going down. You and all your Progressive/Marxist friends are about to get a cold slap of reality in the face. I hope it effing stings,.
  
  Report this comment
- Stelex
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:38am
  I don’t think what he said is abuse, its free speech and if you served ……..thank you. Unfortunately anyone voting for Obama with all the info we have on him now, and its just the tip of the iceberg, then you become a traitor to this country. Its my opinion and again I thank you for helping to preserve the right for me to voice it. Think long and hard before you punch it for Obama.
  
  Report this comment
- mrqstixx
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:50am
  You discredit yourself.
  
  Report this comment
- Oldphoto678
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 9:26am
  He is voting for PRESIDENT Obama because he knows that Rommney and the tea party are a bad for America.
  
  Report this comment
- Gonzo
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 9:42am
  He voted for Bush too Oldphoto. You must think he was bad for the country. Why do you think Powell’s judgement is any better now?
  
  Report this comment
MeteoricLimbo
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:20am
Why is Colin Powell a Republican……

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- Gonzo
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:41am
  He’s not, he just plays one on TV.
  
  Report this comment
- Frederick_Douglass_Republican
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 9:30am
  Since Powell is supporting oblamer again it is clear he is a racist. There is nothing to be gained by tip toeing around this elephant in the living room. Powell and many many blacks in this country are naked racists. Not calling them on it only makes it worse. When muppet face said Americans are racial cowards I took my boxing gloves off for good. A racist is a racist and they must be called on it.
  
  Report this comment
huey6367
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:19am
When I heard this, I speculated it was because of race. How could it be because of his accomplishments or his foreign policy. Unless Powell is really Nancy Pelosi in black face.

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ohioan1000
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:19am
Everyone knows its true.

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ronaldreaganthegreat
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:18am
Powell supports Owsbamamao cause hes 1/2 black and a socialist, just like himself, duh…

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Mandors
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:16am
Could race have anything to do with Colin Powell’s endorsement? Of course. Half the independents who made the mistake and voted for Barry the first time around did so BECAUSE he was the first black candidate. I don’t think the General is immune to similar motivations.

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Gonzo
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:15am
Squawk all you want lefty punks, you know it’s true.

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- gyro
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:23am
  very very sad but true
  
  Report this comment
- Cavallo
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 9:24am
  Does anyone really believe otherwise? No one can say it (unanonymously) because we must adhere to Orwellian newspeak.
  
  Report this comment
Gary_K
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:15am
I hate it when pols say something then wiggle to take it back. If ya say it stand by what you said. own it, take it to the next level if what you said is true, make the opposition wiggle.

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MittensKittens
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:12am
Why else would Powell endorse this misfit of a POS for POTUS…

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Individualism
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:12am
atleast he didn’t change rules to block out the grass roots. now the gop can die as the white supremacist party thanks to people like him.

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- Fubared
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 9:35am
  You of all people should probably not reference grass in a post. Hey bots, here is your zero respect sign, wear it well.
  
  Report this comment
- Poodleguy
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 4:51pm
  @ Individualism: Spoken like a true idiot & evidently a racist to boot!!!! Colon Powell became a general in the US Army by doing a lot of butt-kissing with liberals & was a total political hack & remains as one today. He has proven that he is racist with every flattering gesture he has sent the Obamaliar’s direction!! Every time I heard someone commenting that he would be elected POTUS if he ran & they didn’t care a whit which party banner that he would run under, I would just about come unglued! I have seen through this phoney ever since the first time I heard of him!!!!
  
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MittensKittens
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:11am
I think Sununnu is right. Sometimes it’s hard to hear the truth!

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- HKS
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:27am
  With some people the truth always falls to politics. Any wonder we are in the shape we are?
  
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fuzzy20841
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:09am
I must agree with Sununu on this one! If you examine it there are no intellectual reasons that a conservative Republican like Powell would vote for Obama. It must be race. I think that we are on dangerous footing when folks vote for a persons race rather than their qualifications. Quite frankly I expected better of Powell.

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- poorrichard09
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:20am
  Powell is no conservative, and for a former general to endorse 0bozo after what happened in Libya-what else is it?
  
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Nevermind
Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:00am
So by his own logic it could be asked is Sununu endorsing Romney because he is white? Laughable the GOP hacks but stupid comments like this only make the win for Obama that much easier

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- Gonzo
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:12am
  Don’t get your hopes up and you may want to look into an alternate cell phone service provider. Romney will shutting off your Obamaphone in a little over 90 days.
  
  Report this comment
- Mandors
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:13am
  You really should up your medication. Your typing is slurring,
  
  Report this comment
- lightbearer11
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 8:22am
  So the reason why white people vote for Obama is because they feel guilty?
  
  Report this comment
- Linda2955
  Posted on October 26, 2012 at 4:51pm
  If Obama wins it only because hes black. He sure cant win on his track record
  
  Report this comment

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