Powell Says G.O.P. Needs More Inclusion

The video below shows Colin Powell, on Face the Nation, discussing the legal politics of Guantanamo and enhanced interrogations. The full CBS video is here.

What's getting more attention is Powell's call for the Republican Party to be "more inclusive." The New York Times has the story, "Answering Critics, Powell Says G.O.P. Needs Change."

See also, "Powell Defends GOP Credentials, Calls for More Inclusive Party" (via Memeorandum):

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell took on Dick Cheney and Rush Limbaugh Sunday, shooting down their accusations that he had abandoned the Republican Party while continuing to dish out advice to the GOP.

Powell, speaking on CBS' "Face the Nation," touted his Republican credentials and urged his party to be more moderate and inclusive. He was answering back after Limbaugh called on him to join the Democrats and Cheney said he thought Powell had already left the GOP.

"Rush will not get his wish and Mr. Cheney was misinformed. I am still a Republican," Powell said, noting that he "oted solidly for Republican candidates" for president for 20 years, spent 10 years of his life serving in Republican administrations and spoke at two GOP conventions.

"You know, neither (Cheney) nor Rush Limbaugh are members of the membership committee of the Republican Party. I get to make my decision on that," Powell said. "And so I will continue to work in a way that I think is helpful to the country and helpful to the party."

Colin Powell is a great American. I think HE was misinformed in voting for Barack Obama, and his own personal history belies the notion that the GOP lacks inclusion or fails to provide opportunities for qualified minorities.

Actually, it's something of a shame for him to be getting into these debates at this point.

But check Noel Sheppard on seeing the big picture, "Will Media Notice Powell Defended Bush and Agreed With Cheney?"