Obama's Secretary Of Defense: Colin Powell?

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***Update 11/5***

Rumors are flying about President-Elect Obama possible cabinet picks and Colin Powell's name keeps popping up. The Politico has a story about the "stars" who may be planned for Obama's cabinet.

Obama's transition planners are weighing several other celebrity-level political stars for Cabinet posts, including retired Gen. Colin L. Powell for secretary of defense or education, the officials said.

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Colin Powell's recent endorsement of Barack Obama has fueled talks that the he may be Obama's Secretary of Defense or fill some other capacity in an Obama administration. Powell had been slightly disgraced following his time as Bush's Secretary of State, being a major force in selling the Iraq war to the United Nations, but his popularity remains high.

Several blogs have speculated that Powell will be Obama's Secretary of Defense.

Obama himself has also said that Powell will have a place in his administration:

"He will have a role as one of my advisers," Barack Obama said on NBC's Today in an interview aired Monday, a day after Powell, a four-star general and President Bush's former secretary of state, endorsed him.

"Whether he wants to take a formal role, whether that's a good fit for him, is something we'd have to discuss," Obama said.

Comments

[cropper]

You're kidding me! The man who made the (hollow) case for war that Obama opposed? That would be bitter irony that millions would refuse to swallow.

Wesley Clark has all the qualifications.

[RockySoldier]

Wesley Clark for National Security Advisor.

Colin Powell for Department of Education. The man cares about inner city schools. He would do an incredible job.

[WasteNJ]

I know the refrain on the old Powell song, but when it comes to military matters, think about this.
Would you rather have a man who's bloodied his hands and then sought redemption, or a man who has never bloodied his hands and doesn't know what that feels like? (I refer to making the mistakes he's made, not literally his time in the Service)
The global spying and military portfolios aren't PC, a lot goes on and always has, hidden from the light of day.
I support Powell for SECDEF.

[zeebruce]

Colin Powell was at the head of the cover up for the Mai Lai massacre during which over 500 men, women, and children were slaughtered. He distinguished himself during the Bush administration by lying to the American people and Congress about weapons of mass destruction. What this country needs are people with integrity which has been sadly in short supply with the present administration and with Congress. Powell is symbolic of the corrupt old guard and his one-minute to midnight endorsement of Obama deserves neither comment or credit.

[koufax]

heard from a very good source that Nelson A. Diaz is strongly being considered for Sec. of HUD. He was Clinton's General Counsel for HUD and would be a terrific choice.

[FrictionSoul]

No way, not after his testicles shrunk to this big * caving into Bush+Cheney cabal.

[Machu]

No way... should Colin powell be in this admin. We need new faces!

[retroredux]

while we need a lot of new faces, a pick like Colin Powell would be great two fold. first -experience, for those who are hesitant about the administration, second-he's a old school, respected Republican, which will greatly help the non partisan issue.

[Graywolf48]

He's a liar. He knowingly lied to the U.N. and aided Bush in involving the country in a totally needless war. Powell sold his soul to Bush and has no honor. There are much better choices than Powell. I don't think a Powell appointment would sit well with the Democratic base or independents. Obama can do better. He must do better than Colin Powell.

[KeysDan]

He is not respected any more by the Republicans, as they are now constituted (cf. Rush Limbaugh). To be bipartisan you have to pick someone acceptable to the other side. How many Democrats would have felt good if Bush appointed Zell Miller to his cabinet and claimed he reached out to Democrats? Colin Powell is a sad case, retirement becomes him

[PatrickforO]

Colin Powell would be a great addition to President Obama's Cabinet. He long argued with the Bush Administration, and in spite of his partial disgrace before the UN, such a move would signal to America that an Obama administration will be bipartisan. Powell won't be a yes man, and Obama will benefit greatly from his wisdom. This is a perfect chance for the redemption of a great American who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

[CharlesRND]

You heard it here first:
http://www.talleyrand.net/2008.10.12_arch.html#1224257736510

[polaris12]

Retired Admiral Fallon is the man for the job. Powell was no innocent.

[KeysDan]

Admiral Fallon is just what is needed. If Powell is being considered, why not Condi or Rummy or Wolfie. Also, let's go for the gold with Cheney.

[oregonideas]

being a "good soldier", Powell took the heat for his disaster of a speech before the UN. We'll probably never know whether he duped us or whether the Bushies duped him...or some combination. Nonetheless, he is a bright, respected, decent man who would serve us well in a cabinet level capacity. I do agree, it would be nice for him to have the opportunity to redeem himself in public service. His endorsement statement for Senator Obama was an example of his considerable wisdom and decency.

[c1ee]

I agree completely.

[KeysDan]

Does not sound like he is as bright as you claim, if, as Secretary of State, he was duped. He is no longer respected--do you think he could be an effective Ambassador to the UN, for example? Let him redeem himself on his own dime. Yes, his endorsement of Senator Obama was great, even if it was just before the election and the polls had McCain circling the drain. A tit for tat, would not look good, not the new politics, but the old.

[Wonder11]

The Prefect Choice! Colin has the comprehension of the terrain, the wisdom for the position and the respect of his military subordinates! Perfect Choice and a perfect opportunity for him to resurrect his image for history to remember him as a Great General and Wise asset to the New administration instead of Cheney's dupe.

[LikeaRollingStone]

I hope Powell gets a chance to redeem his legacy. I feel like he was simply being the good soldier when he was being used by the Bush administration to sell the WMD idea to the UN. My father worked with Powell at the Pentagon years ago and always said he was an honorable man who took his service to the country very seriously.

I read somewhere that Powell might be considered for Sec. of Education. Maybe we could use a military man to rein in all that school voucher nonsense.

[nvzephyr]

This is not a terrible idea. Don't get me wrong. I was as disgusted as anyone by Powell's performance before the UN back in the day. But Powell still strikes me as an honorable and smart man. He surely has a healthy understanding and distrust of the neocons in and out of the military. He clearly admires Obama. With his republican and military credentials on one side, and that admiration of Obama on the other, he might just be a terrific liaison between the administration and the military.

[Herkybird]

That is a moot point anyway. While Powell endorsed Obama and is a retired General it does not command that Obama choose him as Sec of Defense. What about Wesley Clark?

[aloha43]

That would be Secretary.

Haha