Colin Powell Slams GOP: Republicans Have to Stop 'Demonizing' President
Colin Powell has lashed out against the Republican Party for taking a negative tone towards the President.
On the celebration day of President Obama's inauguration, many are still offering their skepticism about a second term. But has there been too much negative criticism? Former Secretary of State Colin Powell believes so, and has come down harsh on the Republican Party for encouraging a negative attitude.
Some Republican members left Washington D.C. on Monday to avoid the celebration of the Presidential Inauguration, according to reports. The lack of cooperation, however, is becoming unproductive in the eyes of some.
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"Republicans have to stop buying into things that demonize the President. I mean, why aren't Republican leaders shouting out about all this birther nonsense and all these other things? They should speak out," Powell said during an ABC interview with Diane Sawyer.
"This is the kind of intolerance that I've been talking about where these idiot presentations continue to be made and you don't see the senior leadership of the party say, 'No, that's wrong.' In fact, sometimes by not speaking out, they're encouraging it. And the base keeps buying the stuff," Powell added.
As a result, Powell has stated that the Republican Party is destroying itself.
"And it's killing the base of the party. I mean, 26 percent favorability rating for the party right now. It ought to be telling them something. So, instead of attacking me or whoever speaks like I do, look in the mirror and realize, 'How are we going to win the next election?'"
Other proclaimed Republicans appeared to take Powell's side.
"He is accurate," one user wrote on the Yahoo blog, in response to the article. "I voted Romney reluctantly, because Obama wasn't an option for me, but I saw the Repubs shooting themselves in the foot over and over looking like idiots. I think we need to follow the wisdom of a guy like Powell or we will never win again."
