Gen. Colin Powell on the Tom Joyner Morning Show on Nov. 11, 2009, Veteran’s Day:

“What I have advised him is to not be rushed into a decision because this one is the decision that will have consequences for years to come.  If you [President Obama] decide to send more troops or if that’s what you feel is necessary, make sure you have a good understanding of what those troops are going to be doing and some assurance that the additional troops will be successful.  You can’t guarantee success in a very complex theater like Afghanistan, and increasingly with the Pakistan problem next door, but you have to have some sense of what these additional troops will be able to do. 

And secondly, take your time. 

And third, you gotta make sure that you are putting this commitment on a solid base and the base is a little soft right now.  We’ve got a president in Afghanistan that had a rough election with a lot of corruption associated with the election…a lot of corruption in the government.  And he has been told...Karzi, has been told and I know him very well.  He’s been told that he’s gotta do something about this, he’s gotta do something about the drug problem and he’s gotta start pulling the Afghan people together. 

And so the President [Obama] has to measure that…what kind of base is he putting this new strategy on, because it isn’t just what we do…what do the Afghan’s do.  And it’s made, as I said a moment ago, it’s made particularly difficult because of the unstable situation along the Pakistan border and in Pakistan.   So this is a very difficult one for him and it isn’t just a one time decision, this is the decision that will have consequences for the better part of his administration. 

So Mr. President, don’t get pushed by the left to do nothing and don’t get pushed by the right to do everything, you take your time and you figure it out.  You’re the commander and chief and this is what you’re elected for.”

Click Here to listen Roland Martin's November 11th interview with Colin Powell on TJMS.

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Thank You Mr. Powell for saying what a lot of us have been feeling, "take your time Mr. President". Everyone knows that this is a very difficult decision that needs to be made and rushing into anything never resolved issues in a quick matter. Please do not let these "talking heads" talk/push you into something that you or the country would be uncomfortable with. They do not and never will have your or our best interest in their hearts especially when they are speaking their empty hurtful words..

by   
Henri421
November 11, 2009, 7:45 pm
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Colin Powell made several good points
1.You can’t guarantee success in a very complex theater like Afghanistan
2.what kind of base is he putting this new strategy on, because it isn’t just what we do…what do the Afghan’s do
3. the unstable situation along the Pakistan border and in Pakistan
4. this is the decision that will have consequences for the better part of his administration.

Take your time Mister President

by   
RaaSaa
November 11, 2009, 2:45 pm
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Glad to see that Obama has the good sense to tap into Colin Powell 's experience in the matter of the Afghanistan conflict. I don't envy him that decision. Whatever way he decides, he won't be able to please everyone.

by   
Jacquelynn4
November 11, 2009, 2:39 pm
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I'm happy someone said it, because they tryna rush President Obama into doing everything listen Mr President your what we voted in and i still support you 200%

by   
Ann38
November 11, 2009, 2:18 pm
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