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

[schicklett3]

I listened to Colin Powell's interview - he said what many American people are saying and thinking.
I'm so glad he spoke out about John McCain's campaign.... and everybody should take note of what he said about Al-Jazera (sp).
Anyway, thank you Colin Powell...for the endorsement and for speaking out about the divisive nasty campaign of John McCain and the republicans.

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

Hey Harold call me is on right now.

[MNmommy]

You know, it was hard to listen to Lawrence carry on about Palin's *natural talent* and then say she'd be an average Senator, this woman has poor ethics and frightening ideals; it appears that she does indeed have a natural performance quality, but she cannot put together a coherent sentence off prompter to save her life. I wish that he hadn't gone on in such a complimentary way, it just confuses some folks.

*sigh*

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

That was sickening.

Sarah reminds me of my cousin Ja, who was blessed with beauty and a great personality; however, she is dumb as ever.

Ja knows her limitations, though.

[scandals&skeletons]

And here I thought it was all Barney Frank's fault

Associated Press

WASHINGTON – Freddie Mac secr etly paid a consulting firm $2 million to ki ll legislation that would have regulated the mortgage finance giant and its sister company, Fannie Mae, three years before the government took control to prevent their collapse.

Republican senators and a regulatory overhaul bill sponsored by Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., were targeted by the firm DCI of Washington.

DCI's chief executive is Doug Goodyear, whom John McCain's campaign later hired to manage the GOP convention in September.

Freddie Mac's payments to DCI began shortly after the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee sent Mr. Hagel's bill to the then GOP-run Senate on July 28, 2005. All GOP members of the committee supported it; all Democrats opposed it.

During DCI's yearlong effort, Mr. Hagel and 25 other Republican senators pleaded unsuccessfully with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., to allow a vote.

"If effective regulatory reform legislation ... is not enacted this year, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system and the economy as a whole," the senators wrote in a letter that proved prescient.


'Stealth

[scandals&skeletons]

sorry for the double post. it went pending the first time

[MIMom]

silly us. :-)

[scandals&skeletons]

j

[Mostro]

** I was talking about the 1973 militar coup in Chile.

[Mostro]

This man, despite him being part of the push for the Iraq war, got my respect when openly admitted his shame and regret for the US intervention in 1973 that led to a 17 year dictatorship where thousands of people died. No other American authority had been that honest about it.

[scandals&skeletons]

And here I thought it was all Barney Fank's fault.
Associated Press

WASHINGTON – Freddie Mac secretly paid a consulting firm $2 million to kill legislation that would have regulated the mortgage finance giant and its sister company, Fannie Mae, three years before the government took control to prevent their collapse.

Republican senators and a regulatory overhaul bill sponsored by Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., were targeted by the firm DCI of Washington.

DCI's chief executive is Doug Goodyear, whom John McCain's campaign later hired to manage the GOP convention in September.

Freddie Mac's payments to DCI began shortly after the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee sent Mr. Hagel's bill to the then GOP-run Senate on July 28, 2005. All GOP members of the committee supported it; all Democrats opposed it.

During DCI's yearlong effort, Mr. Hagel and 25 other Republican senators pleaded unsuccessfully with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., to allow a vote.

"If effective regulatory reform legislation ... is not enacted this year, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system and the economy as a whole," the senators wrote in a letter that proved prescient.

[kid5rivers2]

McC ain's been endorsed by more than 300 retired generals and admirals...

???!!!

I think that's a typo!

Oughta be:

McC ain's been endorsed by more than 300 really tired generals and admirals...

[littlepuffycloud]

Mc Lame knows one Powell trumps his 300 generals, but again is too small to acknowledge the fact.

[RobertaInCT]

$5 say PatB will have a major meltdown before November 4th live and call Obama a uppity ni**er.

[MNmommy]

I'm to broke to take that bet.

;)

[RobertaInCT]

:)

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

Morning. I have to give money to Bachman's opponent today.

I am not sure how much.

I am broke too. :)

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

I will take that bet because you will lose.

Lou Dobbs is one Obama victory away from using the n word on air.

10 bucks says it will be Lou Dobbs.

[RobertaInCT]

Bet!

:)

[dphilip]

And people say you democrats are nasty, mean spirited and have no ethics...

If Powell hadn't endorsed Obama it would have been the final nail for him..He was obligated.

[RobertaInCT]

Could his endorsement have anything to do with the fact that McCain is unstable and Palin has the intellect if a tube sock?

[paganmist]

If Powell had've endorsed McCain, his career would have been safe. Any President would KILL to have Colin Powell associated with his/her administration, as it could only help to improve their favorability ratings.

Now that Powell has endorsed Obama, he's put himself at risk. He's already put himself at odds with his party, which, well - a black Republican is already at odds, and now he's voting Democrat?

You suck at attributing motives, dude. The only logical reason for what the good General did is that HE, at least, knows how to put COUNTRY FIRST!

Vote Obama/Biden '08!

[littlepuffycloud]

If he can contain himself until then...WHY is he still given air time? I've emailed every show on MSNBC and complained but one complaint isn't worth much.

[DjMissapae]

here's to hoping! did anyone hear him call the economy and supreme court justice nominations "silly" yesterday on msnbc in response to the endorsement? priceless!!!

[RobertaInCT]

Yup,Yup

[abby4ever]

I just heard the most delicious thing, someone talking on CNN (didn't see who it was, tv in other room with vol. turned up). Someone said that the most powerful objection to McCain's charging Obama with wanting to bring in socialism, is the bailout package that was just passed by both houses; he said that THAT was the greatest instance of socialist legislation in our history! And McCain voted Yes!

[Za786]

"other room" you live in a Hostel?

[ApolloniaCreed]

Not to mention the counter argument, that wealth has been concentrated in to minute sliver of society. And to a large degree, the disparity of wealth in this country has been expanded by the policies of George W. Bush. The same policies John McCain is on the record stating he supported more than 90% of the time.

It occurs to me "spread" vs hoard the wealth would be a debate the Obama campaign is happy to have. The bailout just exacerbates the fact that socialism is ok to these quasi-conservatives, as long as it's "welfare" for the top 2%.

[marinade]

I contributed another $100 to Obama's campaign yesterday. The Powell endorsement doesn't mean anything to me. Does it mean that much to a big percentage of voters?

If anything, Powell's endorsement will lull Democrats into a false sense of security. If people don't vote, this will be a close race.

[armadillious2002]

Powell's endorsement is huge. It says of Obama - he really is OK - he isn't a Muslim or a socialist or a terrorist - or Powell wouldn't endorse him. There are millions of dumbed down Americans who actually believe this crap. I hear it everyday. This, if nothing else, will give them second thoughts about all the sewage being spewed out byt the repubs on a daily basis.

[MsDoc]

I just got ban ned for reasons that escape me...but here I am again, perplexed and confused.

Siiiiiiiiiigh.

Election Day minus 15.... don't let up now !!!

[MIMom]

Probably a tech glitch - try to refresh or space out any hot words in your post.

[957]

Paybacks i a bitch