#16, #17 & #18 Colin Powell Says It Much Better Than I Can

In a positive, clear and powerful seven minute statement Colin Powell mentions several reasons about which I have already written:

My #12 & # 8--Republican party's accusations that Obama is a Muslim demonstrate narrow, racist thinking that the Party has taken. Christopher Buckley referred to this destructive faction of the party as the "kooks". Powell is calm but firm as he describes how the Republican Party has moved away from him and why he cannot endorse John McCain.

My #7 & #14 Obama has style and substance to be a world leader. Obama has demonstrated intellect and temperament to be President.

He also states three reasons I have not yet addressed in my list.

#16 Sarah Palin is not ready to be president. This is not a liberal attack. This sentiment is shared by conservatives such as Christopher Buckley, Peggy Noonan, George Will, David Frum and Katherine Parker who have also denounced the choice of Palin. Palin's interviews with Charlie Gibson and Katie Couric were frightening. Clearly McCain knows she does not think deeply or clearly about important issues because he does not trust her to handle questions in a press conference. A 72 year old president needs a VP who is ready on day one and McCain did not select one as his running base. He pandered to his base and is probably surprised that many of the most conservative intellectuals have abandoned him due to this choice.

#17 John McCain's continued focus on Bill Ayers is divisive and trivial. It has proven to be a loosing strategy. When McCain brought Ayers up in the debate Obama pointed out that the boards on which they served together were bipartisan, funded by heavy hitters who were Republican! As the inflammatory and misleading "robo" phone calls have continued McCain refuses to denounce them and his numbers keep dropping. As General Powell said, "In trying to connect Senator Obama with a Mr. Ayers John McCain has gone too far" and"Senator McCain is not focusing on what matters to the American people." I think McCain's bank of ideas is so shallow and his ability to lead his party is so weak that he has nothing else to offer except more trivial and divisive rhetoric.

#18 John McCain could very likely make two appointments to the Supreme Court. Given his troubling capitulations to the Republican Party's far right wing we cannot risk who he might appoint to the court.