(ThyBlackMan.com) General Colin Powell, who surprised Republicans by endorsing Barack Obama for President of the United States, has declined this time around. The former head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff referred to President Obama as a “transformational figure,” back in 2008. He’s not so confident in 2012.
Appearing on The Today Show, Colin Powell said, “It’s not just a matter of whether you support Obama or Romney. It’s who they have coming in with them,” he said.
“I always keep my powder dry, as they say in the military,” Colin Powell said to Matt Lauer on the Today Show. 
Colin Powell gives Obama credit for protecting the economy after the downturn of 2008. He also expressed support for Obama’s policies in Afghanistan and Iraq. Powell is in disagreement with Obama’s decision to leave Guantanamo Bay open.
African American voters, particularly those who are not patently liberal, may take a cue from Colin Powell. General Colin Powell is not saying that he wants to betray Obama; rather, he is saying that he will refrain from giving his support without sufficient evidence that the candidate is going to support his interests.
Far too many Obama supporters make the strategic error of guaranteeing unconditional support without full understanding of exactly what they are getting in return. That’s no different from giving $10,000 to a car dealer and telling them to give you any car they think you deserve.
The gay community, women’s rights groups, Jews and Hispanics are taking the Colin Powell approach to politics. Their support for any candidate is largely a function of whether that candidate is going to represent their interests. The race of the candidate only matters to the extent that they inject their racial identity into their political decisions. President Obama has gone out of his way to ensure that this is not the case, and neither has Colin Powell.
I would argue that both Colin Powell and Obama are engaging in smart politics. Perhaps we should be taking notes.