Powell's Obama Endorsement Sparks Reaction: "Nail In The Coffin" For McCain

Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama reverberated throughout the world of politics, with lawmakers and pundits across the political spectrum declaring it a huge boost for the Democratic contender.

Former Republican Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich told ABC News, "What that just did in one sound bite... is it eliminated the experience argument."

On the stump today, Joe Biden celebrated the endorsement telling an 11,500-strong rally in Tacoma, Washington that it should put to rest any questions about Obama's readiness to be commander in chief.

"Today we're proud, and I mean this sincerely, very proud to add another critical voice in American public policy and military affairs for the past 25 years to the endormsent list of those who have joined endorsing our ticket, Colin Powell!. Thank you, Colin!"

David Gergen, longtime aide to both Republican and Democratic presidents, called it "the most important endorsement of the campaign."

And an unnamed GOP official told Politico: "This Powell endorsement is the nail in the coffin," said one Republican official, speaking anonymously to offer candid thoughts about the party's nominee. "Not just because of him, but the indictment he laid out of the McCain campaign."

Even Kevin Madden, the telegenic former spokesman for Mitt Romney who's hit the airwaves to support McCain, said:

Endorsements tend to reaffirm what voters already know or like (or dislike) about a candidate's personal and ideological attributes. But the endorsement of Colin Powell is significant because of its timing and the message it sends to swing Democrats and independents... His endorsement is aimed at easing those doubts about Obama's readiness and experience right at the time voters are making their decision on whom they will support on Election Day.

And Norman J. Orenstein, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, told Politico:

A Powell endorsement now is a huge step to close that sale, to make Obama seem even safer and more attractive as a president.

Susan Eisenhower, the formerly Republican granddaughter of President Eisenhower, who was busy stumping for Obama in southwest Florida today said, "I'd like to associate myself with all the points he made."

But the McCain campaign dismissed the endorsement, with a spokesperson telling WWAY: "John McCain has been endorsed by more than 300 retired generals and admirals. That's over 10 times more than what Senator Obama has received."

Comments

[Oilwellian]

I made a video using Powell's interview:

Colin Powell: Country First
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=243gXtXtEwc

[Salon]

I can't believe Colin Powell and Bob Marley are from the same country. If Marley, given the opportunity, had endorsed BO I might have listened. Powell needs to just get back on the "lecture" circuit teet and keep his lame endorsements to himself. Where was he when BO could have used him during his 'by the skin of his teeth' victory over Hillary?
Whose judgement is worse? Powells for waiting 2 weeks before the election to endorse? or BO's for accepting such a lame a-s, meaningless endorsement?

[johjac]

WoW! Bitter much?

[pjburns11]

Powell is trying to save his own bacon.. Just like Adelman and McConnell.

http://thetruthburns.wordpress.com/2008/10/20/wheres-powell-been-oh-thats-right-in-hiding/

[L0ve PEace]

I have always liked Colin Powell and had a lot of respect for him. Even when he did what I thought was “cowtowing” to Bush in accepting the nomination for Sec. of State. But I forgot and forgave thinking he must think that he could make more of a difference as SOS even though I might be the “token”. But, when he got in front of the UN and held up those pictures of WMD that were not pictures of WMD I then lost respect for the man. Now my current dilemma… does his support of Obama make up for the UN speech? I’ll still have to think about that one.

If two wrongs don't make a right, try three.-- The Nixon principle

[ElBruce]

It's far more important how Powell articulated his reasoning than the mere fact of his endorsement. That interview where he lays it all out needs to go viral. It's the most succinct and clear reasoning I've seen for why people need to vote for Obama, as well as why they need to vote against McCain.

[KingofChing]

When the General had a chance to come-up big? He didn't. Who cares about his endorsement! Obama dosen't need him anyway.

[izAriver]

"But the McCain campaign dismissed the endorsement, with a spokesperson telling WWAY: ["John McCain has been endorsed by more than 300 retired generals and admirals. That's over 10 times more than what Senator Obama has received."­]"

Were any of them Colin Powell or for that matter Wesley Clark?

[lbjranch]

I listened to Gen. Powell very closely in is presentation to the U.N. about WMD being in Iraq. I said to myself "ok if Powell says they have WMD then we need to do something about it."

I kind of stopped paying attention to him since.

Maybe he didn't lie and they did have WMD and they just haven't been found yet....but it's been a long time.

The only thing I'll pay attention to from Powell on from now on is the Powell Doctrine. That's it.

[Jidge]

But is this going to help Barack? Powell didn't exactly cover himself with glory as SoS.

[MossyOak]

Perhaps Powell waited to see which way the wind was blowing before jumping on the boat.

[FTracy3]

Powell has also endorsed Alaska Senator Ted Stevens (well, he's testified at his corrup[tion trial, calling his character "sterling"). So either Stevens is innocent or Powell's judgment is questionable.

[Gib]

Good point, I'd forgotten about that. I think more than anything Powell just wants to get back into the limelight.

[archtoplee]

Who are you kidding? Remember it was Colin Powel who was fooled by the Bush team into accepting the lies about the WMD's It was Powel who told Brokaw that either one- McCain or Obama would be fine presidents. Here's the quote:
"We've got two individuals, either one of them could be a good president,"
So Gen. Powel is happy with either one. The question is why? Did Colin base his decision to endorse Obama on charm? Basically that was the answer given for public consumption. Obama has more charm than McCain. Who could disagree with him on that? Maybe it has nothing to do with charm and more to do with something else. After all,Powell said either one would suit him. Since all three belong to an exclusive foreign interventioners club maybe that will provide a clue?

One of those foreign interventioners club members, Obama foreign policy adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski, advised John McCain on foreign policy when McCain ran for president in 2000. Brzezinski is a member of the internatio­nalist-min­ded Council on Foreign Relations — as is McCain. Brzezinski was Democrat Jimmy Carter's national security adviser, and Powell, who has now endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president, was national security adviser and secretary of state under Republican presidents. It's just musical chairs with no real shift way from carrying on a failed foreign policy. Obama won't change a darn thing - the war will continue.

[johnqeniac]

I may indeed end up voting Nader in California, but it's an unbelievably hard sell to claim that there would be no difference between the policies of Obama and McCain. Certainly in foreign policy. Obama's sane. McCain ain't. That alone is a huge difference.

[DrDemon]

A nader vote is a wasted vote IMO.

[Nomccain]

hehehehehehe It'ss hilarious to watch the neocons here reach deep to find an intelligent reason why Colin Powell endorsed the best candidate.­....Obama! He knows what a bunch of hooligans,­warmongers and liars the Republicans have become and how they threw him under the bus after they lied to him about Iraq and WMD's. He also knows what a loose cannon McSame is and wasn't willing to endorse him for that reason as well as his smear campaign. The old man is through and might as well go back to Arizona with his neocon friends.

[Bigeasy]

Its what you call reaching at straws !!!

[archtoplee]

Neocon? I don't like McCain either. You missed the entire point of my commentary. There is zip difference between Obama and McCain. Not on foreign policy and not on domestic policy. Obama / McCain went to Washington to help the Wall Street bankers steal your money. McCain said something stupid about keeping our troops in Iraq for 50 to 100 years. Obama is backtracking and now he's ok with troops in Afghanistan for who knows how long, and a slow withdrawal from Iraq. If Senator Obama would just say publicly, ( just like Ron Paul said over and over) : "we marched in, we can march out." Paul said this over the jeers of booing Repubs. He would say that he would bring troops home ASAP from not only Iraq but from around the world. Now that was gutsy and clear! Obama is not going to be that clear because it doesn't fit the CFR formula for the world. The man is steeped in the CFR policy of interventionism- He won't change it. The rhetoric notwithstanding. Flame all you want against NeoCons, But I am not one! The Neocons and the liberals have more in common with each other than they pretend otherwise. Why not try measuring a politican worth using the Constitution as a guide instead of emotion?

[laocoon]

I think it has become nearly impossible for someone to be the nominee of a major party without being minimally acceptable to certain powers and interests. While there is much in what you say there still are differences that could prove decisive. but yeah everyone who gets to run must be acceptable or else and therefore their discretion is limited and compromised. I think this has been true at least since JFK.

[DrDemon]

"Why not try measuring a politican worth using the Constitution as a guide instead of emotion?"

OK, I hear ya!

I am now voting for the:

"Constitutional Law Professor" - Barak Obama!

O in 08'

[wwoody]

McCain is sick, he is sicker then he want the public to believe, plus he is 72 year old and failing health.

[Greg285]

Those 200 plus Generals and Admirals do not matter but those individuals do not carry the weight that Colin Powell's endorsement carriers because Colin Powell is recognized and respected worldwide. Those 200 plus Generals and Admirals? The wish their option carried weight, but it doesn’t….

[bwaynester]

colin powell's performance was so thoughtful and powerful, it truly brought tears to my eyes. anyone who listened to him speak on sunday had to feel the same way. the media did not report on the STRENGTH of his endorsement. historic and beauiful