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

[concernvoter]

When Bush had a chance to listen to Colin Powell, he looked over his experiences as a military man and went along with VP Cheney and look where it left him. Bush mistreated Colin Powell. Wrong during will catch up with you. LOOK OUT MCCAIN!!! IT'S CATCHING UP WITH YOU ALSO.

[4Hope]

It's always a pleasure to hear Colin Powell speak. He is such an articulate, intelligent, thougthful man. His endorsement validated so much for so many. I've read his words over & over today.

I must comment on Tom Brokaw & Andrea Mitchell. I've been watching them for too many years & we are all about the same age - they can't hide their disappointment & their disdain.
It's a very sad thing to watch. Brokaw's eyes slant, his jaw clenches & his words are angry & combative - it was as disgraceful to watch him level all of that at Colin Powell as it was to watch him give the same treatment to Senator Obama.
Andrea Mitchell's usual calm delivery is overshadowed by her desperateness to defend the defenseless McCain (&/or Hillary). She way-too eagerly points out what she considers Obama's negatives & she ends up looking like a shill. Is she? Have we been wrong about these 2 reporters?
She was so quick to point out the millions that Senator Obama has raised - without mentioning the millions that McCain has raised & without noting that Senator Obama's financial edge is a clear indication of his popularity - nothing wrong with that, Andrea!
I appeal to these 2 veterans to check themselves. Their reputations are at stake.

[bwaynester]

your are correct. those two are behaving in a shamefully partisan manner evident to anyone who watched russert. they, like many in the media, are behind the curve, and will be left behind in the future, which is approaching very quickly

[omenapt]

especially poignant observance about Brokaw, but , hey, i too lately have also had eyes slanting , jaw clenched and combative , but from another angle of attack! Andrea Mitchell's interests should be self evident to anyone paying attention to her personal agenda, Nuff said on her !

[mervr1]

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."

Yeah, but none of them are named Colin Powell, and is the former head of the Joint Chiefs, Secretary of State and one of the most well known Republicans walking the face the earth.

Whatcha have now?

[jaslyn]

Knowing mcBush's pension for exageration, I'd say he probably has 3 LIVING generals endorsing him

[justfine]

Please, "penchant".

Good comment though.

[Darnamell]

Is he SERIOUSLY counting the Gen. McClellan reference by Palin an endorsement?

"My friends, General McClellan endorsed me via the empty mouthpiece of my running mate."

Umm, McCain, McClellan fought for the UNION side of the war and would not have much to do with your racist campaign.

[rwt1138]

This is, after all, a McCain spokesman making this claim. To quote Reagan, "Trust, but verify." So hey, anybody actually got a copy of that list, and, if so, has anyone actually contacted all the names on it to confirm that
a) they are actually still alive, and
b) really endorse John McCain?

John's had a little bit of trouble keeping his talk straight since the election started.

[VSamuels]

Generals Grant and Stonewall Jackson are childhood friends of McCain, we really can't take exception to their names being on this list!

[ndngrrl71]

Everything General Powell said is the same thing Ronald Reagan stated - "I didn't leave the Republican party; the Republican party left me".
The McCain/Palin ticket is going off in their own hatefilled campaign in an era that wont' tolerate it.
I refuse to have my child raised in a society led by people like McCain and Palin.

[Pulemerci]

Are you sure Powell is a Republican? When he was flirting with the idea of running for POTUS in the mid 90's, he wouldn't indicate which party he was registered at. He's well respected now? After he went to the UN to make the case for the Iraq invasion? Now he's the darling of the Dems and the Left. Please, if you could name one very liberal, white candidate, with little experience that he endorsed previously. Please, just one. It's not about race though. Just like the 97% of African Americans expected to vote for Obama.

[DumbDad]

You make your point, but you miss the fact that had it really been about race in a major way, Powell would have come out for Obama a lot sooner. No it's way less that Obama is not white than that he is not of the party that gave Powell the 'worst moment of [his] life'. THAT's the motive here, QUITE as he explained it.

[kathy001]

So, you make the assumption that Colin Powell endorsed Obama because both are black and that the blacks who are voting for Obama are only voting for him because he is black? How very white of you.

[Nan2008]

THIS TIME NEXT MONTH, we'll have a NEW PRESIDENT.­..Presiden­t Barack Obama, sound pretty darn GOOD TO ME.

[lissak]

President Barack Hussein Obama sounds pretty good to me too.

It's a great name. May God forgive those who try to use a man's name as a weapon against him.

[peggyleg]

President Barrack Hussein Obama sounds like a fairy tale, and it won't ever come true.

[madeline2]

Once again like I said... as if this a big shock that Powell endorses Obama.

All of my family and friends knew he would. So how is this big news???
It's typical and is was cake to predict...

Sometimes you know for example: Like when you tell a kid not to touch something because it's hot and it will burn... well when the kids don't listen (they don't believe you) well maybe they gotta touch it and get burned....

9 out of 10 AfricanBlack Americans are voting for Obama cause he black ..
So why would Powell prove to be any different.­????

.

[Martee]

See ya back here on November 5. How do you like your crow cooked?

[jennytaylia]

The thing that gets me is that "Hussein" is almost as common a name in the Middle East as "Jones" is here. It's just unfortunate for Obama that one of the most demo.nized tyr.ants shares that name; too many people have the knee-jerk reaction.

[Martee]

YAY!!!!

[sherbug]

Little Lord Fontleroy McCain is stomping his feet saying...B­ut, I know how to get military endorsements. I have over 200 of them.

But seriously, this was a slashing blow to the McCain campaign and it will last all day today which just takes time off the clock and the focus off McCain.

I just wish General Powell would do one rally, but he said no, so OK.

[peggyleg]

So he won't stump for the Big O, what a shock!!!

[justfine]

Apparently you didn't see, or hear, Secretary Powell's reasoned, thoughful, insightful speech. Perhaps you should do just that before you make yourself sound more like Governor Palin than you already have.

[madeline2]

John M. has waaay more Mil. endorsments than Barry....a­nd Powell really isn't very good at what he does as you all had said.... a few years ago

[Darnamell]

That was Powell the loyal SecState, which, yes, had an abyssmal lack of backbone in a time where it was needed. So, yes, thanks for coming around to that point of view.

As for the General Powell, he's got the credentials by any measure. Even revisionist history Republicans.

As for military "endorsements", I imagine we'll all be surprised by the actual milvote, particularly those who are facing the prospect of fighting McCain's Hundred Year's War and the Iranian Occupation. Armchair general endorsements only go so far. Given what I've seen by the recent vets and currently serving soldiers and Marines I know, I wouldn't be taking the military vote for granted this time around.

[rwt1138]

McCain has more military endorsements, you say. Prove it. As the last several weeks have shown, a claim by a McCain spokesman hardly qualifies as a credible source.

[melbelfel]

I so admire Colin Powell and felt that his endorsement, along with those of some print media would really be the end of McCain but could someone explain to me why the polls are showing a drop for Obama and a slight increase for McCain?

Besides the obvious opinion that I have, which is that race is playing a much more significant role in this run for presidency­....is there more to it than just pure racism and ignorance of many Americans?

I'm feeling anxious that the fear factor is having the impact McPalin wanted.

[Sparky123]

My body is taut with tension as these last 2 weeks loom. What will happen? It seems that something is in the air. What polls are you referring to?

[melbelfel]

i generally check out realclearpolitics.com......often...now i feel a bit obsessive.

[breakingnews]

History shows that the Repubs break late int he election cycle, so there is ALWAYS a tightening in the polls toward the Repub candidate.

But do not look at the National Polls, remember, we do not have a National Election, this is decided on the state level. Focus there, in the state races. First to 270 wins.

[melbelfel]

Thank you breakingnews, so do you feel there is nothing really out of the ordinary playing in the points lost in some states for or leaning for Obama. I know it's not by much but it seems so strange after the huge endorsements and the results after the debates...­i may sound naive but I dont understant how and why this is happening even though you have explained that it is historical­...why do polls tighten late for republicans?

it ALL helps with the anxiety...­so thanks again

[peggyleg]

So,now all of you libs realize that Obama was never up by 8-14 points? That was the msm, in the tank for Obama. Now that it is getting close to the election, not even the msm wants to be that far off, they would lose all credibility (they already have in my opinion) by continuing to say Obama is up by 8-14 points when in all reality, he will lose, and probably by a landslide!!!

[TruthfullyYours]

people, whenever you hear either mccain or palin talk about the "surge" working in iraq, all you have to do is look at the picture of kareem rashad sultan khan, a young patriot who was mentioned by gen. powell yesterday. cpl. khan was 20 years old, very young and should be looking ahead to a bright future. instead, his life was wasted by the war that should not have been waged. the question now is, where's the outrage from the so-called patriots calling into the patriotism of obama, villified by mccain and palin and by many others because he's not wearing a flag pin? because his last name is hussain? the picture of cpl. khan's mother tugs the very string from my heart. if you're not moved by it, then you're in the same cloak as palin and mccain and the bushies and cheneys. remember palin's reaction to joe biden's emotional tribute to his family during the debate?

[peggyleg]

The loss of any life tugs at my heartstrings. But thank God we have people like the young soldier you mentoned that actually feel that there is something in this world bigger than themselves, that they are willing to lay down their life for.

McCain/Palin '08

[melbelfel]

you truly missed the point peggyleg..­..clearly mcPalin is for you. good luck

[justfine]

You evocation of God to justify an illegal, unwarranted and insane war is blasphemy.

Obviously you are not the American Patriot you claim.

[bliss0027]

soldiers serving overseas are so far voting 5 to 1 in favor of Obama

MAYBE YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO THE SOLDIERS THAT YOU SO ADMIRE AND RESPECT

they are saying they want to come home!!!!!!!!

[rwt1138]

Like corporate profits?

[peggyleg]

His last name is Hussein? Wow, I thought his last name was Obama and his middle name was Hussein...­.

Obama is not a patriot, Powell and McCain are. And I will ask the question again "Why did it take so long for Obama to start waring the flag pin?"

[melbelfel]

he may not be "waring " the flag pin peggyleg but he is wearing it.
see pegster...­.we all make little mistakes sometimes. are you in grade 3?
I can't believe that we are 2 weeks away and you are whining about the flag pin.

[rwt1138]

Maybe out of respect for U.S. Flag Code, which prohibits wearing the flag as apparel?

No patriot wears the flag as adornment.

[chouwalker]

So, Mr Limbaugh says that Powell endorsed Obama because he's black.

Ok then, I guess the "300" generals that endorsed McCain did so because he's white?

If he would not agree. I guess that's because only blacks are racist?

Mr Limbaugh makes no sense, but then again, that may not be his objective.

[JayeSF]

has Clarence Thomas endorsed Obama....?­?????

[peggyleg]

Clarence Thomas would never endorse the Big O, hell, Thomas is against affirmative action, and is a great conservative and a great American.

[Sparky123]

That is one of the unique things about this campaign. I lived through the Civil Rights Movement. I am proud of this country for giving this man a chance to rise up and be a symbol of how far we have come over the last 40 years. Black or not, he is a new kind of politician and Powell gets it.

[AnthonyVolpe]

If Colin Powell can stop voter fraud and tampering, I'll care.

[CitizenZoe]

Colin Powell has done more for this country than you'll ever do... something to chew on why you throw out ridiculous comments that make absolutely no sense.

[TruthfullyYours]

amen.

[AnthonyVolpe]

Powell's endorsement or anyone else's endorsement can only go so far and do so much when our votes are changed and tampered with. This story broke within 24 hours of stories of early voting machines registering votes for McCain that were CLEARLY meant for Obama.

My comment was not aimed at the Democrats. It was aimed at the Republicans.

Does that make enough sense for you?

[munki]

YES, YES, YES!
General Colin Powell made all the points...
nailed it...
no more negative - economy is negative and it is enough...

[Titus Pullo]

"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."

I shudder at what metric is next.

"At the count of three, turn away from the urinals, gentlemen .."

[TruthfullyYours]

the number's "about" 200 retired generals and admirals. please note keyword "retired." also, mccain claims he's endorsed by kissinger, baker (???), eagleburger, and haig. if i were mccain, i'll shoot myself or quit the race if these four war-mongers publicly endorse me!

[matthewhusseinsmith]

Kissinger, the guy who sold Viet Nam out and got a Nobel peace price for it, while his counterpart, Le Duc Tho declined it.
Kissinger, RM Nixon's secretary of state. It takes a crook to work for a crook.
Kissinger, the proponent of realpolitik, the amoral way of conducting affairs of state.

[Ofactor]

I think this is an important endorsement. It's great coming from Colin Powell because all morning on the news they have been asking how important this is to Obama, and how does the MCcain Campaign feel about this. Rick Davis on the morning Joe show said that they expected this but he did not say anything bad about Colin. I think that they want to say something bad but in this case they know that they can't....S­o I think the endorsement is good in that they can't really say anything negative.

[flabingo]

There is no Department of Offense. It is called The Department of Defense. Wars are not won with offense. There was no good reason to go into Iraq, and we will not win anything unless we learn not to do it again.Ther­e is an interesting article in the NYT about Afganistan. Russian official who was there said we are making the same mistakes that they made, only worse. The endorsement of Obama should be read completely. It is comprehensive and very thoughtful. There is also a very interesting article about the Bradley effect, which happened twenty six years ago and did not account for the large mail in program by the Republicans.

[rwt1138]

There is no such thing as the Bradley Effect. It's a myth. There is no such thing as a voter who tells pollsters he will vote for the minority character out of some sense of "guilt" but then secretly votes white in the voting booth. Nobody has ever produced one of these mythical creatures, the "Bradley Voter", and indeed there is more evidence supporting the existence of Bigfoot or the Loch Ness Monster than there is for the "Bradley Voter".

In 26 years of reporting on the elusive, shy creature known as the "Bradley Voter", not a single specimen has ever been produced.

The only reason the "Bradley Effect" is being rolled out in this election is to provide a compelling cover story to explain why Obama lost the election despite leading in both pre-election and exit polls. Since it has been repeated as proven fact over and over again in the media, people will here "must be the Bradley Effect" and roll over and go back to sleep, rather than demand the investigation that logic would dictate.

[WeMustChange]

It is my goal to get in touch with someone from the Obama campaign and share with them my desire to be a part of his inauguration by reciting a poem I wrote called “We Must Change,” and I kindly ask for your help in doing so.
Go to youtube and do a search for "thinkverybig" and watch all of those videos. The one called "We Must Change" would be fitting to recite at Obama's Inauguration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM58nqX1ehE

Here are the words! http://www.thinkverybig.com/We%20Must%20Change.htm

“Makes Me Wanna Cry” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD0iAQN7VPY

[smit9187]

Go away!

[forthepeople1]

Please stop using this forum as your own personal advertisement!!!! People are not buying okay!

[cradleofliberty]

Good poem!!

[besparks]

With all do respect to Colin Powell does this endorsement really mean anything. If anything I think it is a bit ridiculous, but this is politics after all.
If Obama is such a ardent supporter of Powell why didn't he come on board when Powell was selling the war.
Further to that, I have heard that Powell thinks that Palin is not fit to be President. Does someone need to remind Powell that he worked for George Bush! If Bush Jr can be president TWICE anybody can.
I think Powell's credibility is lacking and Obama is ridiculous to be talking about having Powell in his administration. What about change, you don't get any more washed up than Colin Powell.
Come on people, this is such a contradiction to everything Obama supposedly stands for. No to the war in Iraq, change in Washington, etc.
Pathetic really.

[justoverit333]

No, it's not pathetic. He is very intelligent and
well-respected. Besparks must be a Repub.
You're on the wrong website

[RoloTomassi]

Yup, you're spot on, he's a new [or recycled] GOP troll with a total of ONE comment made.

[Coinyer101]

powell was lied to like everyone else. get over it. a lot of independent barack supporters still respect powell, so, stop bashing a good thing.

[ImagesAndAdjectives]

That's a weak argument about Bush. You're right, he was president. Look what happened.

[Sparky123]

Powell was being "the good soldier" when he supported his Commander in Chief. If you read any of the books about the lead up to the war you will learn that he questioned the plan from day one. Rumsfeld and Cheney ignored and isolated him and he had no choice.

[hexham]

this got buried earlier, but -

It seems the McCain campaign is playing political Whack-a-Mole, angrily flailing at issues that move and change before they can hit them, always behind the curve.

the Obama camp seems instead to be playing chess. 5 moves ahead, calmly interpreting the board, and no silly moves.

[proudliberal4truth]

Nice metaphor. I love the "whack-a-mole" reference.

[breakingnews]

Agreed, brilliant and spot on!