Powell: 'I Want to Continue to Be a Republican Because It Annoys Them'

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who endorsed President Obama in 2008 and 2012, told the Washington Ideas Forum that there’s a special reason why he doesn’t change his party affiliation.

Powell confirmed that he’s still a registered Republican. “I want to continue to be a Republican because it annoys them,” he quipped.

“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 cited “pockets of intolerance” within the Republican Party that the GOP “had better figure out how to defeat.”

He also said that immigration rhetoric within the party is an Achilles’ heel.

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

“…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. Let’s see what happens.”