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

[biglith]

Anything the McCain campaign says cannot be accepted on face value. It could be three generals and admirals and they would spin it into something significant. Losers.

[MikeGuy]

The McCain campaign: what they lack in substance, they make up for in volume.

[kewps]

Nail in the coffin? This is more like a railroad spike in the coffin!

[Ron1951]

Rush accuses Powell of endorsing Obama because he is black.

McCain retorts that he has 300 retired generals and admirals backing him.

But Obama has the endorsement of the General who set the correct doctrine for military involvement, served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, served as Secretary of State without bringing any militaristic views into his position, and had the honor of being duped by Bush/Cheney on Iraq like the rest of us.

Quality wins over Quantity. Powell's endorsement means something to us all. Who are these retired generals and admirals and of what relevance to our political system are they anyway?

[breakingnews]

The BIGGER question is: How many of those 300 really tired Generals are Democratic?

The BIGGER Answer: Zero

End of story.

[forthepeople1]

If folks would just take the time to Look up McCain's voting record on funding the Troops, they would be shocked and he would not get another military person on board, not now, not ever!!! Look it up!

[peggyleg]

Tell me where to find this, what site? Or are you just spouting talking points from Moveon.org? That's what I thought.

[3rdCitizen]

Powell's message on Meet the Press was even better than the speech he gave at the Republican convention in 2000 (the only good speech I've ever heard at a Republican convention, and one which the more conservative majority bristled at). No, nothing will ever remove the stain of his testimony at the U.N., but that doesn't mean that he's not still capable of moments of genuine statesmanship.
The big question now is, what effect is this going to have on the election?

[LeBeau59741]

Besides that the comment about McCain being "endorsed by more than 300 retired generals and admirals. That's over 10 times more than what Senator Obama has received" has a childish "Nyah, Nyah" feel to it, I can't help but wonder how many of those endorsements came 7 or more weeks ago, before the economic meltdown,
before the wildly reckless decision to choose Palin as a running mate,
before McCain's campaign turned to staggeringly vicious,
before the debates showed McCain to be incapable of presenting himself in a respectful, presidential manner.
and would those same generals and admirals offer their endorsement if asked today?

[hexham]

good point

[breakingnews]

Since McCain was touting those same Generals when he was taunting Obama to go to Iraq, I would say none.

[Ammi]

I just got home from voting. Man that felt good.

Obama/Biden '08!!

[jedonspring]

So did I. I was the 46th voter, the age of Barack when he started the primaries! Yes, it felt good!

[peggyleg]

WTF? Who the hell cares how old Obama was when he started running for president two years ago insteadd of fullfilling his obligations as a US senator?

[biglover]

Where do you all live?????

[biglith]

I did too. It was like driving a stake into Dracula's heart.

[BMS]

I'm going to vote this afternoon. (North Carolina)


YES WE CAN turn NC blue!!

[peggyleg]

No you won't, turn North Carolina blue.

You only can vote once. Don't listen to ACORN.

MCain/Palin '08

[lennix]

buchanan is something that has come and gone and is hanging around to reminds us that how stupid we all was to listen to this madness all these years and how stupid he realy is and how dumb the msm is to think we belive this bs at least its more smart people now then the fools like pat

[candyc]

Buchanan ruins MSNBC. I think he lives there. He's SO awful. Did anyone see him right after that Bachmann woman spewed her BS? HE AGREED WITH HER.
I write to MSNBC about him all the time. Please do the same?

[RoloTomassi]

NO, NO, NO! Pat is a wonderful resource to we liberals; I respect Pat becasue he tells it as he sees it, and he is entitled to his very backward conservative opinion.

But never discount the value of being given a glimpse of the opposition's POV. And if you're paying attention, you'll notice that Pat occasionally admits [albeit begrudgingly] to the wrong-mindedness of NeoCon policy.

Without political contrast, we simply have pundits preaching to the choir; the Right already has that in Fox news, and soon we will see that such has not served them well in the face of strong opposition.

[NotaDrone]

I was so mad after his disgusting comments that I almost broke my computer keys. Yes, I sent a lovely comment to them. What a hack, what are his credentials anyway?!

[RickO]

I've heard a lot of detractors point to Powell's UN presentation in the run up to the war as a reason to discount his reputation, and I agree that was probably a low point in his career (I'd be willing to bet he regrets it). But Powell is a soldier who did his duty, nefarious as it was in hindsight, and while I think he should have resigned instead, none of us were there when he made the decisions he made.

All that aside, he has a long and distinguished career and I thinbk Obama should offer him Sec. Defense aty the very least. We need a guy like him.

[RoloTomassi]

I had such a converation about Powell just the other day; while I stated that he wouldn't get my vote for POTUS [theoretically] because of the UN presentation, I do not discount or demonize him--many others were forgiven for falling in line with the BushCo war march, and I still see him as an honorable man of service.

[balrog221]

as a republican, I was proud to hear my feelings of betrayal expressed so clearly by Powell. A patriot, a pragmatist and a statesman

[Liberalforsure]

Although you are republican, you are an enlightened voter, something we don't see much of from republicans.

[SpinDizzy]

That's odd. Most of the intelligent Republicans I know have given up on the Palin-McCain ticket. Colin Powell is just expressing the majority view of the honest, thinking wing of his party.

[nellie]

I think a lot of people in your party share your feelings.

[FlyTheBlueSky]

Spoken like a true American who puts country ahead of party...

[sonoffestus]

If your party is to survive, it will take more thoughtful, concerned and caring folks like yourself.
We ALL must remember that, "a nation divided cannot stand."

[BadTymin]

Im sick of everyone saying why isnt obama up by more points look at what he has done already a black man in the president alone is huge and for him to have any kind of lead is truly amazing. The way i see it Mccain should be up by 20 or more points which brings me back to that bradley effect which is garbage more than blacks are voting for O

[Liberalforsure]

Exactly. Why isn't mccain, the so called hero (yuk) leading??

[biglover]

I agree with you Liberaforsure. I have maintained that all along. It is McCain who should be in the lead since he was the Maverick, the POW, "war her'o", 25 year senate reputation. The thug party is excellent at spin beyond a doubt.

[bmwracer]

General Powell's opening statement on "Meet the Press" was gold.

After hearing that, how can anyone NOT vote for Barack Obama? :)

[JodyMcg]

Not only did Powell say that Barack Obama would be getting his vote he said Palin was not qualified for the office of Vice President and the McCain campaign was negative and the GOP shoud return to compassionate conservatism.

[lagumbo]

John MCCAin's responce, I got more generals than you is so childish. If Powell had endorsed MCcAIN, IT WOULD BE A BIG DEAL, but it now become, he is black, that's they reason. Limbaugh, the Faux news clowns will spin that until election day. Don't be fooled people. Powell would have never endorsed OBAMA if he thought he was not ready. The bigger point is , JOHN MCCAIN is not ready6 and will never be.

[nellie]

The racial thing is such a silly argument. Both Obama and McCain have been endorsed by people of different ethnic backgrounds. It's only because this endorsement is so important that the neocons are resorting to this juvenile whine. I think everyone recognizes it for what it is.

[JodyMcg]

Brokaw asked Powell that exact question. Powell said that if it was just a question of race he would have endorsed Obama months ago.

[AgeofReason]

The difference between Colin Powell and all those generals and admirals who endorsed McCain is that everyone in America knows Colin Powell and respects his judgment (UN speech notwithstanding). No one knows these other guys. I thought the response from the McCain campaign was even funnier. "Oh yeah, well Obama can have Powell. We have this soap opera actress!"

[breakingnews]

Yea, what the heck was that? They felt that they had to counter Powell with an e-mail blast about some soap "star" no one has ever heard of? I thought it was a joke, until I realized they were serious.

Another WTF moment from the McCain camp.

[Fenianheart]

Old military voters generally vote republican. It wouldn't matter who was running. It doesn't say much for Mccain.

[AZdesertdog]

I wouldn't be so sure. I was seeing a customer last week in Sun City (AZ). we started talking politics; he's an Obama supporter; I said he must be in the minority there.

he just started pointing at the houses on his block: retired police chief, retired Army ( 2 of those) retired Navy, retired Air Force, retired marines (2). all were retired officers.

EVERY one was voting for Obama. the military guys were scared to death of McCain.

[classc 1]

Of course...we should not get complacent...but...Obama is up by 10% again in the Daily national Gallup today!! He was as low as 6% down last week. I guess Joe the Plumber, Ayers and the socialist arguments are falling on deaf ears.

Gallup Daily: Obama Retains Significant Lead
Race remains tighter among likely voters than registered voters

PRINCETON, NJ -- Barack Obama's advantage over John McCain in the presidential race has again widened to 10 percentage points among registered voters, 52% to 42%, in Gallup Poll Daily tracking from Oct. 16-18.

This is the first Gallup Poll Daily tracking report based on data collected entirely after Wednesday night's third and final presidential debate. McCain's current 42% support level is at the midpoint of the 41% to 43% range he has received over the past 18 days. Obama's 52% is at the upper end of the 48% to 52% range of support he has received over the same time period. (To view the complete trend since March 7, 2008, click here.)

With 1% of registered voters saying they will vote for another specific candidate, only 6% remain undecided, one of the smallest levels to date.



http://www.gallup.com/poll/111232/Gallup-Daily-Obama-Retains-Significant-Lead.aspx

[bmonaghan]

Unrelated... I read the transcript of the Palin and Hannity interview. It is surreal. When you get past the gut reaction and just read it without reacting to what they're actually saying, it comes off as perfectly absurd. He says one thing, she says another, he then follows with something completely unrelated, and then she tops that with something even more unrelated. If you untangle her verbiage, she does have a cohesive narrative - far more than McCain's. The problem is she can't complete a compound sentence without losing her way half way through.

[Kyuzo]

I agree completely. Reading a transcript of Palin's words is even more shocking because you aren't distracted by the smiles and winks. The woman rarely makes any sense.

[bodo]

An intelligent civilian President who carefully listens to the advice of his generals is much better for the country than an elderly ex-Navy captain of 50 years ago who meddles and interferes in military strategy, and keeps shouting to his campaign audiences "Listen to me, I know how to win wars!" God forbid!

[ApolloniaCreed]

According to JM, JM knows how to do lots of things, find O sama, win wars, turn around the economy, etc. but oddly enough, he won't disclose the information to rest of us.

[lostinNJ1]

David Letterman, filling in for the MSM!, really pushed JM on this point. JM finally revealed his answer: that Bin Laden has a circle of people around him, that it is very hard to penetrate. So basically, he has NO solution- this is already well known.

[Kyuzo]

I've gotta say, John McCain's "I know how to ______" assertions are really getting tired.

[AERO]

Right now, we don't need a president who knows how to wage and win wars. We need one with the intelligence not to start any more needlessly. John McCain's foreign policy will be like a drunken brawler.