MyDD :: UPDATEDx2: Colin Powell Endorsement? Fox Reacts

UPDATEDx2: Colin Powell Endorsement? Fox Reacts

by brit, Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 11:11:13 AM EST

Crossposted at The Motley Moose

Quick news diary: I have no idea how connected Lawrence O'Connell is, but on the Huffington Post he's suggesting Colin Powell will endorse Obama after tonight's debate

It now seems beyond doubt that Colin Powell will endorse Barack Obama and thereby hammer the final nail in the coffin of the Republican campaign to hold onto the White House.

O'Connell goes on to say:

The recent ugliness of the McCain-Palin rally audiences cannot be lost on Colin Powell. And Powell is not one to ignore a 14 point lead in a New York Times poll. But most important for Powell and the press will be his explicit rejection of the Bush-McCain approach to Iraq, Iran and the rest of the world.

Powell's endorsement will be perfectly timed to dominate a news cycle or two. It will give Obama the one thing he still needs more of--credibility as Commander-In-Chief. And Sarah Palin's speechwriters will be hard pressed to come up with a condescending quip about it.

A Powell endorsement would certainly shoot down one of McCain's only remaining leads - in national security. A friend of mine who worked as a White House fellow said that even back in 2001, Powell would joke about himself being the 'only Liberal in the cabinet.'

To my mind, Powell has nothing to lose by endorsing a candidate, and that Obama would be his choice.

Update [2008-10-15 23:48:18 by brit]: I just had to share this bigoted, unpatriotic, should I say treacherous remark from Fox News about an endorsement

Colin Powell showed off his hip-hop moves at an 'Africa Rising' celebration in London Tuesday, fueling speculation that the former secretary of state is about to endorse Barack Obama for president.

Whatever Powell's failings as a Politician, he doesn't deserve this kind of stuff. And neither does Obama

Tags: Colin Powell, Barack Obama, Huffington Post (all tags)

Permalink :: 51 Comments :: Post a Comment

Tips for a Powell Endorsement? (2.00 / 1)

As ReaperObot0 comments elsewhere, Powell is perhaps the only member of Bush's government who could ever be rehabilitated. He screwed up big time, like Blair. But unlike Blair he has at least apologised for deceiving the UN

Now Loose on the Moose

by brit on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 11:15:32 AM EST

Re: Tips for a Powell Endorsement? (2.00 / 1)

I would also add Christine Todd-Whitman to that list

Conservatism is nothing but a bad laissez-fairey tale

by neko608 on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 11:18:31 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tips for a Powell Endorsement? (2.00 / 1)

no way. she fucking sucks. she said straight to our faces after 9/11 that nothing was wrong with the air. she LIED and she knew it wasn't safe. we all went about our business because she told us it was ok. she is a spineless hack with no morals.

by bluedavid on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 11:54:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tips for a Powell Endorsement? (none / 0)

Don't hold your breath waitng for Phoney Tony to ever apologize or admit any wrong doing about anything.What a truly bad guy.

by Lodgemannered on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 11:46:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tips for a Powell Endorsement? (2.00 / 1)

I used to like Blair, too.

The funny thing is, when I've seen him in interviews, I get the impression that he's been so taken w/ bush, he genuinely believes he's done the right thing all along.

Which is more than I can say for those in our own government.

by geverend on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 12:27:06 PM EST
[ Parent ]

although that UN speech... (none / 0)

was a mistake, it didn't make any difference because it was in February, 2003. The vote to go to war was in October, 2002 and the Administration had decided to go to war in August, 2002. Powell was a voice of sanity in that Administration, who was smacked down by Cheney and Rumsfeld.

Obama would be honored by a Powell endorsement. I don't think it will get many votes but it might firm up some wobblies.

Comparing Powell to Blair doesn't make sense because Blair was a decision maker and Powell was not. The only thing Powell could do was resign and he knew that wouldn't make any difference - so he stayed and tried to slog it out. In Blair's defense, he maintained Britain's position as America's number one ally by sticking his neck out and taking a beating to support the US for a highly controversial move. Some on this side of the waters see that.

Our Moment Is Now

by mboehm on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 12:38:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

To be fair... (2.00 / 1)

...the administration had decided to go to war in Iraq on November 5, 2000.

The pebbles have voted and the avalanche has begun.

President-Elect "That One"

by Dracomicron on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 03:15:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: although that UN speech... (none / 0)

...whereas Colin Powell has pretty much no pull at all among actual Wobblies! ;)

by Balloonz on Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 12:29:26 AM EST
[ Parent ]

When did he grow a spine? (2.00 / 2)

Don't know how he could possibly rehabilitate his cred. The man has acted like a coward again and again

But I don't see any downside.

I might be crazy... but are you seeing what I'm seeing?

by mydailydrunk on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 11:16:17 AM EST

Re: When did he grow a spine? (2.00 / 2)

Dude, His cred is only shit with some (maybe a slight majority) in the Blogosphere and some others very far left. The rest of the country still loves the guy. His favorables are still WAY high (higher than McCain and Obama) and he is still well loved and respected. It seems a lot of people feel he was lied to as well about Iraq and did not know he was selling a lie.

http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!

by yitbos96bb on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 12:33:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: When did he grow a spine? (none / 0)

It is hard to imagine that people can believe that he was duped. According to US News and World Report at the time, while he was being prepped for the UN speach he supposedly threw the papers up in the air and said "I can't say this, this is bullshit!"

by Bri on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 12:59:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: When did he grow a spine? (2.00 / 1)

I think the majority of folks in the country are not aware of this outburst. Even if they are, it's not clear that he disagreed with EVERYTHING the administration was asking him to say. Frankly, I think most people in the country were with Powell at that time--they didn't buy everything Bush was saying, but they felt it was appropriate to err on the side of caution. I WASN'T one of those people, but I think the argument that he has a lot of support among the populace is valid.

by slynch on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 07:08:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: When did he grow a spine? (none / 0)

to follow up, look at it this way--if there are some people sitting on the fence between McCain and Obama, Powell's endorsement could be very powerful. It says, look, I was part of this administration, and I am admitting I was wrong in some of what I said/did. It would make a lot of folks comfortable with voting for a Democrat.

by slynch on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 07:10:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Skeptical (2.00 / 1)

Powell has plenty to lose - namely, any future he might have in his (admittedly damaged) party of choice. I'm also skeptical that O'Donnell has any sources for this, as it seems mainly to be a wish piece. That said, while I think Powell is basically a fraud and should be considered a non-entity, there's little question his endorsement would be a huge boon to Obama - possibly the final nail in the coffin indeed.

by Deeg on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 11:20:06 AM EST

Re: Skeptical (2.00 / 2)

Powell is not a fraud. What a really stupid thing to say.

He is also not a politician. Which is why he never ran for office.

By his own admission, his voting record is more independent than either GOP or Dem... he does not vote lockstep GOP.

http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!

by yitbos96bb on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 12:35:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

flag officers are politicians who wear uniforms (none / 0)

Flag officers=generals and admirals

Rrrinnggg... Time to change the government.

by Carl Nyberg on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 05:11:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: flag officers are politicians (2.00 / 1)

you're right that flag officers are generals and admirals, but you're wrong that they're politicians in military uniforms. I've known many generals; military is first on their minds, not politics.

by slynch on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 07:04:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: There were (none / 0)

statements in the speech based on the forged yellowcake documents, which were suspect even then. So I think Powell knowingly lied in that instance. However, his aide-de-camp Lawrence Wilkerson has stated that Powell did not know how questionable some of the other intelligence was.

by half nelson on Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 01:27:18 AM EST
[ Parent ]

We do not want a liar's endorsement (none / 0)

His culpability in the Iraq war is right up there with Bush and Cheney. No need for this lying man's endorsement- he has no credibility.

by ann0nymous on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 11:47:33 AM EST

Re: We do not want a liar's endorsement (none / 0)

Except he was lied to by the Bushies.... He was given the info as fact and asked to present it. He regrets it. They screwed him over, so learn your freaking history before spewing your ignorance.

http://www.imvotingrepublican.com/ McCain Sucks!

by yitbos96bb on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 12:36:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Most people think he lied (none / 0)

From US News and World Report

6/1/03
On the evening of February 1, two dozen American officials gathered in a spacious conference room at the Central Intelligence Agency in Langley, Va. The time had come to make the public case for war against Iraq. For six hours that Saturday, the men and women of the Bush administration argued about what Secretary of State Colin Powell should--and should not--say at the United Nations Security Council four days later. Not all the secret intelligence about Saddam Hussein's misdeeds, they found, stood up to close scrutiny. At one point during the rehearsal, Powell tossed several pages in the air. "I'm not reading this," he declared. "This is bulls- - -."

by Bri on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 01:04:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

This is how rumors spread (2.00 / 2)

The huffington post thing seems to be purely speculation by the person who wrote it; it isn't backed up by anything.

If you go by Powell's past behavior, you can only conclude that he's always been a Republican when it came down to it. Maybe it's his military background, but he is unable to break from the Republicans, even if he sometimes shows signs.

I mean, the guy maxed out donating to McCain in the primaries..

I really don't think it's going to happen, and there's no evidence.

It reminds me of the "Gore to endorse Obama!" stuff from the primaries.

by Frank on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 12:20:31 PM EST

Re: This is how rumors spread (none / 0)

But Gore did endorse Obama quite spectacularly in the final phase.

And we're in the final phase now.

Could be speculation. But maybe informed speculation.

Now Loose on the Moose

by brit on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 12:57:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: This is how rumors spread (none / 0)

that's sort of disingenuous, wouldn't you say? Folks were saying he'd endorse Obama during the primary. He didn't, did he? It was after it was clear that Obama won.

by slynch on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 07:17:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: This is how rumors spread (none / 0)

No, I wouldn't say it was disingenuous. Gore endorsed well before the convention, and showed lots of enthusiasm. It was clear where his loyalties lay, and I've little doubt he made this known to the Hillary campaign before she 'suspended' her campaign.

Time is running out for Powell. There's less than three weeks left. It's not primary season

Now Loose on the Moose

by brit on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 07:47:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: BREAKING: Colin Powell Ready to Endorse Obama? (none / 0)

I still really hope it's an anti-endorsement, where Powell says that he can't vote for McCain, and then just attacks McCain on the news from here till election day.

An actual endorsement might not move many people, plus it'll rile up all the Republicans to say "oh, he's just doing it for racial reasons".

by barath on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 12:40:28 PM EST

Riling republicans? (2.00 / 3)

Isn't that our job? Our joy? Our thanksgiving?

Anyway, it's as bad NOT to endorse someone because you're scared of it being seen to be 'for racial reasons' as doing it.

I'm sick of the identity politics of it all.

When will people get over this bullshit, and assess a person on the content of his or her character.

Now Loose on the Moose

by brit on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 12:59:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Riling republicans? (none / 0)

While I agree with you, that's not my point.

The issue is we have to ask "who is it that cares about Colin Powell?"

Well, it's not the left, after his UN performance.

It's moderate Republicans who still respect him from his Gulf War days. To win those folks over we need to make sure that his endorsement still "counts" in their minds. Fox tells them what to think. So the key is for Colin Powell to talk about how McCain hasn't sold him, and how McCain is doing things wrong, etc. And eventually, if Powell "concludes" that McCain is no good, it'll look like he gave him a fair shot and Powell might take some moderate GOPers with him.

by barath on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 05:38:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Disagree (none / 0)

Your answer is full of assumptions. Only moderate republicans respect him (I think some democrats do too). Moderate republicans are told what to think by Fox News (I might as well say the left is told what to think by Kos).

But in the end our conclusion is the same. It would be good for Obama if Powell switches camp and supports him.

Argument. End of.

Now Loose on the Moose

by brit on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 05:54:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Disagree (none / 0)

I disagree with some of your argument--frankly, you're being too dismissive of b's position. Moderate Republicans, while they may watch SOME of Fox News, are not diehard Fox News fans. They're just as likely to watch cnn or msnbc.

by slynch on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 07:37:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You're not disagreeing with my argument at all (none / 0)

You're affirming it. I was making exactly the same point - all moderate republicans AREN'T told what to think by Fox News.

Jeez. If you want to argue with someone, just make sure they disagree with you first

Now Loose on the Moose

by brit on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 07:49:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: You're not disagreeing with my argument at all (none / 0)

um, you said that, and I quote: "Moderate Republicans are told what to think by Fox News."

I disagreed with that.

Before being sarcastic, try reading your own post.

by slynch on Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 04:42:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: You're not disagreeing with my argument at all (none / 0)

Pathetic. I was repeating the assumptions I was disputing. Try understanding language

Now Loose on the Moose

by brit on Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 09:08:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: You're not disagreeing with my argument at all (none / 0)

I think it's you that needs to learn to understand the language. When you repeat others' words, you should quote them. Otherwise, it seems that they are your own words. Frankly, it isn't clear exactly what you were arguing.

by slynch on Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 09:30:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

500,000 protesters on the streets of Washington (2.00 / 2)

including myself knew back in February of 2003 that there was little justification for the Iraq war. Being "misled" by the Bush administration will never be an excuse.

Having said that, Powell's efforts to distance himself from the administration does count, as will his endorsement.

It is not because I cannot explain that you won't understand. It is because you won't understand that I cannot explain. - Elie Wiesel

by Sumo Vita on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 01:49:57 PM EST

Re: BREAKING: Colin Powell Ready to Endorse Obama? (2.00 / 1)

This is at least the second time this year the HuffingtonPost has claimed this, with no real source.

The first time it was false.

The second time.....

I'm not saying it can't happen, but just recognize that the Huffington Post does not have high journalistic standards on rumors. Right now with no credible new organization to back them up, thats what they are posting, a rumor.

by njc2b5 on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 01:50:13 PM EST

Re: BREAKING: Colin Powell Ready to Endorse Obama? (none / 0)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/13 /bill-kristol-colin-powell_n_118767.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/13 /brzezinksi-i-expect-powel_n_118775.html

Some previous HuffPost examples. In some cases there where articles written, so that was my mistake. Overall though, I recommend not jumping the gun on this one.

by njc2b5 on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 01:53:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Don't think it will matter much at all... (2.00 / 1)

Leftists will always see Powell as a sell-out and a Bush toady, and righties will shrug it off with "what did you expect? -- it's just a 'racial solidarity' gesture."

by JDWalley on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 04:04:54 PM EST

Re: BREAKING: Colin Powell Ready to Endorse Obama? (2.00 / 3)

A few months back ,Powell was on with Wolf Blitzer,When Blitzer asked hik who he would support for President,he didn't give a direct answer but amongst other things he said:

" I will ultimately vote for the person I believe brings to the American people the kind of vision the American people want to see for the next four years. A vision that reaches out to the rest of the world, that starts to restore confidence in America, that starts to restore favorable ratings to America.

Frankly, we've lost a lot in recent years. I am going to be looking for the candidate that seems to me to be leading a party that is fully in sync with the candidate, and a party that will also reflect America's goodness and America's vision. And I will be looking for the candidate that I think will be the most competent candidate. The one who can deal with problems and bring the government together with the Congress to solve these problems."

Nothing in the above statements remotely describes McCain or anything about him,so I would say ,based upon those comments coupled the report on the Huffington Post,that if he intends on making a public endorsement of anyone, it would be Obama. I'm pretty sure thats who he had in mind anyway, when he made those comments to Blitzer back in the summer

by Lodgemannered on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 04:18:47 PM EST

BREAKING: Speculators continue to speculate (2.00 / 1)

This has been the speculation for a long time. Maybe the headline should be "Speculation about Colin Powell continues unabated"

Conduct your own interview of Sarah Palin!

by fwiffo3 on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 04:52:30 PM EST

Endgame (2.00 / 1)

This would be it.

by Thaddeus on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 04:57:07 PM EST

does Colin Powell want the media to (2.00 / 1)

discuss his performance at the United Nations?

It seems likely to happen if he endorses.

Rrrinnggg... Time to change the government.

by Carl Nyberg on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 05:07:23 PM EST

It seems completely unlikely (2.00 / 1)

CNN does a mild piece on Palin and AIP, and it gets pulled. We've been discussing this stuff on the blogosphere for months.

Here's the disconnect. For us, here, a Powell endorsement might seem like a golden shower of piss. But for the bigger wider world, it would be major. And if it helps Obama, and neutralises McCain's one last claim to competence - national security - I'm all for it.

Sorry. The theological parsing of cardinal and venal sins among kossacks and MYDDers means nothing compared to the authority this guy brings with the mass of voters.

Now Loose on the Moose

by brit on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 05:21:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Colin Powell Ready to Endorse Obama? (none / 0)

Colin Powell just recently got back from Alaska where he stood up for Ted Stevens at his corruption trial.
I think you're expecting that he has influence with voters that no longer exists or is greatly diminished (except perhaps with the men who served under him).
As others have commented, the right wingers will merely say he's doing it because Obama is black, and most Democrats won't care.

"Who are you for? That is the wrong question. It should be who is for you?" HRC

by skohayes on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 07:31:57 PM EST

Re: Colin Powell Ready to Endorse Obama? (none / 0)

I'm not saying he has inordinate influence with voters at all. What I am saying it that he, probably more than anyone, could shoot McCain's national security fox.

For that reason, I bet the Obama campaign is courting him

Now Loose on the Moose

by brit on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 07:51:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Colin Powell is the same guy (2.00 / 1)

who pitched for Bush at the 2000 Republican National Convention. Powell also helped us into Iraq. We do we laud him anymore than Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney? He could have resigned if he felt so bad about Iraq. It woulda helped kill the PR movement for the war too. And what did he do? He helped Bush get "re"-elected in 2004. He also stopped Bill Clinton from allowing gays into the military in 1993. Powell is nothing but glorified trash.

by Lakrosse on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 09:44:00 PM EST

Re: Colin Powell is the same guy (2.00 / 1)

Please explain difference between glorified trash and trash.

Whatever you may think and however much you may not like it a Colin Powell endorsement would put Obama over the top. He is still a very respected figure in America. Don't let your dislike for the man-which I can understand and aspects of which I share (his speech before the UN was a low point in American foreign policy) blind you to reality.

by obama4presidente on Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 11:56:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Colin Powell Endorsement? Fox Reacts (2.00 / 1)

Colin Powell is a washed up has been who did nothing when he knew Bush was lying about the war. Nothing but go along with it. His endorsement doesn't impress me. Why all the fuss is being made about it, is beyond me. He should stay with the Republicans where he belongs.

by Scotch on Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 01:11:45 AM EST

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