Colin Powell Reportedly To Endorse Obama On Meet The Press 10/19

Some potentially more very bad news for the McPalin train wreck. There are many reports that Colin Powell will endorse Sen. Obama this Sunday on Meet The Press.

This would be another great step forward for Obama and perhaps the final nail in McCain's coffin.

Comments?

Powell may endorse Obama in TV interview

General Colin Powell, the former Secretary of State, is preparing for a live TV interview tomorrow amid intense speculation that he is ready to endorse Barack Obama’s campaign.

Aides from John McCain’s camp are bracing themselves for another damaging blow, with one being quoted yesterday as suggesting that such an announcement from General Powell would be “personally embarrassing” for the Republican nominee – with whom the General has been friends for 25 years – and would “create momentum against us”.

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Powell may endorse Obama in TV interview - Times Online

He might also endorse McCain (which would cause me a complete lack of respect for Powell), so perhaps don't count chickens is appropo

Summerwind said:

He might also endorse McCain (which would cause me a complete lack of respect for Powell), so perhaps don't count chickens is appropo

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There are multiple reports that stater that he's endorsing Obama. Plus, logically wouldn't Powell go on Faux News to if he wanted to endorse McCain?

Don't you also think that he wants to rebuild his image after his disastrous 4 years in the Bush Administration.

Family Guy said:

There are multiple reports that stater that he's endorsing Obama. Plus, logically wouldn't Powell go on Faux News to if he wanted to endorse McCain?

Don't you also think that he wants to rebuild his image after his disastrous 4 years in the Bush Administration.

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I certainly hope that's the case but who's to say till he does it. Also it could be for an altogether different matter. That's the beauty of being Colin Powell, you have so much clout, you can ask to be presented without presenting what it is you have to say. I sure hope he is as wise as I think he is.

It only makes sense that Powell, a man of honor and class, would endorse Obama. Especially after the way Bush and Cheney set him up for his talk to convince the UN to support Bush and Cheney's private, selfish war.

McCain has 19 days until he slides down the biggest landslide since Mt. Saint Helens blew! :2wave:

I think Powell and anybody who ran the Botulinum Toxin freight train end around double reverse for George W. Bush, is damaged goods.

I REALLY liked Powell for President, until he showed his unbelievably poor judgment in holding the projector that would ultimately tell the PowerPoint graphics arts lies about mobile WMD stations being drafted by Saddam between the early 90's the the 02' NIE on Iraq. Powell, should have simply resigned his position. That would have provided him with enormous leverage.

Imagine the race today, folks. Obama on the Democratic Ticket and Powell on the Republican Ticket. Powell, obviously would have run as a moderate Republican and I think that might have served him very well. As a side note, the media frenzy over two African American men doing battle for the White House, would have been off the charts nutz!

I like Powell, but the President has to have beyond the horizon vision and demonstrate discernment when people are asking you to do things that just don't feel right at the time you are being pressed. He failed that test, IMO.

I wish it were not true, but it is. How this helps Obama, I will never know. If somebody could detail an explanation for me, I'd really appreciate it.

Again, I really like Powell, but I really dislike his level of situational awareness and discernment. To this day, it blows my mind, that he did not resign. His political currency today wold have been off the charts, had he done that. Not to mention his own personal integrity quotient.

Meh, not much here; helped getting us in Iraq, sorry Colin, you was looking pretty good until you touched that tar baby.

Summerwind said:

He might also endorse McCain (which would cause me a complete lack of respect for Powell), so perhaps don't count chickens is appropo

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Family Guy said:

Don't you also think that he wants to rebuild his image after his disastrous 4 years in the Bush Administration.

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ADK_Forever said:

It only makes sense that Powell, a man of honor and class, would endorse Obama.

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Yea, Colin Powell is definitely a man of great wisdom, integrity, honor and class. Unless of course he happens to endorse McCain, in which case he's a scumbag and Bu$hnevik of the highest order, right?

Crap like that is no better than Republicans who would turn around tomorrow and call Powell a moron if he does end up endorsing Obama.

The way I see it:

A Powell Endorsement of Obama would help Obama but probably not a lot. I don't think the fence sitters would make up their minds based on Powell....and the weak McCain supporters are not likely to be swayed by Powell.

On the other hand, a Powell Endorsement of McCain, I think would help McCain a great deal. Again, not with the fence sitters, but the weaker Obama supporters might give Powell a little more sway.

Personally, I think if Powell endorse anybody it will be Obama, because I have heard Powell talk about Obama in the past and while short of an endorsement, it certainly sounded like one. However, I am holding my breath, because IF Powell were to endorse McCain, I think McCain might gain some momentum, at least enough to make it a real race.

RightinNYC said:

Yea, Colin Powell is definitely a man of great wisdom, integrity, honor and class. Unless of course he happens to endorse McCain, in which case he's a scumbag and Bu$hnevik of the highest order, right?

Crap like that is no better than Republicans who would turn around tomorrow and call Powell a moron if he does end up endorsing Obama.

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Valid point, but as pointed out, he has diminished his integrity while he was in office and since he was in office (by remaining silent); so what he does next is sort of akin to breaking a tie. Clearly if he decides in what I consider an irresponsible manner, . . .well . . .

Funny I though Powell said he was going to stay out of this race.

Pilots For 911 Truth said:

How this helps Obama, I will never know. If somebody could detail an explanation for me, I'd really appreciate it.

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Secretary Powell still enjoys enormous favorable ratings. He commands strong respect among moderate republican voters. If he endorses Senator Obama--and it remains to be seen whether that will happen--his endorsement would signal to those voters that it is "all right" to support Senator Obama. It is all right for moderate republicans to cross the partisan divide at a time the nation is looking for a leader who can transcend those divisions so as to help ensure that the nation's people continue to enjoy real prospects for improving their lives and opportunities.

At the same time, such an endorsement would demolish any remaining concerns that Senator Obama is a "risk" when it comes to national security policy. Secretary Powell's is no dove when it comes to national security issues. His endorsement would essentially deprive the McCain campaign of perhaps its single most potent remaining argument.

Finally, such an endorsement would reaffirm Senator Obama's ability to work with republicans and bolster his attempt to position himself as a post-partisan candidate at a time the nation is deeply divided. Throughout the campaign, he has had a number of republicans e.g., two former chairmen of the SEC, etc., at pivotal economic meetings e.g., his mini-economic summit in August. He has regularly been consulting both Secretary Paulson and Fed Chairman Bernanke well before the financial crisis erupted in September. In contrast, aside from Senator Joe Lieberman, the McCain campaign has only been able to argue that the Arizona senator knows how to work across the aisle. There is a difference between doing something and saying it.

You mean a black man is going to vote for the black candidate?

When does that ever happen?

RightinNYC said:

Yea, Colin Powell is definitely a man of great wisdom, integrity, honor and class. Unless of course he happens to endorse McCain, in which case he's a scumbag and Bu$hnevik of the highest order, right?

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My opinion of Powell is not effected by who he endorses.

I agree, he is damaged goods but, not because he was the talking point to convince others to support invading an innocent country (as he was duped also!) but, because after he found out the truth he didn't stand up to dubya and resign. He is one of those military guys who take that loyalty thing to a fault.

I think he'll bring some Repubs over but, not many fence sitters. Net result will be negligible because he probably isn't willing to actively promote Obama, just say he supports him. He is unwilling to accept that he could carry some weight in helping this country, even outside this race. He simply wants nothing to do with politics again.

I'm hoping he writes a nice tell all book after dubya is kicked to the curb.

sazerac said:

You mean a black man is going to vote for the black candidate?

When does that ever happen?

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A candidate's and voter's race does not ensure how a voter will cast his or her ballot. People of all races are capable of independent and broad-based judgment.

If Powell does in fact endorse Obama, how badly do you think the Republicans will turn on him? Will the race card be played against Powell? I just don't see him endorsing Obama, I'll be shocked...and pleasantly suprised...if he does. I like Powell and always have. I don't like the way he backed Bush and kept quiet, but then again...soldiers do their job, and his job was to support the mission. He protested internally about misgivings, and I respect him for that, but when it came time to execute he did what good soldiers do...his job.

I don't think being mad at him over doing the job he trained all his adult life to do is a sound argument. It's like being mad at a grunt for going over and fighting in a war he didn't choose. The word "duty" comes to mind.

I respect Powell for doing his duty, even if I don't agree with the situation he was put in.

I'll keep my fingers crossed, but not hold my breath.

I do not think Powell endorsing Obama will have any effect what so ever.
Republicans and undecided voters will just see a black man endorsing the first 1/2 black candidate our Nation has ever had.

This is not the reason I personally believe Powell would make the endorsement.
But it will be the popular belief of those in the middle and on the right.

sazerac said:

You mean a black man is going to vote for the black candidate?

When does that ever happen?

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I suppose I asked my question a bit too late.

Lerxst said:

If Powell does in fact endorse Obama, how badly do you think the Republicans will turn on him? Will the race card be played against Powell?

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That is what will hurt McCain more, the way he turns on this respected man. And McCain will certainly do just that!

John1234 said:

I do not think Powell endorsing Obama will have any effect what so ever.
Republicans and undecided voters will just see a black man endorsing the first 1/2 black candidate our Nation has ever had.

This is not the reason I personally believe Powell would make the endorsement.
But it will be the popular belief of those in the middle and on the right.

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See I don't agree with you on this...for the most part. Powell is very well known as a Republican and a professional soldier. And he has been joked on for years as being "white." If Powell does endorse Obama, I think it will send shock waves through certain levels of the Republican Party.

I'll be curious as to what McCain will have to say....if anything. A well known, much respected Republican military man endorsing the liberal democratic nominee. Should be interesting.

disneydude said:

A Powell Endorsement of Obama would help Obama but probably not a lot. I don't think the fence sitters would make up their minds based on Powell....and the weak McCain supporters are not likely to be swayed by Powell.

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On the other hand, it might very well be enough to get me to go out and vote. Wouldn't make a difference anyway... but it'd be a tremendous difference to me.

donsutherland1 said:

A candidate's and voter's race does not ensure how a voter will cast his or her ballot. People of all races are capable of independent and broad-based judgment.

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I'm from New Orleans. You're wrong.

Lerxst said:

If Powell does in fact endorse Obama, how badly do you think the Republicans will turn on him? Will the race card be played against Powell? <snip>

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I know this yokel being quoted below doesn't represent the entire republican party, but I believe it is ALREADY happening pre-emptive of Powell's appearance.

sazerac said:

You mean a black man is going to vote for the black candidate?

When does that ever happen?

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Lerxst said:

I suppose I asked my question a bit too late.

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And I responded to your late question a bit too early. :3oops: Timing is everything.

chevydriver1123 said:

Funny I though Powell said he was going to stay out of this race.

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People are allowed to change their affiliations (see scummy Lieberman for example).

I think Powell recognizes what a Black man elected President can do for the US and it's future. Just think how many young Black children will grow up truly believing they can become President?

One of the ways McCain is hurt by running against a Black candidate is that there will be a very high turnout of Black voters who want to tell their children and grandchildren that they voted for the first Black President.

I think if you're not Black it is hard to truly empathize with the positive buzz factor that Obama brings to the Black community especially for those over 50 who spent the early years of their lives facing an intense bigotry that cannot be understood unless one lived it.