[OAW]

As this is coming from someone who would have probably been handily elected POTUS had he chosen to run in 1996 or 2000, what does this mean for the modern day GOP?

Discuss!

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell joked that he identifies as a Republican to annoy the GOP’s right-wing.

“Yes, I’m still a Republican,” he said about his party affiliation during the Washington Ideas Forum in Washington, D.C., according to the Daily Mail.

“I want to continue to be a Republican because it annoys them,” Powell quipped to host Walter Isaacson.

“I think the party has shifted much further right than where the country is and it should be obvious to party leaders that they cannot keep saying and doing the things that they were doing and hope to be successful in national-level election in the future, not just in 2016,” he added.

Powell said a small faction in the GOP is alienating voters with their rhetoric on immigration.

“I think most Republicans understand that we need immigration, we are an immigrant nation [and that] it is in our best interest to do it,” he said.

“But there are pockets of intolerance within the Republican Party [and] the Republican Party had better figure out how to defeat that."

Powell also disputed the notion that GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump represents the Republican message on immigration policy.

“I don’t agree that it’s the Republican position on immigration,” he said of Trump’s stance.

“If I was around Mr. Trump — Donald, who I know rather well — I would say, ‘You know, Don, let’s see what happens — let’s tell all the immigrants working in Trump hotels to stay home tomorrow,” Powell said. “Let’s see what happens.”

Powell urged listeners to look at their fellow Americans and take pride in the immigrant backgrounds they might find.

“There are first-generation American immigrants who will raise children who will go up to higher things,” he said.

“It’s that immigrant tradition — get started and the next generation will be better and the generation after that will be even better.”

Powell: I stay Republican 'because it annoys them' | TheHill

OAW

[subego]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Immigrants are cheap labor.

If a Republican tells you they don't like cheap labor, they're lying.

[OAW]

If you are talking about the more business oriented, investor class Republican types I would agree with you. The problem is there aren't enough of them to comprise a voting majority. So as part of its Southern Strategy since the Barry Goldwater presidential run the GOP uses dog-whistle politics to appeal to the racial resentments of white voters who aren't a part of the "country club" set. And nowadays those GOP voters who are clearly anti-immigrant (and arguably hostile to minorities in general) comprise the base of the Republican party. Many of whom are working and lower-middle class so they are most definitely not in favor of "cheap labor" because it's viewed as a source of downward pressure of their own wages. And in many instances they are right.

OAW

[The Final Dakar]

He's a republican because he's not a democrat. That's not a slam.

There really are two very distinct types of Republican now, in a way I don't think can be said about Democrats. Powell is a 90s GOPer. The anti-establishment sect of the GOP can't stand them.

[BadKosh]

Powell is a RINO. VERY EASY to understand. No dog whistles needed.

[OAW]

^^^^

The modern-day GOP would consider Ronald Reagan to be a RINO as well. Which speaks volumes.

OAW

[The Final Dakar]

Here's a question (for RINO haters): Are RINOs Democrats then? That's the implication, right? Because I seem to recall McCain is a RINO, but he is no Democrat.

[BadKosh]

A non-conservative with liberal leanings AND that "R" after their name would be a RINO.

[BadKosh]

Originally Posted by OAW 

^^^^

The modern-day GOP would consider Ronald Reagan to be a RINO as well. Which speaks volumes.

OAW

MANY conservatives would disagree. Its an old liberal talking point.

[OAW]

Originally Posted by BadKosh 

MANY conservatives would disagree. Its an old liberal talking point.

Talking point? When he granted amnesty for 3 million illegal immigrants? And raised taxes in 7 of his 8 years in office? Ok. Let me re-phrase that then ...

Originally Posted by OAW

The modern-day GOP would consider anyone within their ranks who adopted the exact same positions on immigration and taxes as Ronald Reagan to be a RINO as well. Reagan himself gets pass. Which speaks volumes.

OAW

[The Final Dakar]

The modern-day GOP would consider anyone within their ranks who adopted the exact same positions on immigration and taxes as Ronald Reagan to be a RINO as well. Reagan himself gets pass. Which speaks volumes.

Stephen Colbert gets Ted Cruz to admit he doesn't agree with Reagan on immigration or taxes - Vox

COLBERT: Let me ask about Reagan for a second. Democrats and Republicans have had reasons why they like Ronald Reagan. But does today’s modern Republican Party reflect some of the things Reagan did? Reagan raised taxes. Reagan actually had an amnesty program for illegal immigrants. Neither of those things would allow Reagan to be nominated today. … But are those aspects of Reagan something you could agree with? Raising taxes and amnesty for illegal immigrants?

CRUZ: Ronald Reagan

COLBERT: Could you agree with Reagan on those two things?

CRUZ: No, of course not.

[BadKosh]

The deal was to give 3 million amnesty AND CLOSE THE BORDERS. We're still waiting for that to happen, but the Democrats LIED and continue to lie today.

[Cap'n Tightpants]

I'm shocked. No, not really. McCain is probably in the same camp, they stay in the party just to troll.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by subego 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. Immigrants are cheap labor.

If a Republican tells you they don't like cheap labor, they're lying.

Your point doesn't make sense today.

We have got plenty of unemployed American citizens who don't have a choice but to take low paying jobs. There is NO shortage of cheap labor in the US, even if you cut off all illegal immigrants.

-t

[Captain Obvious]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Your point doesn't make sense today.

We have got plenty of unemployed American citizens who don't have a choice but to take low paying jobs. There is NO shortage of cheap labor in the US, even if you cut off all illegal immigrants.

The state of Alabama would beg to differ based on their experience trying to prove that theory of yours as true.