You're showing your bias with the comment about Olbermann. Any critically thinking daytime watcher of MSNBC knows they tilt right.

Plus, any comment about a leftward movement by MSNBC should have been met with a right wing descriptor of Fox in the next paragraph.

Hi Dave, you need a political compass -- fast. You are lost, my friend -- dazed and confused. Thanks. Z

Good post by Zurawik. I live in Chiapas,Mexico. We get almost no TV news from the states except what is filtered through CNN and rely on blogs and google news on line. I am Dem and glad to see things turning well for Obama.

Keith Olbermann. Cutting, incisive, gutsy. Not left. What is left about calling Bush a liar in 2004, before anyone would use the L word and Bush and the GOP were sponsoring tremendous lies about the other side.

Hopefully RIP for the nasty politics since Ronald Reagan and hopefully a birth of respect between the parties which could foster true bipartisanism.

Hi, thanks for the comment. And I second your RIP, but I think we both know we are whistling past the grave yard on that one. Thanks most of all for the testimony on how folks who do not have the same access to varied TV channels do use the Internet and other strategies to get information they trust. I believe there is a great appetite for such information, and the media outlets that provide it will thrive while the others whither and die. Z

Too bad the media is way too biased about politics. There is always going to be a hidden agenda we are not going to be able to see. The media, unfortunately, can spin things whichever way they see fit to match their own agenda. Fox News has to be the most despicable news channel on Television. I never rely on them or CNN for politics. The internet, www.factcheck.org, is what I reference for my presidential facts.

Your belief that Jim Leher's report on "crumbling infrastructure" is not "direct politics" shows your that you are nieve...this is a cornerstone of Obama's "economic investment." Surely, you have seen this in the debates, stump speechs and advertisements...if I can call you surley...Twilliam, Louisiana

my pronostic

45 55

just put a name on it....

Ok Ok I can see you can not handle a woman in the office! Enough with the crack down's on Palin. To be honest, Colin Powell’s endorsement of Barack Obama came as no supprise to me and as I have had HIGH regard's for him, he as well is not without falt. I belive he made a wrong choice for the wrong reason's.A lot of thing's have been said about Barack Obama , but be honist do any one of you think for one moment that Barack Obama would serve our great country as John McCain has (I think not) With that said .... Do we want someone in the white house that would not do what ever was needed of him to do really take care of our nation? You are really underestimating Sarah Palin.

And what is the ancestry for Colin Powell? Nough said!

Powell's comments were dead one and I'm hoping they are the voice of reason that independant voters were awaiting these last few weeks. His interview simply represented a trust factor that not too many people still hold that spoke out and convincingly established a case against McCain and for Obama. Finally someone America will listen to who shares our thoughts - how others have not seen this light is beyond me and clearly shows partisanship over common sense. By the way, I love how enthusiastic McCain is to be the underdog - let's hope he stays as happy and content with his speech on Nov. 4th when he concedes to Obama after a landslide...

Two comments. #1- Powell is nothing more that a polital racist, trying to be a part of history being the claim to fame. He of all people should be greatful to the republican party for getting to where he is today, and it is an outright disgrace the way he has turned his back on his party. His reasoning is even more shallow. To say that McCain has flipped his stance on the solution for the economy is as far from true as it can get, and to further say that Borracks plan was better is an outright lie. Obama has given no direct answer to what he is actually going to do to save our economy, other than spread the wealth which is not how democracy works. It is possible that Obama forgot what country we are living in, a place where anyone with ambitions can acheive success. America was founded on a survival of the fittest mentality, not to say we shouldnt help everyone acheive their gaols and dreams, but taking from someone who has acheived their dreams and giving their hard earned money to those who havent is not America.
#2- Palin is continously portrayed as someone who has no experience to be vice president, yet has caused the lasrgest swing the announcement of a vice presidential nominee has ever had in the polls. Oh, and in what ways is she any less qualified to be vice president than Obama is to be president. Obama has absolutley no accomplishments, and if our economy hadn't taken a hit when it had he would be no where near where he is right now.

Is it true that some of Obama's
donations are coming from the
arabs?????

I hear you on Keith Olbermann; however, one must remember the MSM completely fell asleep on its job of fact checking and questioning the Bush Administration in its march to war in Iraq. Then, when the whole case for war turned out to be a pile of maneur, where was the righteous indignation? Nada. What about domestic spying and the million other outrages of the Bush Administration? Again, nada. That was Keith's job. He gave voice to our collective frustration and anger. He is a counterweight to the pure administration propaganda going on over at Fox. But I think his whole reason to exist goes out the window the day Obama is sworn in ... unless Keith can reinvent himself in some manner.

Well, good article but I disagree with one thing. Brian Williams is definitely not impartial or the most even-handed in the business. Brian Williams is a staunch Zionist and supporter of Israel. In todays climate in the middle east, it would be nice to truly have someone impartial on nightly news to tell us that AIPAC is pushing America to war right now. He should ask Palin about her AIPAC advisor who was on the Iraq Liberation committee or whatever that group was.

Powell is black... why is this a surprise?

With Powell it's the typical black supporting black thing.
Americans should take note that while Powell and McCain were in the thick of Vietnam. Obamas associate William Ayer's was back home killing and maming Americans. Mr. Ayer's says they didn't do enough. That's why he backs Obama, It would appear to me that Powell doesn't think Ayer's did either.
It appears to be popular to support terrorist this year
Obama couldn't lead a blind man across the street

Very disapointed in Powell for endorsing a man that has such close ties to terrorist.
I jhave always admired Powell, but now am just in shock. I thought that you loved this country.
Obama needs some time to prove himself before he would be a president. There is too much "unknown" as well as questoniable about him.
Sarah Palin on the other hand is a proven Commander in Cheif of the only full time active duty guard in the nation.
JJS

Colin Powell's comments really surprised me....then they didn't. He obviously positioned himself for a cabinet position, and as you may remember, he has been against our involvement in the war, although not offering a reasonable exit strategy. That's why he left the Bush platform.....he's a closet democrat.

WHat I was surprised about was how much venom HE spewed about McCain's negative campain ads, not mentioning how much Gov. Palin has been villified. Sorry, you are flat wrong about Gov. Palin.

It's also apparent, how race will play out in an Obama admistration. Watch how he chooses his cabinet, and I'll bet right now you will see racial bias enter in the equation!

That is, assuming the current poles are correct!

David,
I just came across this page for the first time this morning. I think you have an intereting format hear. What I would like to know, however, is why you are giving so much lip service to Obama leaning media and shows? How about a review of Hannity's special on Obama's radicalism last night? It was something that every voting American should be asking themselves. The Obama campaign has doen a great job of deflecting these questions when in the spotlight. I, as an educated voter, still want to know why he is friend's with so many radical people and why he has made it so far? Yes, the economy and Iraq are important issues to me, but I want to know about the character of the person who will be leading this country through these hard times. Since the media is about the only place that the majority of American's are getting their information on the Presidential race, do your country a favor and report all of the information. Many American's now are unable and unwilling to do research themselves. They wach the 6 o'clock news for 30 minutes and believe whatever the person behind the desk says. I don't care who people vote for, as long as they know WHY they are voting for that person. and "because he represents change" is not a reason.

Davie "Z" you continue to: ovoid, give a pass, or perhaps "spin" in an other direction the fact that (According to George Mason) that nearly 90% of so-called journalists spin their content to the left. That is an indictment that is chilling to the rest of us. It only seems to warm the cockles of your spin machine! :-)

General Powell's endosement of Obama was big. However, the most important point was his concern about the divisiveness of the Republican campaign.

There have been repeated efforts to label Obama a Muslim and thus unfit to be President. Powell put that issues to rest perfectly. This is the USA. Anyone, regardless of religion affiliation should not be discouraged from pursuing higher office. We should not be telling Muslim boys or girls or any other person growing up in the USA that they should forget about growing up to be President of the USA because of their religiious affiliation. If they can serve in our military, risk their lives and die for this country, this country should be willing to accept them fully and NOT tell them they have no right to certain dreams because of how they worship.

Let us evaluate people based on the mettle of their character and their abilities. Let us not use religion as a determinant of who is acceptable and unaceptable to be President, ever. The USA use to be a beacon for all people regardless of religious persuation. Somehow, the message that has gone out to the world more recently is, USA -- Christians only, all others NOT need apply. How tragic for us that it takes General Powell to remind us that is NOT who we are or at least who were were.

Thsi is proof that the election of the presidency is purchased and not a matter of abilities. Neither of the candidates are worhty of the office, but money will get them in.

We Want Our Government Back

Right now the government is in the hands of people who truly have NO interest in what WE THE PEOPLE want. You say and do anything to get a vote – both sides. Decisions are not made on sound judgment. They are made based on how you feel your constituency will respond. We are at the mercy of the government. They should be at the mercy of us. We have slowly but surely, over the course of time, given up power to people who are “career politicians”, not statesmen. They are not our representatives. They are people who have a paid job in Washington, or even locally for that matter. You get paid to pander to a select group of people who keep you in your job. That is demonstrated every day during an election cycle by changing positions as often as the wind blows. It’s all a game and we are the pawns in your game. Is there a financial crisis, kind of… but is it as bad as the politicians are making it sound to promote their own agenda. Is there an energy crisis, kind of... but is it as bad as the politicians are making it sound to promote their own agenda. Is the threat from terrorists real – yes. Is a war necessary to protect our homeland – yes. We could fix the financial mess if politics would step aside and let WE THE PEOPLE, American ingenuity, be a part of the solution vetting process. The same with energy, healthcare, social security, and every other “hot topic”. We could fix the problem ourselves – and get what WE really want – if politicians would step aside and let us come in and clean up their mess. There are many shrewd business people who could teach the government a thing or two about managing money. There are many scientists who can help us find short and long term energy solutions. Sarah Palin – I LOVE the idea you had of forming a commission of REAL people, not politicians, to study the issue of Global Warming and provide you with recommendations. You are not expected to be a subject matter expert on all matters. We want a leader who can make good decisions, based on sound advice from REAL people on both sides of the issue. You are the closest thing I have seen to a REAL person who wants to take on Washington. Don’t get caught up in the media frenzy and pandering – Tell us how you plan to organize REAL people to find REAL solutions and get government out of the way so the American people can shine. It is our people that are great – not our government.

It is our fault we are in this mess because we have let you take over our lives for so long. We have not been involved (except during election season), we have not spoken out and Washington has run amuck. How can you, who are the problem, fix the problem? You can’t. The vocal minority lead the rest of us to believe that government is the solution. How can government be the solution, when they are the problem?

You have about two weeks left. We all know where you stand on issues. Hopefully that won’t change between now and Election Day. I, and many likeminded individuals, am going to vote for the person who can demonstrate in the next month how they plan to get people involved in their government once again. We don’t want to hear about debates on Capitol Hill – we want to be a part of them. We don’t want a “representative” voice – we want a real voice! I would urge each candidate to run one ad, and one ad only between now and Election Day. How are you going to enable US to solve the problems? I would urge the ads to be centered on how you plan to organize, energize and involve WE THE PEOPLE to fix the mess we have allowed you to create. What if the Vice President was charged with organizing local Congressman and Leaders to set up Town Hall meetings all over the country to gather the voice of the people? Simultaneously she was setting up NON PARTISAN experts on various committees to come up with solutions, based on what we the people report we want. You combine our will with their expertise and I am sure we will come up with the strongest solutions in the history of the world. Stop wasting our time with propaganda. We know how you stand on issues – if not, refer us to your website and post your plans there.

Tell us how you are going to give us back control of a government run completely out of control. I don’t care what any polls are saying right now or what any one is advising you. The number one poll number that has not changed for the last two years is the approval rating of Congress. It is at the lowest point ever in history. The Presidential approval rating is at an all time low. These numbers do not change. They don’t fluctuate based on biased media reports. They are real – WE ARE NOT HAPPY with a Democratic run Congress or a Republican President. Our dislike for government is not partisan. You all got us where we are at – with our permission no less, and oddly enough, many people believe that you can bail us out. That is pure non sense.

WE THE PEOPLE are the solution. We are bright, energetic and optimistic about the future. Sadly enough, too many people believe what the media promotes. Media has always been a propaganda machine. It always will be. Use it to your advantage to get the message out as to how you will empower WE THE PEOPLE to help you fix the problem. We want to be an active part of the solution and never again give you a blank check to take advantage of us and use us as pawns in your game. We want to be more powerful than special interest. We want to actively be part of developing a plan to move our future forward. For once, let the government enable the people instead of the people enabling the government!

---=====[> COLIN POWELL IS A TRUE AMERICAN HERO

See Colin Powell's accomplishments:

Secretary Powell was a professional soldier for 35 years, during which time he held myriad command and staff positions and rose to the rank of 4-star General. He was Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs from December 1987 to January 1989. His last assignment, from October 1, 1989 to September 30, 1993, was as the 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military position in the Department of Defense. During this time, he oversaw 28 crises, including
Operation Desert Storm in the victorious 1991 Persian Gulf War.

Secretary Powell’s civilian awards include two Presidential Medals of Freedom, the President’s Citizens Medal, the Congressional Gold Medal, the Secretary of State Distinguished Service Medal, and the Secretary of Energy Distinguished
Service Medal. Several schools and other institutions have been named in his honor and he holds honorary degrees from universities and colleges across the country.

COLIN POWELL'S MILITARY MEDALS:

General Powell has been the recipient of numerous U.S. military awards and decorations including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Defense Superior
Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart. He has also .been decorated by the governments of Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, United Kingdom, and Venezuela.

Additional Sources:
1. http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/powell-bio.html
2. http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/pow0bio-1
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colin_Powell
4. http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/96apr/powell.html
5. http://www.state.gov/secretary/former/40385.htm

I'm a retired vet but I still work full time in the telecommunications field (TV Broadcasting). I get to see a lot of the "stuff" everyone would like to see. During my service in the USAF so much of what we call historical fact is only one piece of the story. I laugh at the media these days. They get so little right that it all amounts to misinformation. Many facts are either hidden or just touched upon in a brief comment or two. (It's so one dimensional) The masses are MADE to think one thing when the truth is much different. Most of my fellow Americans don't bother to research the facts for themselves. No, they just believe what they want. Too many don't even know what real Socialism is. They don't want to honestly face the results of such a system. They don't even know what real Freedom is under our Constitution. They have been educated yet they lack discernment. Communism is destructive, Socialism is suicidal and Free Enterprise, left unsupervised by the people, brings slavery. Ben Franklin said it well when he said in essence we have a republic, if we can hold on to it! The Public Trust is used to bail out private enterprise, pork and strings attached! We want the Government to be our Parents, providing everything, except equitable solutions that require personal responsibility. Should the Government demand everyone work hard only to have our hard work wasted? Must I labor for the ones who refuse to labor? When such policies of Socialism are in place the system fails! Hawaii had to reverse itself on the State Health Care system. The effects of Government health care are counterproductive! Do you really want the Government to own private business in America? If you do than we will become nothing more than Cuba! Politicians always promise the world but deliver nothing but words and excuses. History repeats itself yet once again. Powell wants a job and he will back the man who will give it to him. Obama wants a Socialistic utopia where he is the head. McCain is trying to appeal to everyone, can't speak as well as Obama, and runs the risk of loosing because of the negative slant about Obama. Hey, what are the FACTS. People who don't know who to vote for don't seem to be very stable. What do they believe? Are their feelings hurt because of facts? Are they persuaded by fair speeches and a nice voice? You can't live by feelings and you won't survive on promises. So now WE won't drill off our coast BUT CHINA will! Terrorism will be "talked away" cause they are nice guys who want peace! Their goals are our defeat! Obama wants to reduce our military in every area. Our INTEL is already suffering due to congressional inaction. Obama promises more reduction. He wants to own private industry! Well, there is so much more to say but I'll say bye for now. I wonder if you will even read this message? Hope so. J Daly

wow very interesting

http://www.diarytech.com/blog/1-general/3-powell-will-have-a-role-in-obama-administration-.html

Well Dave,
If only all of America shared your idea of what you consider great TV. Here's a funny one, the skit about the black Marxist Illinois Senator that everyone was so starry-eyed about yet had very little political experience, let alone substance when it came to the practical application of government. When white people questioned his experience they were called racist. Then he takes office and enforces his Marxist rule and the country spirals into the worst recession in thirty years and America becomes a third-world nation....ha ha ha ha. Hilarious!

Collin Powell marginalized his distinguished career by throwing it in the Bush-Cheney mud wallow of war,
lies, and deceit, just to be a cosmetic, meek and subservient Secretary of State. I cannot believe that he did not have access to the president, and that he had to call Ms. Rice -the National Security Advisor then- and convince her that he had something very important to discuss with Bush, then she would screen the matter, and decide whether or not she would grant access to him to call the president. He should have resigned immediately, and should have told the press that he did not accept the job of the Secretary of State to just become an errand boy of Bush, Cheney and Rove.

But he decided to stay in the morass, and function more like a shoe-shine boy to Bush's insiders. And when Paul Wolfowitz contradicted him on a matter of foreign policy, he didn't have the gut to tell the press that he
was in charge of foreign policy - not Wolfowitz. He just told the reporters
"you have to ask Mr. Wolfowitz!"

But when he went to the United Nations and lied to the world about Saddam's Weapons of Mass Destruction on camera, that was a disgrace. Now, disgraced, and with Bush's public approval ratings in the 20s% , Collin Powell seeks public rehabilitation by jumping on the Obama campaign train. Maybe that's his revenge on the republicans who used and disposed of him unceremoniously. Sorry, General, but you should have jumped out of the Bush administration as soon as you were told that as Secretary of State you had to report to Condoleza Rice as your boss - not to the president.
You could have made a great service to the country and saving thousands of lives then, and with the saved billions of dollars for the wars, out economy would have been much better today.
Nikos Retsos, retired Pol. Sci. professor

Hi Mr. Retsos, Thanks for the analysis. I cannot wait to see what other readers have to say about it. Thanks. Z

Now that Powell has emerged from the darkness he should start by telling us how he allowed America (as Sec of State) to be rail roaded into the Iraq war. Once he explains that then maybe I would care about his other opinions

Several tv news outlets are reporting that Rush Limbaugh, who isn't fit to comment on a distinguished and accomplished person such as Colin Powell, has presumed to claim that Powell's endorsement of Obama is solely about race. Limbaugh is frightened, like many right wingnuts, of fading away as he observes his rants become more and more irrelevant. Colin Powell's endorsement is a crucial validation of Barack Obama's qualifications, and a severe blow to the underhanded McCain effort to associate Obama with "terrorism." Powell also critiqued the insidious nature of the Limbaugh-like suggestions made by Gov. Sarah Palin and Rep. Michele Bachmann that anyone with views other than those they approve must be "anti-American." Perhaps this election will finally give the nation the chance to put to rest the phony Republican claim that they have exclusive rights to being considered patriotic and pro-American. Instead, Republicans have repeatedly put self-interest and political expediency--and greed--ahead of the nation's interests, and I'd call that pretty "anti-American" if I didn't think such a term was not worth using at all, by anyone. And by the way, thank goodness for Keith Olbermann's mental health, intelligence, courage, and moral fiber in cutting through the bull and sketching accurately what's been going on. He's kept me sane during the Bushed years, and now as well.

Hi GD, You can see some of the people who posted comments here who also want to say it is all about race. I do not know what one can say in response to that kind of cynicism and narrow mindedness. I am not going to even start talking about Rush Limbaugh and all his local wannabes who preached a simple-minded view of the world that is now exploding in their faces. Thanks. Z

Mr. Z, you have to have the most wonderful blog that the Sun has.; hope you get some money for this! Powell's statement showed that there are really good and thinking Republicans (tho far and between) that he use the Light of Reason when making his decision instead of some political ideology. He could have slammed the Bush Administration for their disgraceful way he was treated and yet he chose the high road. Must admit I lost some respect when he became a "W" / Cheny puppet, but when he left I started to slowly gain my respect for a person who is gracious enought to not say anything. Surely, some of those "Undecideds" will realize that Powell isn't a socialist/communist or anti-american. Those yahoos from the red-states who have been taught not to think just vote the wat you're supposed will now see the light! By now you must be on the berge of experiencing the wick coming close to the bottom of the candle. Hang in there it's only 15 more days and you can actually get some sleep and maybe even go out on a Saturday night instead of waiting for SNL.

JB

Dear Z: You have some great information on this blog but I do not agree with this statement in part of your column.

“And from the huge overnight ratings for Saturday Night Live, to the buzz for former Secretary of State Colin Powell’s endorsement of Barack Obama on Meet the Press, I know there were millions of viewers running the same race over the weekend. TV is still the way the vast majority of us experience politics.”

I did not see either Palin or Powell on TV at all but I saw them on You Tube. My own estimate based on comscore trends is that You Tube alone will deliver about 6 billion videos this month to 98 million Americans and the rest of the web will also deliver about 5 billion off the Google platform. I don’t think you can overestimate the way people are leaving TV and newspapers and magazines in very large numbers and I don’t think they will come back just for HDTV because unless the content is better, you don’t care if the picture is higher resolution. I have seen HDTV and the novelty wears off very fast. It still depends on content and broadcast and cable TV cannot match the content of the web. That is why the web is working so hard and fast to improve its full motion picture quality on larger screens and now is offering full length programs with commercials.

Watching regular broadcast or commercial cable is very passive and you cannot just watch TV and work on emails at the same time. No one can measure, because there are no tools to measure, how many millions of people are sending each other video links. This is the new way to campaign and it cuts both ways because it is not just young and liberal Obama supporters but it is also military and Christians and gun owners and homeschool parents, and pro-life people and in the case of Sarah Palin, parents of special needs children. The most effective use of the web is as a peer-to-peer network of friends and alumni.

I think one reason Obama is not much farther ahead in the polls with all the hurricane at his back is that his money is not buying what it could in 2004 when there was no You Tube—it did not exist. There are so many Obama commercials on so many different topics on broadcast TV that you cannot remember them. No one knows how much of that spending is sticking since information seekers are getting input from so many other sources instead of broadcast and cablecast TV.

Mark Rhoads
Falls Church, Va.

Hi Mark, thanks for this thoughtful analysis. It gets at the transitional time we find ourselves in between the TV Era and the Age of the Internet. It will be interesting to see what others say. Thanks. Z

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/10/palins-medica-2.html