Why A Powell Endorsement Would Matter

If reports are true that Colin Powell will endorse Senator Obama this weekend on Meet the Press, it may be a huge moment that gives a further shot of credibility into the arm of the Obama campaign.

I know that many progressives are upset with the role Powell played leading up to the war in Iraq. And, there's no doubt that Powell showed poor judgment in believing the fudged intelligence presented to him, which he then presented to the United Nations. At the same time, however, we do have evidence that Powell tried behind the scenes to change things and even prevent going to war. In this, he can be a powerful advocate for Obama, noting that for all the talk of lack of experience, Barack Obama was right on the Iraq war, and showed better judgment than the entire Bush administration, himself included.

Powell has been open about some of his own culpability, for presenting bad information to the UN, and accepts the fact that it will be a stain on his record, telling a reporter, "Of course it will. It's a blot. I'm the one who presented it on behalf of the United States to the world, and (it) will always be part of my record. It was painful. It's painful now."

I'm not excusing Colin Powell for doing what he did. But, at the same time, him being one of the few who was in the White House during that time puts him in a unique position -- to say he's been there and seen what happens when intelligence is no good and twisted, when we go into a war for the wrong reasons and in the wrong way, and that he's confident that Barack Obama is the guy to not only fix those mistakes, but to not repeat them.

For example, even if he doesn't bring it up on Meet the Press, we know through Bob Woodward's accounting of the lead-up to the war that Powell tried to dissuade the President from going to war, and battled it out with Donald Rumsfeld about the size of the force we planned to send in once the decision was made; arguing for a larger force that would lead to fewer SNAFUs during the invasion, and a better chance at keeping control of the country, post-invasion.

We know that he warned the president, to no avail, of the Pottery Barn rule -- You Break It, You Own It -- and tried to sound the siren that the occupation would not be easy, and that there was no clear exit plan. We know that Powell duked it out over the use of torture with members of the administration, and knew how it would reduce our standing in the world, and only encourage our enemies to torture those troops of ours that they captured.

In short, while we may criticize Powell for not resigning from the administration if he had strong objections to the war, it's clear that he did fight a lot behind the scenes, and he can imply (if not explicitly say) that he would have rather had Barack Obama as President during those months, so we never would have gone to war with Iraq to begin with.

Further, Powell can add a strong voice to some key points that Obama has been making, moving ahead. First and foremost, Powell was one of five former Secretaries of State who said we should open up lines of communication with our enemies, without preconditions, to step up the diplomatic efforts to settle the ongoing strife in the Middle East.

Second, Powell has made clear that talking to Iran and Syria is an urgent component to ending this war in the right and responsible way. Reported The Times of London, "Powell believes that a reduction in US forces will have to be accompanied by talks with Syria and Iran. "You have to talk to the people you dislike most in this dangerous world."

And, of course, all of this doesn't even account for the fact that this is the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs -- a man who loves America and loves America's military. For all the smears being hurled about "palling around with terrorists" and "white flag of retreat," nothing can counter that like a Republican former 4-star coming out and saying "This guy loves America as much as me."

Crossposted at www.vetvoice.com

Follow Jon Soltz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jonsoltz

Comments

[stratjdr]

150Million in Sept and now.......­......Coli­n Powell endorses Obama. Let's add some points to that board. This is a good day. Thank you General Powell.

[madisonhack]

A Colin Powell endorsement of Obama would be a virtual smoking gun of failed policies in Iraq; reasoning behind the war, the war itself, and the present occupation by the United States alone. How could McCain spin an endorsement of this kind? "Well, my friends, he was just a General. What does he know?" No that won't do, will it? How about, "he's only doing this because he's black." The answer to that claim is obvious - what about Condi Rice, then? Maybe Palin could make a point that Powell isn't 'pro-American' enough? Yes, I think the Republicans ought to stake that claim now and say it loudly until November 4.

[AnselAnvil]

If Powell endorses McCain it could give the McCain camp some momentum around the time that the numbers will naturally close a bit.

[mddemfromTiMoNiUm]

Powell though important should move on. His lack of backbone to stand-up to what what was wrong leading up to the war and during is well documented. A true leader will challenge authority as needed. He went with the flow, when he should have resisted. Certainly a brilliant man like him, could have figured out how to get to the truth and attempt to change those around him. And now, how many lives are lost in Iraq? Yes the spine was gone when he made O6, and his self serving interests were all that mattered.

However, if he does endorse OBAMA it will mean a lot. But I suspect that those on the fence and those who don't read sites like the HuffPost will only think something irrational like he's doing it because he's another black man.

[margardner]

"A true leader will challenge authority as needed." and this is exactly why Obama would be the best and most qualified President! He voted against the war and knew what it would do to the region. He knew we should be concentrating on Pakistan where the terrorists truly are. He also knew the global implications this war would have and knew it was not the way to go.
McCain, yes McCain, with "his lack of backbone to stand-up to what was wrong leading up to the war" well he, followed President Bush.

[carolo]

Colin Powell has been a good friend of McCain for nearly 30 years. Powell NOT endorsing McCain will say a lot!

[Js420]

Im going to skip Sunday NFL countdown to watch Meet the Press this week. If he's going on the show not only do i think he'll endorse Obama BUT he has something very important to say.

President Barack H Obama!!!!

[jimpwhite]

Thank you Jon. The question that Gen Powell will endorse Sen Obama has been answered for a long-time. His silence on not endorsing a republican just cause hes a republican. Or his not endorsing Sen. McCain just cause hes a veteran, shows strong leadership.

Your article along with Hal Donahues alerts old school veterans, a very large voting block that more is involved than just voting for a Veteran or a party member cause you share that history. We need strong advisors around the Oval Office from both sides of the line. We need leaders that have walk-the walk. And those who are willng to walk-the-walk. We need endorsements and debates and movies like "W".
We need America for what she truly stands for and the world needs to know we can lead with a steady hand on the tiller during all the storms, past , present and future. Thank you.

[appleknocker]

So Powell knew the war was wrong but sold it anyway? And Obama wants his endorsement?

[njborne]

Yes. Gen. Colin Powell did what he was told. He followed his constitutional service to the President, whether he agreed with it or not. We all know that it nearly destroyed him. Gen Powell is highly respected to this day. We may have doubt. But they are unwarranted doubts. Whether he endorses McCain or Obama, I have unflapable faith in him. I thank him for his service to this country, especially since I served during his tenure and through the initial Gulf War.

[Matt7]

Absolutely.

[clover2]

I think Colin Powell should have endorsed Obama a long time ago. Surely, he realized what a cynical and irresponsible choice Sarah Palin was soon after McCain decided on her. I don't think Mr. Powell has demonstrated a lot of political courage.

[nibblybits]

Keep in mind that it could be that the Obama camp has kept this endorsement under wraps until a political beneficial time in the race (now).

[marshwood]

Obama wins with or without Powell. But if Powell endorse McCain, I'll be shocked. Powell has never discussed his personal decisions in public, and I doubt he will tomorrow. It's all just hype for ratings and advertising.

[boyleebob]

I have always respected Powell. I really think that the Iraq fiasco has bothered him. I did lose a lot of respect for him, but I think he was just being a good soldier and going along with his commander in chief at the time. As an Obama supporter, I would welcome an endorsement from General Powell. My belief is that his endorsement would be more persuassive to the Independents and undecided voters than any of the debates have been.

[socalgal59]

Powell's responses to his role in selling the Iraq war to the world is very revealing--this is a man with a conscious; a man who reflects on his actions; takes responsibility for his actions; and most of all, learns from his mistakes. I admire Powell more today than I did before the Iraq War matters. He is able to look at himself with a critical eye--something not many people, especially politician, are able to do. Most politicians are consumed with protecting­/inventing their legacy--years after leaving office, most politicians continue to blame others, write a skewed history of events, or simply deny events. Powell is an exception, not the rule, when it comes to post-public service self-reflection.

[cagney57]

Colin Powell testified for (R) Ted Stevens in Alaska and he did something illegal...That might tell you that Powell may in fact be a Republican through and through.

I hate thinking negative but, he may endorse McCain, would not Republicans stick together?

Obama/Biden '08

[Matt7]

Decency tends to stick together.

[jcdf]

I too was disappointed with Colin Powell when he was at the UN speaking for the Bush Administration on something I think he didn't believe was true. Soon after I thought his career was over. It was sad to see such a great military leader as Colin Powell being humiliated by the incompetence of Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld. I think his training as a military officer, that he should follow the chain of command ultimately is what made him do it. This was the man who probably could have become the first African-American President or Vice President. He is a great American success story. The Powell Doctrine ( the use of overwhelming force to win) was a main reason for the quick success in the first Gulf War. This is what gave our military a new confidence it was lacking since Vietnam. His years of service to this nation in the military and government, his knowledge of the world should not be overlooked. What he says still matters. People say the choice of the Vice President doesn't matter because we vote for the top of the ticket, but what if Bush chose Powell instead of Cheney? I think the world would be a different place today.

[OliverTwist]

Powell is not trustworthy.

He would be more true to form endorsing McCain and that would benefit McCain.

If he endorses Obama it will not be a plus for Obama.

[Matt7]

You're wrong. Keep watching and you'll see.