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[...] Powell recalls ballin' a ‘fantastic figure’ [...]

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[...] CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive ... By CNN's Jeff Simon WASHINGTON (CNN) – Former Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday that he has been the victim of racial profiling, but still believes Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates could have been more patient with the police officer who ... CNN Political Ticker – http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/ [...]

[...] about Rush Limbaugh as of July 28, 2009 Powell calls Palin a 'fascinating figure' – politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com 07/28/2009 FromCNN's Jeff SimonWASHINGTON (CNN) – Former [...]

I find it rather interesting that the tag line here relates to Powell's comments on Palin, yet the body describes his take on Gates blowing his stack unneccessarily. Gee, is CNN really that afraid of Palin to where they have to put up any and every single thing that may be construed as a negative towards her? I mean I know Obama's tanking so bad that he's gonna need all the help he can get when 2012 rolls around (and he'll still lose), but aren't you all going just a tad too far?

Good grief, are we going to continue getting daily updates for this nutcase? What's next?.....what she ate and wore? How about giving equal time to Paris Hilton for a change?

I am fascinated that so many people think so highly of her. These people seem to care about the image not the actual person as a competent political force. I personally am prone to vote for competent people not attractive ones.

Yes, she is facinating. So is the process of making peanut butter. Well that is if you are dullard or something.

Move on, nothing to see hear. CNN just can't let it go.

I can't imagine how Colin Powell can remain credible today.......he was once a brilliant man with a brilliant future until he sold out to the Bush administration and furthered the Iraq lie of WMD's in order to justify an inept administration and an inept war plan. Then, after the once intelligent general he was continued to sell out for the Bush administration, he found himself on the outside being used as a scape-goat. I no longer have any respect for a man who I once admired and will give his blather no more respect than i would give to say....................a sarah palin

Sarah and TCM could have their own show called the "Biggest Political Losers".hahaha

We have affirmative action policies, so that we have today's Colin Powell and Obama. One facinating thing for comparison with Palin is that Palin did not need Affirmative Action to get into Columbia and Harvard, Secretary of State, and Presidency. Palin was elected purely on her merits. Period!

"Please come back! We need you in the Republican Party, not Sarah Palin and certainly not Rush Limbaugh. The party used to be so clear-minded and intelligent; now it is run by hillbillies."

Niles, please don't insult the hillbillies!!!!

Powell is my favorite Republican. I hope he continues to provide a reasoned tone to the otherwise near-psychotic Republican party. They should pay attention, he's pretty much all they've got now...at least the only one that's still getting any press. The media loves their extremists.

Mr. Powell, you have my undying respect and thanks, for your service and for the example you set. You are one of the true examples of the American Success Story. I would really love to see a person like you rise and lead in the political realm.

Sarah who? Vote for me!

CNN can no longer be relied upon for accurate information. It's a shame they've fallen so hard, fast and far. First, they tag the headline using Palin's name so everyone will take a look see. I'm guilty of looking myself, I keep hoping the next story I read about her is that she's decided to move to Australia and live in the bush. Secondly, the 'real' information is wrong, not fact checked, seemingly written by a 6th grader for some journalism class with no editor/teacher checking for errors prior to printing/grading. Here's a fact: HIS NAME IS PROFESSOR HENRY LOUIS GATES
Jeeze Louise~ I quit CNN! Y'all enjoy tearing each other apart in here, hatred is bad for people and other living things.

If I could find a poll somewhere to vote in favor of Palin, I would. Every form of news media which cites that Palin is doing poorly in the polls does not place any link for people to chime in. I think she calls 'em as she sees them. With a tiny bit more compassion, she would make an excellent leader. I think she'll figure it out. Still, it is shocking when David Letterman keeps his job and Sarah Palin exits hers.

Fascinating, O Yeah, Yes they are.....

Buttocks padded pants and padded bras.....

Powell/Daniels in 2012!

A great ticket and a very good Presidential race.

fascinating sort of like a lava lamp: pretty, pointless and most people have no idea what purpose it might serve

Although I am a Democrat, I have the utmost respect for Colin Powell and think that he is correct in his assessment of the the Harvard professor and the policeman. As far as his description of Sarah Palin is concerned he could have use a lot different adjective that myself and the American people have to add in describing her, and fascinating is not one of the descriptions that we would use.

Who pays all there Palin hater trolls?

i have high regards for Powell and i trust his wisdom. he's right about the G O P and republicans or what there is of it. it is such a shame that rush goes to the extremes that he does and the bulls–t that comes out of his mouth. he is a Hitler and his little followers are just as bad. to think the G O P and any republicans will not stand up to him is SO PATHETIC.
as far as Palin is concerned she will continue to "entertain" us as she has gotten "stardom", "greed" and"the limelight" in her eyes. just look at them. do you really think she has the brains to write a book???? yea, didn't think so.

Most on here misunderstand, I think, what Powell was saying about Palin. Saying she is a fascinating figure does not mean he thinks of her in a positive light. It simply means he finds her interesting for whatever reason. I suspect he finds her interesting in the same way I do, for the reaction she provokes from the media and the American public. This is not a good thing or a bad thing. It's simply an observation.

I like and respect Powell. He is truly a man with integrity. I may not always agree with him but at least he tells it like it is.

Palin is fascinating? How can anyone even think that? Her speeches are incoherent ramblings in, fingernails on chalkboard, shrill awfulness. She is a horrendous speech-giver and anyone who pays to have her speak, or pays to hear her speak, is just wasting their money. She is arrogant, narcissistic, and not very intelligent. Alaska must not've had a very good pool of bright people when they elected her as governor. If she ever gets anywhere politically, this country will become a huge disappointment and the dumbing down of America will definitely be in full swing. I don't want anyone like me, or dumber than me, running this country. God forbid!

Nobody cares!!! Palin is a nobody and a loser!

Powell continues to maintain his high level of credebility b/c he continues to speak his mind, even when others don't agree with him. i'll bet that some who continue to want to view prof. gates as a vicitm will not agree with him with respect to his analysis of the situation. those who support palin will not agree with him on his assesment of her readiness.

Palin is an idiot, she's not fascinating, she's an annoying lunatic, and a joke. She has no credibility, no knowledge of world issues, and continues to sink herself and the republican party. Powell is going to sink with that ship too, what a shame.

Yes she is fascinating! I think Jon & Kate are also fascinating! I hope to get to vote for all three of them for public office sometime in the near future!

This is probably the most level headed guy in the public eye. Shame he is still not in goverment – he could continue to be such an asset. Much respect!

As a black man I love Mr. Powell

But this just goes to show you that in order to be a respected black man you must be submissive and wait your turn to get the respect you rightfully deserve from a white man, till whenever the white man gets comfortable enough to give it to you.

As a black male we shouldnt have to wait. We have waiting long enough.

Even a black man in the highest office in the land has to measure the things he says about a police officer who was in the wrong.

Bush never measured a thing and never apologized.

The GOP leaders Limbaugh and Cheney have already given him up as a democrat and we are proud to have him.

Palin is fascinating like a train wreck is fascinating.

Powell only comes out of his hole when there is controversy going on. I was so disappointed in him not supporting McCain, but its obvious why he didn't. I don't respect anything that comes out of this mans mouth anymore. This was a wasted interview but of course CNN adds fuel to the Gates fire by bringing him on.

I would respectfully disagree with General Powell on his point about Mr. Gates. I believe he had every reason to be upset with the treatment he was subjected to. Also, after listening to the 911 tape and the dispathers tape that has been released, it was clearly a case of false arrest on the part of Officer Crowley and clearly an abuse of police power whether it was racial profiling or not.

And Sarah Palin is as "fascinating" as a train wreck!

I hope this man runs for president. Obama shoudl be worried if he does.

Oh no! Say it isn't so Gen. Powell! Didn't this old General retire? And move out of the stoplight and then left the Republican Party for people like Senator McCain to run. I believe General Powell has had his chance to reshape the party and he blew it.

Sincerely,

A Retired SFC from the Army with an MBA in HRM.

Sarah Palin is to Barack Obama as Will Ferrell is to Albert Einstein.

Another bizarre headline by CNN. No where in that video does Mr. Powell mention Sarah Palin.

Palin is fascinating in that she she constantly hits her political head off of the wall......complains about it and the media, then does it again..and again.....now that IS fascinating! Then when it hurts too much...she quit. Also fascinating. Not credible......but fascinating.

She could have her own show,just like Springer.hahaha

I'm sorry but I think the cop should of used a little more common sense. Think about it....who in the world would be breaking into a house wearing what Mr. Gates had on? I mean come on....be for real. The man is wearing khakis and a dress shirt?!?!? How many burglars fit that description!! And the fact he is an old man...not to say there are not any senior citizen burglars...but come on man!!!!!
But the real kicker is that he was on cell phone call about being not able to get in?!?!?!? So I fail to see how he was overacting...the cop did not use good judgment (like most of them don't).

LKM, not the best example. If he had been a white Jewish guy, AIPAC and the ADL would have been kicking down the doors of the Capitol demanding a resolution of Congress to censure the entire police department. If he was a white male gentile, then he would be completely ignored.

Truth is, man, I'm getting sick and tired of everyone making excuses for Gates, especially my fellow African Americans. The man, supposedly a brilliant professor, revealed that he lives up to the very stereotypes that we should be seeking to destroy. His obvious lack of manners and blatant discourtesy, not to mention racism, is appalling. It is that kind of belligerence that gives all of us a bad name and perpetuates the sentiment among whites that they don't want to be anywhere near us. It continues the view that we are vulgar in our language and acts and that we dishonest in the things we do.

The officer was doing his job, but because he was white, Gates lit into him which speaks both of Gates' doing "racial profiling" and being racist.

Gates, get over it bro and start acting like the human being you wantto be accepted as.

Powell is just trying to get his 15 minutes of fame. First he won't admit that he voted for Obama because of race and now he is making excuses for his friend, Gates. Just like Obama did. Yes racism exists but now it is reverse and African Americans are the ones playing the race card over and over again.

Gates may or may not be racist but no one has even raised the question. This was immediately the question asked of the officer and rightfully so but it should have been asked of both. A two way dialogue has not occured here as a result. Half a discussion will never resolve anything in real terms. Bias and racism need to be weeded out wherever they reside.

Powell was being excessively nice to Palin here. Don't read too much into it.

Powell is an intelligent person, but the Bush-Cheney administration put a major taint on him with the WMD speech at the UN. He'll never live that one down.

LKM. If Prof. Gates had been a white Jewish guy, and the cop a black guy, he would not have been arrested. If he had, the officer would be fired and the police department sued to the last penny. There would have been no need for the president to get involved.

Powell is one of the most respected people in the world. As a Dem, I would vote for him in a second. The state of the GOP can be summarized by the fact that Cheney and Rush would rather not have this distinguished, irreplaceable person as a member of their party.

On the Palin thing, I think the reason why so many people don't like her (understatement) is because of her very devisive and damaging rhetoric during presidential campaign. It served absolutely no purpose but to further divide an already split electorate.

People were screaming 'terrorist" and "kill him" at her rallies for God's sake.

I will never be able to repsect anyone that does intentional harm to our country. A true leader would have known this to be wrong, and stood up against those in her campaign that suggested these actions.

I truly belive any person that could still support her after this is as treasonous as she.

Hopefully Powell is just throwing a sop to the GOP by saying anything postive about Palin. He is a very intelligent man and he no doubt is capable of seeing that she is a very unintelligent woman. She has no place anywhere near the White House, or the Hill either, for that matter. Happily most Alaskans would think real hard about trusting her again with an elected position since she ran away from her latest one and left them hanging....and there aren't enough Americans who think highly enough of her to get her into the Oval Office.

What a hypocrite! Powell should be booted from the Republican Party.

He's an opportunist, not a true Republican.

Yes, I am a life-long Democrat!

Some good and intelligent commens from Powell. Of course, the same can not be stated for the liberal haters that responded with their normal hatrid of people without their same beliefs. It is so great, that BO is still provided racial hatrid to keep the black people at the level that can be controled by the democrats. Racism has improved among the non-blacks, but is lagging behind with the black leaders.

I have to wonder about something here. If Prof Gates had been a white Jewish guy accused and arrested of disturbing the peace, and the arresting cop was black, would the president of the United States have gone on the national news complaining about racism in the ranks of black cops? Of course there is no such widespread thing happening in those ranks, and Obama would never make such an accusation, (NO president should) but if he would not do the same in those circumstances he is practicing "reverse racism" and deserves to be called on it.

Palin and Powell would be an unbeatable ticket!

Does anybody know what is common to Palin and Schwarzenegger?

1. They are both from the West.
2. They both represent the Same Party.
3. They both Screwed up their States.
4. They both talk through their Hats.
5. They both have their Brains in their Butts rather than their Heads.

Sarah has demonstrated to the world she is a quitter. She finally decided she's way in over her head. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen... she got out of the kitchen. Finally she did what's right for Alaska. Good bye, good riddence, now go back to Wasilla and stay there.

To GOP=21st century dodo: You had mentioned that if everyone one in the GOP were as diplomatic as Gen. Powell, well what about everyone that has commented on this topic? So far all I have seen is name calling and it is from the liberals. I am a conservative, and was taught to respect others opinions even if you don't agree with them. Maybe the far left should be more tolerant instead of being ignorant!

i am belive that sarah plain will be great than obama by 2012

Wow! Too bad the GOP doesn't have more like Powell. Intelligent, thoughtful and well spoken. I don't see too many GOP comments that fit that discription here!

Here is the voice of reason and wisdom. Check myy emails or comments; Mr powell is absolutely right. Even though profiling exists but this was not one,

I think Gates may have overracted and Powell's right- just because Gates acted out of sorts doesn't mean racial profiling doesn't exist. Gates is hypersensitive for many reasons notwithstanding his state of mind on that morning. In the world he grew up in he's probably had this happen dozens of times. I'm sure he's embarrassed about it now. However, this does not make him a racist. Accusing someone of treating you different because of your race doesn't make you a racist, it makes you petty. Gates acted petty.

Crowley like most other cops used his authority rather than common sense. He arrested him because he could not because he should have.

I would LOVE to see a Colin Powell/Sarah Palin ticket in 2012, and I think they would be unbeatable!

Fascinating? Now that's a diplomat for you.

she's fascinating in the way the short yellow schoolbus is of note as it passes by us.

Hummmmmmmm!!!! wasn't aware there was a state bigger than Alaska, pb

I prefer pretzels to potato chips. I think the government should pay us to live in this country! I don;t want to work anymore! Free food from the white house????

I hope soon, Please, Please, Please!!!!! !-D

we need Palin back, I like to laugh , she is the best thing happend for commedian.

What Colin Powell described as happening to him when he was the National Security Advisor also happened to Condi Rice during the first Bush Presidency. I suppose that that is just a coincedence though (sarcasm intended).

Somebody should do a poll about how many Black and Brown White House staffers have been handed hats and coats by White visitors arriving at the White House. You'd be surprised...or maybe not.

I gave Palin the benefit of the doubt until she gave that horrible speech condemning fruit-fly research as "wasteful." My mom's on a clinical trial for a cancer drug derived directly from fruit fly research.

Rush is a traitor

Palin is definitely fascinating, but in much the same way as the dog who deposits a pile half its own size.

Palin is fascinating allright like Powell said. I have to agree with him on that. She really knows how to make America laugh with her rambling and corny sayings. She must have really missed the boat on alot of issues especially being one minded. I didn't like her polarizing, but I kinda feel sorry for her. She needs to see a psychiatrist because she doesn't know what she is saying most of the time without a teleprompter. Also, It is too early to make judgement on my man Obama because he is trying to get us out of this mess that Bush and the Republicans put us in. Support your American president Obama, not those socialist republicans

If Palin becomes the US President, Guess What?

Wolves in Alaska will be hunted by F-16s and not by Helicopters......

There is no doubt that Powell is a republican if he says that about Palin...also Powell doesn't say one bad thing about the cop so he takes what he said as gospel..How does he know that the cop was being truthful? That is typical for republicans....blame the black guy. Powell should know better than to believe everything the white guy says.

Interesting. Now that Powel has shown he can think on his own right wingers (and those are the ones who MUST answer) find him difficult to understand–saying liberal at best instead of supporting him as they did for many years. Limbaugh instead of Powel–wow a leap and fortunately history will not make that leap.Limbaugh will be a historical figure, but not a favorable one more a cultural abomination.

fascinating figure… you have got to hand to her.
He repeated his assessment that the former Republican vice presidential candidate had not been ready for the Oval Office last fall, but said she was worth watching.

TRANSLATION: WE CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR FROM HER AGAIN. WE NEED SOME MORE LAUGHS. AND I'M SURE SNL CAN USE SOME NEW MATERIAL.

Finally, a black leader that the youths can look up to again. Someone more like MLK instead of the modern day finger pointers. If a bigot stands in your way, walk around him and achieve your goal. Don’t concern yourself with the actions of others. If you choose to point your finger at an idiot and argue with him instead of swallowing your pride and going around him, you will be standing in the same spot in the future instead of moving forward. (no I am not referring to the police officer as a bigot; just bigots in general)

Jim Jones was fascinating.

Oh Sarah Palin is fascinating alright... that is IF you are fascinated by pea gravel!

There are politicians and celebrities who keep their children's private life private. Palin chose to do the opposite – she exploited her children. She complains about the media attention, when that was exactly what she sought from the beginning. However, she only wants the attention to be positive, and when it's negative she complains? Sorry Sarah, the negative attention goes with the territory.

she's about as fascinating as uneducated white trash could be

Baloney. There are a great many Republicans who don't like Limbaugh. As long as the media keeps pimping him as the guru of the Republican party, this nonsense won't go away. I'm sure CNN and the rest of the idiots in the media know that the more they trash him, the more his followers hang on to and defend him. As for me, I don't have much use for any of you...Limbaugh included.

I do not know if anyone mentioned this but there was no "Reagan National Airport" when Reagan was in office. It was called Washington National Airport. It was only changed to Reagan National Airport in the late 90's when the nutcase republicans in congress wanted to do everything possible to capitalize on the name branding.

She's fascinating alright...she reflects the ignorance and stupidity of a lot of Americans out there...

"Colin, we have all been racially profiled and gender profiled, and profiled for religious purposes, etc, etc. This includes even me who was born a southern white male protestant."

Yea, I bet you've really suffered for your skin color.....

As an Alaskan, I must say to all of you Palin supporters – PLEASE invite her to run your state – she has run ours into the ground! Far from "uniting America", she's too busy dividing Alaska, and then quitting her job 'cause she can't take the heat. She's a liar, and a hypocrite, and if you LIVED here, you'd know that!

Good riddance to bad rubbish!

And, please, don't judge Alaska or Alaskans on the ramblings of an idiot like Sarah Palin. We really do have some intelligent people up here!

Colin Powell – The Fake Conservative.

I can not think of one good reason why officer Crowley should lower his standards to meet with obama, gates or any others ther may want to drag in to make it uncomfortable for officer Crowley.

P = Political
A = Actress
L = Living
I = In
N = Numbskullville

The Police never lie. Could someone please explain the discrepancy in the police report? How did the two black men with back packs appear on the report? Is that the stereotype of criminals?

Say if again she doesn't not make sense. After she speaks, everybody is so confused so what do that tell you.

Powell did not take into account that the Professor had just returned from overseas, and had been ill. Jet lag and illness can certainly cause a person to act out. HOW would you feel???

The cop is wrong, he got the info that Gates lived there, he should have said sorry, then left!

Palin's not a disturbing figure. She's a disturbed figure.

Here is the one thing you lovers of General Powell, and haters of President Obama don't understand. As a field commander General Powell is trained to focus on task at hand, he is trained to "get the job done". All of you, including myself, are preoccupied with whom we like or dislike from the other party, or the other side of the political thinking, i.e., I'm a Liberal so I don't like Conservatives, or visa versa.
The reason why we need people like Powell is because we need people who will work on the problems at hand and not on the politics.
In order to do that we would need a public that would be ready to put aside all of the name calling, anger, and plain old meaness I see posted on this blog every day. Are you ready to do that? I don't think so.

Most train wrecks are just that – fascinating!!!
Liberal are not scare of this woman becasue she is a train wreck. Please can any one on her commenting tell me if Sara Palin can have a normal conversation this our foreign leaders that would make any sense. She talks like she is still in High School and it just would do taking with our foreign leaders. A wink just wont' do it with Foreign leaders. The are very educated and Sara Palin do not have a very good understand of our Constitution which make her a very weak.

Fascinating....hmmm....interesting choice of words....as in watching a train wreck in slow motion fascinating???????

Yes, Palin makes it painfully obvious that all the ignorant people aren't in the Democratic Party...

It's funny that not a single news outlet has discussed the possibility that Mr. Gates may harbor racial hatred/bias as well. Any useful discussion involves two way dialogue. I don't see any of that occuring here. Racism is wrong, regardless of the source. Also, who cares what Powell thinks about Palin or Limbaugh...he's a liberal after all.

All of you who are always spouting off about how Palin can't speak and doesn't make sense need to listen up. I believe that deep down you know that she makes sense, you just don't like what she has to say. Her morals, love of country, and conservative views scare you to death. Keep on criticizing her if it makes you feel better, but I agree with Powell. She is worth watching and will be a force to be reckoned with in the future of politics.

Colin, we have all been racially profiled and gender profiled, and profiled for religious purposes, etc, etc. This includes even me who was born a southern white male protestant.

Colin Powell must find the comedy of Jerry Lewis fascinating as well.

Thanks for helping us get quagmired in Iraq, Colin. Thanks for the whitewash investigation of the My Lai incident when you were a young officer in the army.

what powell meant to say was, 'she has a fascinating figure', intriguing, to be exact.

Sarah Palin is the best hope against the Pelosi/Obama agenda that is tearing apart America!

"It is interesting to watch the media, celebrities, morning shows and nighttime shows all gang up on Sarah Palin. All I want to know is what has she done to have folks so upset? What?????!!!!???"

She is a strong moral, ethical woman who has a ton of integrity, in other words the opposite of a Democrat. She stands for everything that has made this nation great. She is fair, and objective, a true believer in all freedoms and rights given to us by our founding fathers for all Americans. She is the anti-lib.

Those who have read/watched the lib hate directed at Palin cannot plead ignorance as their excuse for supporting Democrats. You know what the Democratic party really stands for and to support it is to prove that only evil consumes you.

Colin should call her what she is – a lousy quitter.

I really do hope the RNC nominates Palin, that will be the last straw to break the vestiges of this lost group of right-wing-nuts, Palin runs and Obama will get 75% of the popular vote, that's all the Democrats and about 50% of the Republicans, assuming her numbers go up with Republican voters.

I can't wait fir the next cycle, there won't be enough crying towels to go around...for the Republicans.

Gates should apologize to the officer. The officer was only doing his job. There was no evidence if racial profiling.

The repugs would bash Powell in a heartbeat. They prefer Rush limbaugh who claim himself to be patriotic but deferred the draft because of a friggin' hemorrhoid. Powell who served his county all his adult life is nothing to the repugs. They would support a draft dodging, coward, blabber mouth than a true american patriot. These repugs are a joke

It really isn't important what you hatefull Libs think of Sarah Palin. You wouldn't vote for her anyway so you don't count not one bit. Your just scared out of your skin, otherwise why read and comment about every word written about her. You give your own insecurities away. You want to talk about somebody dumb, look at you own Vice President. He makes a gaff a minute and yet you say nothing. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

Well I guess I like you again Colin Powell – since you are being nice to Gov. Palin!!!

It is truly fascinating and scary that such a large number of commentors here think that the Sarah Palin they know, as introducted by the media, is so much worse than the Sarah Palin that Colin Powell knows. Did any of you ever consider that Colin Powell may have actually met and talked with the woman. His opinion may be much better informed than any of you can possibly imagine.

All of you that seem so smart and informed in your opinions about Palin and Powell really come off as a bunch or stupid, liberal haters.

The only negative comment I would have for Gen Powell is that the audio of the officers talking with Prof. Gates don't really tell if he was irritated or not. You have only the arrest report and that doesn't show any crime. Yelling as long as there are no threats is not a crime. Would it have been better if he hadn't gotten mad in terms of not getting the officer's backside up – yes – but that doesn't mean the officer had the basis for an arrest.

The officer could have walked away and lamented with his buddies about the mean man that lived at that address and left it at that also. He had choices also. So why isn't he blamed for losing his cool? And he had no basis to do anything else but leave. That's why the charges had to be ultimately dropped because no crime had taken place. Yelling isn't a crime. Gates could sue for false arrest if he wanted to and likely win. He's showing restraint in my view by agreeing to meet with the officer. Not many people who were falsely arrested would.

Powell, you will not make it up to Rebulicans for voting for Obama by calling Palin fascinating. Nice try, but it won't work. Also, you didn't mention that the Sgt might have been having a bad day as well. Most officers wouldn't have drug a man out of his own home under those circumstances. Nothing wrong with a healthy debate, but please be fair.

Americans have short memory. This Veneral Powell led America to the stupid war against Iraq and no one is saying anything about it. He stood their with those stupid graphs and led young men and women into war–why he was securing lucrative job for him dumb son,

As for Sarah Palin, if you don't like her why do you keep featuring her. Ratings? That lady is a star, visionary–and our next president. Someone bigger than us is watching!!

For the person who thinks that the public likes Palin, look at the percentage of people who are critical of her intellect and ability as a leader compared to those who thinks she's qualified to become an elected official. She would only be effective as a talk show host or a personality. She does not know enough to govern a state bigger than Alaska. Her speeches are so gibberish and nonsensical that most people don't have a clue of what she is saying...including Ms. Palin! What really scares the dickens out of most people (based on their comments) is that 1) she has no idea she is stupid and 2) the people who thinks she is awesome tells you a little about how crazy we have become. Be honest with yourselves...now do you really think that Sarah Palin makes sense? Sense enough to lead someone?

Sorry to disappoint a bunch of folks here, but Powell is not the voice of the Republican Party. The base has had enough of this turncoat. His vote for Obama in 2008 spelled the end of his Republican ties.

Third party candiate? Maybe, but certainly not a part of the Republican ticket.

Train wrecks are fascinating, as are car wrecks. Witness all the traffic backups as 'gapers block' takes hold when there are car wrecks on the highway.

But I don't want any of those drivers to be my President!

Ha Ha Ha......

Palin is a 'fascinating figure'..... Ha Ha Ha......

The first day she was introduced by McCain as his V.P. Pick......

Palin walked on stage with all her Baggage and Paraphernalia.....

Ha Ha Ha..... Palin Walked on Stage with her Kids, Like a Duck followed by Ducklings......

Palin herself exposed her kids and privacy to media and now blames the media...... Ha Ha Ha Ha

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha

What a Mockery...... Ha Ha Ha Ha.......

What a Joke...... Ha Ha Ha Ha.....

POWELL HAS ZERO CREDIBILITY–after prostituting himself at the U.N. by parrotting Bush propaganda in the runup to the Iraq war, Colin Powell should be apoligizing to the families of the 4,000+ soldiers who died in an unnecessary war.

The officers, who are held to a higher standard by the nature of their job, should also have used more restraint and better judgement. First of all, disturbing the peace of an officer while inside of one's own home is ridiculous. Take note that there were no other charges and the D.A.'s office didn't file. Secondly, not only was Gates in his own home, but he also showed the officers identification. Thirdly, there was no reason to instruct Gates to exit his residence. The disturbance charge was a misdemeanor. The officers could have cited and released Gates on the spot. The officers made an attitude arrest, plain and simple. Secondly, there was no reason to physically take Gates into custody.

Exactly! Prof. Gates was tired and Officer Crowley felt challenged. End of story. One haunting question; Why the discrepancy in the police report??!!

As much as many may have not liked Jimmy Carter's presidency - as being weak, etc., peace has survived between Egypt and Israel for quite a few years. Mr. Carter really had lots to do with that. Give him credit.

Palin is definitely fascinating..... by being just a normal, regular person, she has threatened all that the left wing radicals hold dear. They are scared of her and have gone out of their way to crucifying a perfectly decent person. By doing so, they have shown their true colors... the Party of Hate.

Palin was fascinating? ....so was Hitler. And we all know how that ended.

No No No ! You are wrong Powell. No middle to older aged, cane using, white male, in his own home, would have ever been treated in this manner, even if he DID smart off to the Cops. What ? It is illegal in America to smart off to cops ? This is an arrest "crime". The Cops, empowered by what followed the 09/11 attacks, such as the "Patriot" act, multiple TV cops shows in which police are depicted shoving around normal American citizens at will, Judicial support of various violations of basic American rights, never ending Republican drum beats that "they" are out to get "us" and only the Cops can protect "us", and that same Party's blind support of the Cops, no matter what they do, have taken on a "we can't do anything wrong attitude", and many a walking zombie American has approved. Jesus God Almighty, what has happened to my Country ?

The "CNN Palin Ticker" ladies and gents.....

General Powell is right, Pr Gates could have more patient with a police office who clearly showed abuse of power. You just don't arrest someone who could be your dad without making sure he is not a felon. Yes it was a race issue, but most of it was an abuse of power. You don't arrest someone just because he says something about your mama. The policeman completely lacked common sense and good judgement. It was really stupid of him to act that way.

"I like Powell, but how can we trust the republican party when it wont stand up to the nutcases in its ranks. By nutcases I am talking about Limbaugh, the Birthers and the rest of the nuts that spout hateful rhetoric."

Ha ha, yeah, the comments from ever Democrat on Palin is not hateful rhetoric but Limbaugh speaking the truth and just being factual is, oh just so this gets posted, cnn will not post this, LOL-LIBS!

General Powell is the best. The true "Base" of the New Republican Party is not the hard right crowd, but the fiscally conservative, socially center-right audience – who, I believe, Nixon coined the term The Silent Majoirty

Fascinating, for sure! And entertaining.

He is a gentleman.
Jack, who cares about Palin?

Palin being "fascinating" should not be taken out of context – "Great" didn't mean "good" when Min. Farakkhan made his comment so do not take Powell's comment to mean "good."

For all of the reasons Powell mentioned above are the very reasons having an 'attitude' shouldn't equal arrest.

Abuse of power by the police – no question

Speaking of Michael Vick..... The thought of allowing him back into the NFL and the NFL allowing and supporting the reinstatement (with qualifiers?) MAKES MY SKIN CRAWL. To the youth of the world – be not responsible for your actions...because if you can dribble-run-pass-hit-field-catch or WHATEVER....as long as there's money to be made you'll have a job.

Well, I was looking forward to this interview, but I won't be watching. Thanks CNN for the preview. Last fall, Mr. Powell stated that Palin was divisive, and now he calls her a "fascinating figure." So we all should forget, the Clan Rallies ginned up by Sarah.

Mr. Powell, I respected you because you were the only level headed republican, but now this back peddling is really bothersome. I assume you met with Michael Steele so the repubican party will gain minority votes. Good luck with that.

this matter should of not made nation headlines.local law enforcement and goverment should had the only say in the matter.
now with the press help it a world wide problem. both side were wrong.the police for over reaction and mr gates for doing the same.
two wrong do not make a right. stop using the big R for every thing . black people and white people have all ben profiled at times. the more we make of this the wrose it will be come. some black people blame all white for 400 years of history of slavery. they think we as white people should pay them for the way they were treated. when in fact there owner people were the one who sold them out.

I am a Democrat that has voted both Dem. and Rep. in Presidential races and I would have voted for Gen. Powell in a heartbeat. He is a level headed man with great values.

Palin makes Democrats show who they really are. You just have to read the lib reactions to her to see that there is no one in America outside of the ignorant who vote Democrat who have a good heart and are decent, honest people.

Powell's a mainstream guy with brains. Thank God the Repukes are to stupid, and racist to use him. If they ever did we Libs might be in trouble.

Colin Powell is reasonable, smart, thoughtful and he doesn't demonize those who he disagrees with. In other words, he is everything the Republican party seems to be flailing wildly to distance themselves from. When the "acceptable" voices of your party are certified nutbags like Coulter, Limbaugh, Cheney and Palin, you are no longer a political party – you're a zoo!

Most train wrecks are just that – fascinating!!!

Both parties need level-headed thinkers like General Powell. I vote dem, but I respect him and listen closely to his opinions because I know they're based on principle, not politics.

I believe he means that Gov. Palin is fascinating in the sense that we continue to watch her no matter how we feel about her. Everyone responding to this post went to a headline with her name in it. That's what he's talking about.

I notice many comments here about Sarah Palin not being "very bright". Have any of you listened to ANYTHING that Joe Biden has been saying for the last 6 months? Palin absolutley scares the libs. otherwise they would just ignore her.

I love the random comments from republicans about how Palin was railroaded by the press or that Powell should be in the white house. How does it feel to be marginalized? We are going to enjoy ramming legislation down your throats for the next eight years! If you don't like it seceed from the nation you fascists!

Dem are scared of Sarah Palin the way you attack her every minute. You have no problem with a nonnatural born Kenyan in the white house (NO BIRTH CERTIFICATE NOT MY PRESIDENT!!!!!!) but you go nuts over a brilliant woman with strong views. We need one of our own kind in the White house! SARAH PALIN! 2010 if HUSSEIN USURPER can be THROWN OUT or 2012 FOR SURE!!

Gates JR., King JR, Jessie Jackson JR. Ever wonder why so many blacks feel the need to pointedly express that they are a JUNIOR. Because in the black community its sign of royalty to let others know that you actually know who your daddy is. And for Martin King the third well, He is definitely the top of royalty in the black community because not only does he know who his daddy is but he also knows his grand daddy.

RUSH LIMBUG HAS A BIG MICROPHONE, that's why the party of no is scared of him!!

Colin Powell does not have to put up with his non-sense, as Rachel Maddow pointed out, who built this country!!!!

yeah, all he see is a PYT, it is caqlled John McCain syndrome

I admire Colin Powell, although with his education and smarts, am somewhat surprised that he thinks Palin is fascinating. What? Fascinating that someone so stupid and ignorant could gain such a cult following, when their are bright and articulate leaders like Powell and Romney. As for Limbaugh, it is scary to me that so many republicans listen to a talk radio show host who attended college for one semester. Basically, right wingers have been duped into believing that the uneducated and those who don't know anything about history or economics, since they haven't studied those subjects, have the right answer. No wonder bush and his cronies left this country on the verge of collapse.

This is a man who has his head on his shoulders correctly, and he'd make an amazing president. Unfortunately for us, he's way too smart to even consider running.

yea, just like watching a train wreck is fascinating.....

Powell would not run against Obama – you all know that.

The black people of America have got to understand one thing – although Obama is OUR POTUS, that does not give the black people a right to lord it over everybody else – this is what I've been seeing...the black people (whom I completely respect) are trying to act toward white people, the way they were treated in Jim Crowe era....why can't we all just get along.. The first time you look sideways at a black person they cry "Racist!" I've experienced this first hand a few times recently.

Mr. Powell:

You are in the wrong party. Your thoughts and view sound rational. Your argument on an issue are prudent and not based upon the Republican party ideology. Republican party is all about irrationality and non-sense.

Democratic party is the right party for rational people like you.

Republican party is Defunct and Bunch of Duds.

Sotomayor is going to be the new Supreme Court Judge and the Republicans are disgruntled and desperate about it.

Well, I would just want to tell the Republicans, that their days are over. They are all done, over, finished. Now onwards in America it will happen the way we Democrats want it to happen. Gone are the days for the GOP idiocy, dominance and dictatorship.

If the GOP does not like it, they can have their passports and leave. Bye Bye.

Well, as usual, Gen. Powell shows that he is among the VERY few "reality-based" Republicans. He calls it as it is, not as it would be in some right-wing fantasy world, which is where most Republicans live.

I would add that Palin is indeed fascinating - in the same way an infestation of rats is fascinating. Revolting but strangely ... fascinating.

Love her or hate her liberals... doesn't matter, because the writing is on the wall and Obama will beget Palin.

Barack Obama may be a genuinely good man and an all-around nice guy. But his policies are destined to fail. These things have all been tried before. If you doubt me, research "Jimmy Carter."

Obama's policies and their pending devastating economic effects will ensure he goes down in history as an even bigger economic-illiterate and all-around presidential failure than Jimmy Carter. His presidency will lower the bar so far, and tarnish the Democrat brand so badly, he will essentially pave the path for the equally-unqualified Palin as president.

About Mr. Gates, Mr. Powell is correct. As always Mr./General Powell is the gentlemen. Mrs. Palin isn't fascinating at all.

Just being foolish enough to get into the news don't make you fascinating. Billy Bob and Jim Carter, Sarah Palin and John McCain.

What is fascinating to me is. How does a whole experinced camp of republican political machine come up with her??? This has got to go down in history as one of the worst political screw ups of all times!

20 years from now people will still be laughting........4col

Palin-Powell 2012! This would be a winning team. Of course, they would have their work cut out for them undoing the bloated empire of a government Obama-Biden built up and probably a 15% unemployment rate once the Stimulus kicks in, but these are both level-headed practical people.

I have always respected Colin Powell's opinions in the past but he has gotten this one wrong. I am disappointed and surprised that he even commented on this woman.

Sarah Palin is a wonderful gift to comedians. So..we we'll always love to have her around. And what more would Democrats want from the Republican party than a polarizing figure like Limbour, who is the reason for their party unpopularity.

It is too bad Powell didn't show this much integrity when he helped Bush lead us into a disastrous war based on lies.

I remember attending a party in the sixties. A female friend told us this riddle.

"A father and his child were in an automobile accident. The father was killed and the child was seriously injured. The child was brought to the emergency room where a physician was waiting to perform life-saving surgery. The surgeon looked at the patient and said, 'I can't operate on this boy. He's my son!'"

The question was: how is this possible? For an hour, we all made suggestions. The man who was killed was the stepfather and the surgeon was the biological father. The man who was killed was a priest, not really the "father" of the child; the surgeon was the real father. Etc. Etc.

No one, including me – back then – suggested that the surgeon was the child's MOTHER. That is profiling.

When my friend said, "The surgeon is the child's mother," all of the men in the room said, "That's stupid."

The only good puppies that Rose pushed out got shot. And Jack cut taxes and tried to stand up to communism. Sounds like the first coming of Reagan.

The Republican Party would gain a lot more credibility if they had more people like Mr. Powell. Instead they are mired down with cartoon characters like Limbaugh, Coulter, and the rest. As long as you have a hypocritical drug addicted blowhard as the driving force behind your party, the party will attract only the fringe.

Difficult not to admire Gen Powell, for both wisdom and fortitude. He may well be the only respectable voice left in the GOP, which may explain why they keep trying to force him out.

As for Limbaugh and his supporters... nothing really to say, other than that they are a danger to society. Fortunately, they are few.

I am a Dem that loves Powell and would have loved to see him run for office, He at least uses his head more than a hat rack, and when he sees wrong admits it ....not so with other Repubs in the limelight, and they end up looking like bigots . How anyone can listen to Rush and thoes of his class is beyond me . They preach they have all the morals values but in so doing are very much the people with the beam in their own eye but only see the speck in others... They need a real attitide adjustment and some like Powell realize this. I will watch him on LKL.

The media is so scared of ex-governor Palin that they keep on
lying to the public about her to make her look bad; however, the
media should go back to school & learn the correct method of
announcements which is "fact not fiction"!! Also, Davis Letterman
is a disgrace..Just imagine if what he said about Governor Palin's
daughters was directed to Obama's daughters...he probably would
no longer be on TV. Media wake up because the public likes
Sarah Palin, and, she is not going away!

Powell is the man who should be in the white house.

Fascinating isn't exactly a compliment... Watching a monkey drive a car off a cliff is "fascinating" too, but that doesn't mean I want to see that.

How can Powell be so rational on Gates and so irrational on Palin. There is nothing fascinating about that woman that would warrant any attention outside our reality TV society that we live in. She is a sign of our time where substance is irrelevent to becoming a star. Back when what you thought and what you said meant something she would be someone who would not have gotten past first base.

How is a winning strategy nominating a guy that you don't agree with 40% of the time. We tried that with McCain and lost to O'Bummer. We need to revive Reagan, cure his Alzhimer's with adult stem cells and change the constitution to allow for more then 2 terms.

Short of that bring on Newt!!

Colin Powell oozes leadership and statesmanship. I've got a lot of respect for what he has to say.

Colin Powell certainly comes off as a thinking, informed and ethical person, but I can only credit those first two qualities. He has demonstrated his lack of ethics on numerous occasions.

We now know that he knew the 'facts' in his WMD speach at the UN were questionable at best, yet he still gave it. – just like he was ordered to do. He was also the initial chief investigator for the My Lai 4 massacre. His report stated that nothing illegal happened, just like he was ordered to report.

There is a pattern here.

She has a fascinating figure, alright.

Best thing to happen to the Democratic Party since Rose started pushing out puppies.

Palin-Bachmann 2012

When did it become a law that we have to stroke police officers' egos at every possible opportunity?!?!

Thanks for the great UN presentation Colin, what a "fine American"! Why do you insist on given all these Bush administration war criminals a forum CNN??

I'm amazed that a man who is as intelligent as Mr. Powell cannot see through Sarah Palin and see her for what she truly is. There's nothing fascinating about being stupid, bigoted, and uninformed.

Powell is strong, fiscally conservative, open, thinking, willing to speak his mind, and a national presence. He should be the voice of the Republican Party.

It's disgusting how Rush's voice seems to cause party leaders to quake in their shoes. He panders to the lowest denominator and unfortunately that's true of most of the Republican leadership at this point. Makes me have second thoughts about my decision many years ago to be a member of that party.

Sarah Palin is a fascinating figure; in a very sad way.

She is fascinating in the way that she represents and encourages the racial and religious bigotry that her 'Christian Conservative' supporters still hold dear in 2009.

She is fascinating in the way that how the rest of the educated world sees the Right Christian Conservative movement in the United States remains spot on.

Clearly more deserving of the White House than the current occupant.

Once, there were many moderate Republicans like Gen. Powell. I would be one, too. However the Republican Party has been taken over by intolerant, bible thumping, "conservative" wackos. Moderates are stranded with fools on the left and idiots on the right.

Would have been a GREAT President!

Obama is a corrupt president who couldn't fix his own state of Illinois Palin can't be worse than him

Isn't it funny how CNN used the the tiny Palin quote as the lead to a story about Gates.

CNN has become the worst of the tabloid news morons.

Yes, I know you won't print this.

You are quite right Colin Powell, Palin will start a new life in a wonderful world of speaking. By quitting her job, she has cut off the major qualification of being a reliable and respectful politician!

I agree with Melissa and seg and others ... Colin Powell would make a fine president.

Notwithstanding the racism he has been exposed to throughout his life, he rose above it all to become National Security Advisor, chairman of the Joint Chief of Saff and Secretary of State. He has earned the respect of Americans and citizens of every country.

Unlike the younger and racially polarized Obama, Powell I believe has achieved a level of racial maturity ... where he could be president for all Americans. He has my vote ... any day!

i have alot of respect for Mr. Powell. Always has the courage to speak his mind whether his opinion is popular or not. To bad that base would never endorse a black candidate for the republican party. Many have regrets in using Michael Steele's face to counter President Obama.

I agree Dr. Gates could have handled the situation differently. However, Sgt. Crowley could have also handled the situation differently. He is trained in how to handle irate citizens and it is clear Dr. Gates did not represent a deadly threat. the other officers could have stepped in to serve as cooler heads instead of becoming talking puppets.

In the end, this is a situation were the mix of egos, race and class become combustible. Both parties share the blame.

Colin Powell is a class act all the way. Wish he would run for the President.

Sarah Palin is a dummy. And quitting as Alaska's governor, did not help her chances of staying on the national scene.

As for Rush Limbaugh, he needs to have his mouth washed out with soap. He is a loud mouth fat slob.

Palin is indeed highly fascinating and a breath of fresh air compared with all of the corrupt, racist and socialist Democrats trying to destroy our country. That is why they fear her and are trying to discredit her at every opportunity.

The loons have every reason to be intimidated by her – she is really connecting across the US.

Finally! Someone with some common sense! It's good to have the sensible Powell back! The Gates arrest is a perfect example of too many people in society no longer taking responsibility for their actions. They yell at a cop, cause a disturbance and it's someone else's fault.

General, I agree with you on alot of things, but Sarah Palin an interesting figure? How about a disturbing figure.

I agree with General Powell. However the 911 transcript of the incident between Crowley and Gates indicates that the report filed by Crowley is inaccurate. In other words it was a false arrest.

Oh, please! Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party of today are irrelevant. The Republican Party of 1860 was LIBERAL and not Conservative. Remember Radical Republicans? The Conservative parties were the Whigs and the Democrats and the splinter in those two parties allowed the Republican Party to take on a more prominent role in national politics. The Republican Party began to change during Reconstruction because they realized the albatross they took on with "reconstructing" the South and the massive failure of the first big social welfare experiment known as the Freedman's Bureau. Read your history. Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party of yesteryear DOES NOT equal the Republican Party of today. Today Lincoln would have been a just left of center Democrat.

Powell is a divisive and polarizing figure in the Republican party and the wider onservative movement. Who can not believe that John McCain was the much vaunted 'moderate' GOP candidate, who in the view of the Powells, Frums and Brooks has the best chance in 2008. Rush Limbaugh railed against McCain? Yet it was Powell who stabbed McCain in the back, not Limbaugh. Piling on Governor Palin only showed his deep ignorance and hypocricy. If he had done his homework he would have known that Governor Paiin was a reformer, was elected Governor of Alaska with massive support from independents, and had governed pragmatically from the centre, with broad cross-party support. She had also, in spite of preceptions been striclly constitutional on issues such as Gay rights, and was moderate on issues such as climate and renewable energy. But Powell did not do his homework. Instead he betrayed the party that hasd advance his career. I am pretty sure that Governor Sarah does not appreciate his condesension, but being a very gracious lady can probably forgive it.

The bulk of this article is Powell talking about Gates, but leave it to CNN is twist the headline to make it about Powell's thoughts on Sarah Palin.

Fascinating??
Colin's gone soft in the 'ead!
(No 'ard feelings generalissimo!)

Good catch, Isaac. I too have great respect for Powell. He seems to be one of the most honest pols in D.C. And I'm very liberal, so my sentiments are certainly not party-based. If the GOP was more Powell-like it would not scare me. A 2-party system is vital for balanced legislation and rulings, but the GOP has become a party of hate and racism more than ever.

Colin Powell is the ONLY Republican I know of that I would vote for for POTUS in a heartbeat. ...that's probably because he's the only one I know of with a level head on his shoulders and the willingness to work for the PEOPLE, not for the PARTY.

Active Duty how did Prof Gates blow this up – he did not bring the TV camera's or MSN. It could have been settled if Crowley walked away and reported it correctly!!!!

Colin Powell would have made a great President. Wish we had him instead of the dufus we are stuck with!

Palin is fascinating, in a way. So is (or was) Ozzy Osbourne, Marilyn Manson, Britney Spears, Anna Nicole Smith, Michael Jackson, and Gary Busey. And none of them belong in positions of governmental power, either.

Trainwrecks ARE fascinating.

I have always liked C. Powell and thought he may at one time have become the 1st Af-Amer President. I lost so much respect for him when he addressed United Nations and World with LIES that led to Bush's 2 Wars.

I would have loved to see gen. Powell run for office , and that is coming from a fifty year old white guy. Have to say that voting for Obama really didn't sit well with me even though I would agree McCain was really to old. Palin on the other hand I totally connect with , she has common sense vs a group of pompus lawyers at the helm now.

I find train wrecks facinating!

Altho I am not a republican, I would vote for Colin Powell in a New York City minute. He has integrity and honesty. I wish he would run for President.

I think Powell called her fascinating because he forgot the term " stupid bimbo."

Indeed Gates should have checked his temper Mr. Powell. No argument there. So was the cop justified in handcuffing the gentleman and trucking him to the station for mug shots? Why no comment on this Mr. Powell?

General Powell is a great man, wish he would run for President in 2012.

Gates was impolite. The officer (he was actually a sargeant) abused his authority. Let's not put the two on the same level.

So is a corpse in a train wreck......

Uh-oh, he took on El-rushbo again. Mr. 'Ego on loan from Narcissus"
won't be able to let this pass.

The only thing I want to hand Sarah Palin is a ticket out of town.

Who cares what this closet Democrat has to say

Powell almost always makes rational, considered comments that contribute to the debate and are not inflamatory. Nor does he duck tough issues. I suppose we will have to wait for history to tell us why he has not run for President.

Another day, another Palin headline. Except only a small portion of the article concerned Palin. Why is this? Can't we PLEASE stop posting articles about her? There are so many, many more interesting people and things to discuss.

She's fascinating alright. So was Michael Jackson, and Zsa Zsa Gabor and...

yeah, fascinating like planaria...but I wouldn't put one of those in office either...

General Powell would have been a good choice to run for President when the Republicans were a viable party.

Instead they focus on the Snow Bimbo.

Let me see....Colin Powell...Sarah Palin...........gosh what would the right wing do ????
Pick the best candidate ?? Or vote for the one Rush Slimeball tells them to vote for ???

If you want to get an idea of who the Democrats are interested in as possible opponents for office, just watch who they criticize. It is interesting to watch the media, celebrities, morning shows and nighttime shows all gang up on Sarah Palin. All I want to know is what has she done to have folks so upset? What?????!!!!???

MY , how I wish that man would run for the White House.

Great man! i must say. the winning strategy the Replicans need is right infront of them. but ther bigot ways blind them

Michael Jackson was 'fascinating too". Wouldn't have wanted him for VP either.

Yeah, facinating – yes!!! BTW how much of the stimulus money is spent? About 30B? Oh, I thought all 780B has been spent already. Do some of you think the same way? Also, I heard that some of the bail out money has been returned with interest. Do you guys hear the same news? Oh, the DOW crossed 9K to the positive end, do you guys see what I am seeing? I remember when we all were begging for a respite and a leader to get us out of our pit. From the discourse on this blog, some of us have forgotten the bad times and now time to discredit the PRESIDENT – remember, he put smiles on your faces.

"Fascinating" is an interesting choice of word for Colin Powell to use to describe Palin. I too find it fascinating how many she "inspires" with her rhetoric. Much respect for Colin Powell but no respect for his party.

Sarah and company are a hypocritical, opportunistic freak show.

He has never been a Republican and never will be. The demacrat party can have him.

I wish he would run. He is 10x better then anything we have seen in the last 20 years.

Americans are self centered. They only think of me myself and I.

Its comments like these on the Gates affair that make Colin Powell a class act. He has confidence and assurance in his credentials and accomplishments, not arrogance and pretention. And considering what he has accomplished, he could easily justify a bit of the latter, but doesn't. That kind of dignity is rare and refreshing.

I haven't seen the interview, but I suspect "fascinating" was about the nicest thing he could say about Palin while implying he doesn't have much respect for her. If so, I think THAT'S being too kind!

He has pegged Gates correctly – Gates flew off the handle for no good reason in THIS instance. I'm still waiting for Gates' apology...

Palin is fascinating in that she can't string together complete sentences. Her farewell speach was so disjointed, it's no wonder the stupid segment of society supports her, she speaks their language.

Did anyone hear the 911 call? This lady did not say the things that Sgt. Crowley wrote in his report. He is a liar and blew this up. He knew who lived in the house and called for more police cars. Dr. Gates had every right to be upset. I deal with racial profiling as a professional African American woman all of the time. I will not tolerate that behavior in my home from anyone at anytime. Home is where I get away from the world.

Fascinating? I have alot of other selective words I could call this airhead of a human being! Palin is a frekkin joke! I wouldn't trust her running my household let alone this country! she's as sharp as a plastic knife!

Common sense always prevail. Gates is not great man. Gen. Powell is.

I am just about over using CNN as a source of news. So, he says, after a long litany on a much more important topic, one small comment about Palin. And, she is fascinating, in the same way that reality shows and train wrecks are. You want to but you can't look away. She is the lowest common denominator. And this is your headline. Instead of focusing on a topic that it is time to address, race! Here you are talking to a brilliant American who happens to be black and he is speaking on a very important issue and you gloss right over it. So, the headline is entirely misleading. Why don't you all take a look at Walter Cronkite's old tapes and realize you have a responsiblity to society. We already have FOX news. Can you please be the adults in our discourse? Thanks.

Like, apparently, all neo-cons, Rush Limbaugh is a superstitious, authoritarian, paranoiac. I'll reconsider the Republican Party when it sends the neo-cons packing and goes back to the small-government, fiscally responsible, party it used to be.

Palin is going to make big bucks writing about McCain and his group of jokers.

I am a Democrat, but I agree that Powell is a great man. Even Cheney and Limbaugh cannot tarnish his image. It must cause them great chagrin to be so out-classed.

Maybe by hearing this comment from this least-threatening of black men, Colin Powell, some white people will realize that African Americans are not profiled because of any behavior that they exhibit but rather because of prejudices that others hold.

I can't imagine that most white parents felt the need to raise their sons on this "lesson".

"When you're faced with an officer who is trying to do his job and get to the bottom of something this is not the time to get in an argument with him."

Professor Gates' mistake was that he thought that he had "arrived" to the point where he could act like a white man with the police. The teachable momement is that he, nor any other black man, has reached that status.

I'm just not sure who we want to learn and act on the lesson ... the black men .... or the police.

I think Powell hit this one right on when speaking about Gates. I am not a police fan, but think that Crowley was just doing his job to make sure that Mr. Gates house was indeed secure. Professor Gates over reacted. That would not have been so bad (he must have been really tired), but he continued for days to give interviews bad mouthing Sgt. Crowley, when he should have just said "I was tired- I overreacted". Maybe after a beer with OB he will be able to apologize for continue to rant days after it was clear that no racial profiling was done.

Come on!!! Everybody know wat this is another case were the police make a bad judgement and then force there badge when there proved wrong and forgiven for putting a person through humilation the president was correct in his choice of word "STUPIDLY"

Seems like Gen. Powell is one of the few Republicans who actually has something worthy to say these days.

Once the victim has given the officer, his state I.d. and his work I.D,, in his home, then in an instant, the officer can see and verify that he is the legal occupant of that home. it is at that exact time, the officer had no other duty in that home. He was to have given that citizen his I.D. back, and leave that house. There was no need, legal or otherwise, to remain in that home. With technology and radio technology, the officer could have/ and should have, verified that i.d. to the address by dispatch, then simply leave.
His failure to leave, once those valid identification was give to him, shows that he was the one caught up, in emotionalism.

I have yet to see anyone, state the obvious: that once he got his i.d., and saw that it reflected the address he was standing in, the officer should have left.

period.

What in the world could you possibly find "fascinating" with a complete and utter moron like Palin? What, did you miss Dan Quayle that much?

Kinda like cancer is fascinating

I'm very glad to hear that Mr. Powell didn't automatically side with Gates in this matter. Powell has demonstrated that he is capable of seeing both sides of an issue and coming to a decision after that. He doesn't rush into anything and speaking out of turn. I have great respect for the man and his many accomplishments. As a young white republican, I do also have to say that Rush Limbaugh isn't the head of the Republican Party, Michael Steele is. And I don't listen to half of what Limbaugh says about anything. I still wish that Powell would have been the first black president, not because he is a republican, but because he is so qualified, he has done such a great job in his many endeavors. He is respected around the world. Not like the fool that's in the white house now. God help us!

Powell is 10 times the man Gates will ever be.

I adore and admire General Colin Powell.

Lest we not forget, he decided to vote for President Obama after Palin started to spew the hatred.

General Powell knows that every race, color and creed puts on the uniform. So if you can die for this country, why can't you be President? But let's ask the Birthers on this one. The American Indians and Mexicans may want their country back considering we are all merely guest in this country.

Gates was acting the fool, plain and simple. And no, there is no excuse for that..., especially with a stupid cop.

"fascinating" Powell said that. Of coarse he said alot of stuff infront of the UN that he didn't believe. So maybe this is his way of getting back into the REP. good graces. Or maybe hes just getting OLD!

Good of Powell for admitting the fascination of Sarah Palin. Powell, too, is fascinating. His support of Obama has weakened greatly since his early endorsement for president.

Whats the fascination with Palin CNN? I think she is not going to be a candidate for VP or Pres. ever. Also on Powell he is a great man and a kind man but the lunatic liberals so more hateful thinks about Palins children and others than anyone else. I have not heard Rush in a while but have never heard him attack someones kids. Thats just okay if you are a scumback liberal who can hide behind a screen name.

From a right-winger, Mr. Powell is a class act and always has been. I honestly wish he had ran for president....we wouldn't be in this mess now.

Speaking of "mess: does anyone know who might be running against Pelosi in 2010...I'd like to send them some money.

I'm glad Colin Powell stated what needed to be said about Gates. He should have cooperated and it would have been the end of it. It's amazing how many people are searching for anything to turn this into a racially driven incident instead of a officer trying to do his job and a man who tried to make his life hell. Was he being racist, or was Gates trying to provoke him into responding in a manner that would validate his own feelings that the officer was a racist? Or in the words of Rambo, "He drew first blood".

As for Palin. I think she realized she looked miserable as a governor and everything she did was subject to public scrutiny. She's not interested in doing more for Alaska. She's trying to avoid having to give access to information regarding what she's up to and avoid a scandal before she can make another run at the Oval Office. Nothing more.... Nothing less. Nothing she's done has been for anyone but Sarah.

Powell represents the old GOP. Dignified, a little stodgy, intellectual, a worthy opponent. Limbaugh represents the "Gingrich on acid" GOP. Most people could find common ground with Powell, but only a loony could agree with Rush.

Hand what to her? A medal for her tabloid appeal?

Thank God there is a person that really knows what "might" have happened – total exhaustion and frustration caused the outbursts, nothing more. Neither was at fault, it was just a "bad timing" situation for both men. I do not believe race had anything to do with it as some in the media are accusing the officer of, and closely followed by certain troublemakers from Illinois.

Conservatives like their leaders to be dumb and confident. Palin is just such a leader. She has no idea that she has no idea what she is talking about. She imagines that the small amount of action going on inside her skull is what happens inside the skull of smart people – like most not-too-bright individuals.

Compare her answers to questions to those of Obama or Clinton or Kennedy. Palin only offers a few Conservative cliches followed by an applause line. The same ones every time.

I think that the Republican core will love her.

Go, Sarah, go!

class act

he should run for office

I love this guy

Limbaugh is an idiot! Why are people scared for a fat moron with no credibility, who continues to promote hate and racism? Give me a break.

A class act! Please run for President Please.

Fascinating the same way as having gum stuck on your

He repeated his assessment that the former Republican vice presidential candidate had not been ready for the Oval Office last fall, but said she was worth watching.

Like most of us feel she is worth watching becasue she is like watching a train weck waiting to happen. SNL – All the way!

Powell.. good guy actually. CNN could take some hints form him. Especially Soledog Obrien. I am sick of her racebaiting, pompous, ass kissing documentaries.

There will always be a strong base for Rush Limbaugh..............he's not a traitor.....Powell is. Powell needs to man up and admit he's nothing more than a closeted Democrat.

Skip? And because "Skip" was in a bad mood it became a national incident? Please, stop making excuses for bad behaviour. "Skip" did what he did because he knew he could get on the phone to his friend the president, get on the phone with the press and make a spectacle out of the whole thing. Powell lost all credibility during his tenure with the Bush administration so he really needs to keep quiet. Is the racial profiliong done to him similar to the WMD in Iraq??

"Palin is fascinating..."

Translation: she freaks me out by her incoherent and incessant rambling.

Wow, This guy is a geneious... When ever he need some money and attention he will come to CNN which always like to have the so called republicans bunch to lash out republicans. First of all what did achive for the party and what is his principle? Does any one have guts to ask him from CNN?

When he supported a black for president , he is not a republican at all. Common CNN pay money to some one worth...

Although I'm a Democrat, Gen. Powell is, without doubt, a man who would get my vote should he ever decide to run for president. He is a man of integrity with a soldiers sense of loyalty. He displays remarkable insight, is able to look across party lines and address issues, rather than politics. Oh, to have a man of his quality and stature in the Obama administration; a fine mind to complement that of President Obama and his cabinet.

And I should care what a turncoat traitor has to say?

She sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No Ideas at all expect cry babying, and bleaming everyone but herself and her cheessey cabinet

I am a Republican in my early 30's and we need new leadership in the GOP. Rush Limbaugh does have too much power and Sarah Palin is not the future of this party. What we need is for General Powell to take the reigns. He should have been president in 2000 and I think he should run in 2012.

'Fascinating' is one way to describe her. I can think of a better descriptor that begins with 'f'...

Powell is right on about the Gates incident--it had nothing to do with Racial Profiling, it was just a cranky old man causing drama and accusing a white officer of racism because Gates had a bad day.....Gates did a HUGE disservice to the subjects of race relations and racial profiling by overreacting the way he did.
Janie, Springfield MA

a stong base of ignorance, I'd love to see a rational foward thinking individual even try justifying the comments of Rush. I won't hold my breath on that because it can't happen so it won't happen.

PLEASE – stop the inane comments about Palin. When there is something signifcant to report, then ok. But every day having a ticker about Palin? What is the point or value in that?

Powell's a product of Affirmative Action; he'd have never been a general if he weren't black...then, he claims to be a republican, but the minute a black dem is running, he supports him. He only voted for Obama because of color....hmm....shows a lot of depth there, Colin.
Stormin' Norman was right to not trust him.

I like Powell, but how can we trust the republican party when it wont stand up to the nutcases in its ranks. By nutcases I am talking about Limbaugh, the Birthers and the rest of the nuts that spout hateful rhetoric. I would trust Powell if he were the leader of the republican party, but he wont do it namely because he has to much class to allow himself to be used as a puppet ever again ala Michael Steel.

Colin, join the Democrats and make us all happy. You've given up your right to call yourself a Republican.

He should have called her her rightful name: LOSER

A pig with lipstick would be fascinating... Palin's just an idiot.

"Fascinating figure", What is Mr.Powell talking about her hips or is this just a plain OXYMORON.

Interesting article, Colin Powell has always been an intriguing individual and i look forward to hearing the whole store. Hard to believe that racial profiling continues, but alas it does.

General Powell –

Please come back! We need you in the Republican Party, not Sarah Palin and certainly not Rush Limbaugh. The party used to be so clear-minded and intelligent; now it is run by hillbillies.

Please, General Powell. You are our only hope.

Oh no! Say it isn't so Gen. Powell! A highly respected figure like you, and a Republican to boot openly admitting that he was racially profiled....many times! Guess what though, Colin, you're being racially profiled yet again because as far as I can see you would be the obvious choice for 2012 for your party; yet they rather stick with the quitter-illiteracy-no-newspaper-see-Russia poster child: Pailin.
It's a darn shame! They'd stand a good chance with you in the race sir.

Regarding the general's assessment of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin – I'm not sure what is fascinating about her. Is it accurate to describe a violent accident as fascinating? If so, then perhaps he is right. Still, "fascinating" implies she has something to positive to contribute, and on this I cannot agree.

I would love to see Larry King cover the issue of why Israel is the one constantly blamed for everything which goes wrong with the Palestinians. After all, not only is Hamas and Fatah committed to never recognizing Israel as a state, they both support terrorism at home and abroad. As if that were not enough, the massive amounts of aid dollars flowing into the Palestinian coffers disappears into a haze due to corruption at the highest levels. Palestinians have constantly rejected a two state solution and yet somehow Israel becomes the bogeyman. Is that not an issue worth covering?

Thanks, Gen. Powell, but you have hitched onto a dying party, too bad there are not more in the RNC willing to compromise and use common sense.
And as for Rush, he is an entertainer, much like CNN we no longer have news reports everything is an editorial.

I heart Colin Powell <33
I would like t see him work more in the Obama Admin

will be watching...

Dear Republicans,

Appealing to your base will not help you win elections. Reaching out with an open mind to independents and young people will.

When Palin, Limbaugh and those like them, tell obvious lies that can repudiated with a quick check on the internet or by watching the acutal video, those of us NOT making up the "base" vote against you, Especially since you have put these types forward as your leaders.

Most young people get there news from Colbert and Stewart who pick apart Republican lies with great ease using your own words.

McCain naming Palin as his choice for Vice President appealed to the base and lost the election. The rest of us saw right through it.

Something to think about.

I love this guy!

Palin is fascinating like a bar fight; you might want to watch, but not get involved with. unfortunately this one might pull us all into because the republican base is the fighter that is losing and gets desperate. what amazes me is there is anyone that still listens to, much less supports

I totally agree with everything General Powell said regarding Prof Gates EXCEPT...I do not think Ms. Palin is facinating in the least nor is she worth watching and certainly not with great interest. Also, anyone that fears Rush Limbaugh is out of their mind. Who is he? Why does the public care what he has to say? Yuk! If the GOP is afraid of him when will we ever have a chance to be running the country again? He is just a man with an opinion. He doesn't and hasn't served the public in any way other then to speak his mind...nor more than what I am doing right now. For crying out loud...get a grip GOP!

I am a democrat who loves Powell – because he is true to himslef and his beliefs. The simple fact that he doesn't bow to Limbaugh every time the guy makes an idiotic remark – well, Powell scores high marks for sure on that.

Mr. Powell is so nice. LOL
We all know he and a lot of other Republicans would like her to just GO AWAY!!! LOL
The lady is an opportunist and has got a touch of the limelight and she don't want to let it go out!!! LOL
I'm just waiting for the person who will douse her light with water so she will go OUT!!! LOL

"fascinating figure… you have got to hand it to her."

If the rest of the GOP were as diplomatic as Gen. Powell. Pity their loudest voices belong to those who would incite fear and hate to placate their dwindling base.

Gen. Powell would not have been arrested.
No need.

Once again, Gen Powell is the voice of reason in a sea of Yahoos.

Rush Limbaugh is King in the GOP eyes. Guess he doesn't need a vote - he has a radio show and they are afraid of him.

On the money...tho Palin isnt fascinating at all...Gates blew this up imo...

In other words General Powell has the personal integrity to stand up to Limbaugh and the other Republican "leaders" do not. That is just so sad....what happened to the Thomas Jefferson's, Abraham Lincoln's, Theodore Roosevelt's?? They made compromises for politics sake but not at the expense of everything they believed....

I have always liked Colin Powell, even though he's a Republican. He has a good head on his shoulders. Pity he won't run for President.

What a great man . . . wish he were in the WH!

Isn't it Henry Louis Gates and not Robert Louis Gates? Please fix...