John Sununu, a top advisor to Mitt Romney, is facing criticism for saying that former Army General and Secretary of State
Colin Powell endorsed President Barack Obama because of race.
Colin Powell endorsed President Barack Obama because of race.
"Frankly, when you take a look at Colin Powell, you have to wonder whether that's an endorsement based on issues or whether he's got a slightly different reason for preferring President Obama," Sununu said on CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight.
When asked what that reason would be, Sununu said it was race.
"Well, I think when you have somebody of your own race that you're proud of being president of the United States, I applaud Colin for standing with him," Sununu replied.
Soon after the response, "John Sununu" began trending on Twitter, with most responses criticizing the former governor of New Hampshire for his response.
Hampshire for his response.
"If John Sununu thinks Colin Powell endorsed Obama because of he is black, is it fair to assume Sununu endorsed Romney because he is white?," tweeted @WillMcAvoyACN, a parody account of the popular character from HBO's The Newsroom.
Touré , the co-host of MSNBC's The Cycle, tweeted, "John Sununu supports Romney. Is this because he wants to see a President of his own race? Why's it sound absurd that way but not for Blacks?"
And comedian Eugene Mirman also weighed in.
"Criticize John Sununu all you want, but the same thing was said about Wesley Clark's racially motivated endorsement of Kerry in 2004," he tweeted.
After the backlash, Sununu took back his statement.
"Colin Powell is a friend and I respect the endorsement decision he made and I do not doubt that it was based on anything but his support of the president's policies," Sununu said, according to Politico. "Piers Morgan's question was whether Colin Powell should leave the party, and I don't think he should."
This is not the first time Sununu has been criticized for allegedly racist remarks this election season.
On Oct. 3, Sununu appeared on MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports to discuss the first presidential debate between Obama and Romney.
When asked about the president's much-derided performance, Sununu said the president was "lazy."
, Sununu said the president was "lazy."
Mitchell asked if he would like to take back the comment, but Sununu refused and reiterated his comment.
"[Obama] didn't want to prepare for this debate. He is lazy and disengaged," Sununu said.
Later that day on Fox News, Sununu was asked if he thought the president would give a better performance in the second debate.
"When you're not that bright, you can't get better prepared," Sununu said.
And in July, Sununu was criticized for telling reporters, "I wish this president would learn how to be an American."
He apologized for those remarks, as well.
"Frankly, I made a mistake. I shouldn't have used those words, and I apologize for using those words," he said on CNN.
Sununu serves as the co-chair of Romney's campaign.
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