Colin Powell Is Ready To Endorse

When Colin Powell turns off his TV after the final presidential debate, he will have learned everything he is going to learn about the candidates vying to succeed his former boss, George W. Bush. Powell has made it clear that he has been thinking about an endorsement for a long time but wanted to hear more from the candidates before making his choice. It now seems beyond doubt that Colin Powell will endorse Barack Obama and thereby hammer the final nail in the coffin of the Republican campaign to hold onto the White House.

The recent ugliness of the McCain-Palin rally audiences cannot be lost on Colin Powell. And Powell is not one to ignore a 14 point lead in a New York Times poll. But most important for Powell and the press will be his explicit rejection of the Bush-McCain approach to Iraq, Iran and the rest of the world.

Powell's endorsement will be perfectly timed to dominate a news cycle or two. It will give Obama the one thing he still needs more of--credibility as Commander-In-Chief. And Sarah Palin's speechwriters will be hard pressed to come up with a condescending quip about it.

Comments

[rofromchicago]

I currently live in a swing state of Missouri. I received an automated call from Rasmussen Research asking me questions about my view of Colin Powell and the impact of his endorsement of either Obama or McCain on my decision for President. I have long ago made up my mind to vote for Obama - and currently work for his campaign in my spare time - but I thought this was an interesting political market research survey. The survey measured my views of President Bush and if I owned $5,000 or more of stock. I had to think a second to see if my 401K was now below $5,000 since the Wall Street crash!

Obama/Biden08

[Reau482]

Maybe having Colin Powell front and center will bring back the Iraq war to the headlines and the voters. Whatever happened to the war???? Obama did not vote for it and he needs to remind everyone of this and his plan to stop it and McCain's plain to let it go on indefinitely until we "win" it. Whatever that means this week. Also, hopefully, it will bring along some of the military vote as well as nullify McCain's argument that Obama does not have enough experience in this area.

[JavaManiac]

I think that at one point most American's really admired and liked Colin Powell. Many were disappointed when he sold out to the Iraq war push. He went to Camp David over Christmas and came back in January with a totally different story.

I remember sitting in shock in my hotel room watching with horror as he showed WMD moving around Iraq and saying these had been confirmed by reliable sources. Right or wrong on those photos, I felt that we should still give diplomacy a chance. There did not seem to be a rush or a certain danger to America that would force us into a war.

2 months later America rolled into a six year war with an almost laughable coalition of the willing. Every country that went with us then now opposes the war and the few still there are just trying to find a way out as fast as they can.

Sad beyond belief, for I believe if Colin Powell had continued to say, we should be cautious, we should wait, most Americans would have sided with him over George Bush.

That being said, I am happy he is endorsing Barack Obama. Powell is above race and I think he has waited long enough to give John McCain the opportunity to secure the majority of those who would vote for him before he announced.

I still like Colin Powell, and I feel very sorry for him for getting involved in the evil Empire of Bush/Cheney

[wardropper]

Powell's endorsement or otherwise is of no importance.
His honor has been fatally compromised, and he is now just a sideshow.
Leave it alone, MSM.
Sure, he's black, and Obama is black.
Like that's all Obama is looking for in his supporters?
Don't be silly.

[madisonhack]

As a major cheerleader for the Iraq invasion, Colin Powell is political red meat when Obama wants to point a finger at McCain and say "Iraq was a mistake", as it surely was. Colin Powell is the ultimate smoking gun in this discussion. How could the McCain campaign marginalize this guy without looking like the neo-con residue that they are?

[nurseattorney]

Unfortunately, Powell's appearance this Sunday gives the MSM something to talk about. I'm afraid that Powell is trying to convince HIMSELF that he is STILL a man of honor and integrity, having previously conceded those qualities by becoming a lying tool for Bush at the UN. I think Powell will use MTP to announce he is supporting McCain bec. of McCain's devotion to his fellow soldiers. (No doubt, Powell will praise Obama, as well.) Powell can then believe that he is a "truthteller" and "stood up" to people who wanted him to express solidarity with Obama because they share the same skin color. The Republicans will LOVE it, and can pat themselves on the back and tell themselves they are not racists for voting against Obama..."L­ook! Even Colin Powell isn't voting for Obama, and he's BLACK!"

[DaveC19]

I say he will endorse McCain. He IS a Republican after all. I really don't see him breaking ranks and opening himself up to all of the bitterness that he would get from his party.

This will be bad, with McCain on Letterman this week, Palin on SNL, all of the right wingers pounding Obama with all of the Ayers talk, this could be a very bad week for Obama. I see polls tightening to a tie or worse. This is going to be the full court press by the Republicans to pick off the election. October surprise? Maybe.

[OMGWord]

Did you even see McCain on Letterman?? He got schooled by a late-night talk show host! It was embarassing for him - definitely not a good thing for him.

[Alonso Quijano]

Colin Powell was a bright promise -- that went unfulfilled. His lack of courage to resign when his boss went astray has forever ruined that bright promise. Any endorsement of Obama NOW is almost counterproductive, as it shows a lack of vision, courage, leadership. It's too late.

[somefool]

This would be a gigantic endorsement, especially at this time when O is getting smeared by McCain. It would a great way to push back agains't Ayers and Acorn BS. This guy's opinion would matter to the indies.

[toocoldout]

I disagree. Powell hasn't been relevant for years. And he's been out of the spotlight for so long that I doubt he has much impact on the public.

[larrywb59]

well if that is true then why are the republicans already gearing up the attack machine to attack gen Powell?. and i have seen it beginning. Oh BTW I am A lifelong Repub that WILL vote for Obama

[mamala4]

Oh no, he is relevant since he was duped by Bush/Cheney?mcCain into the war..this will be a repudiation of the republican party - not the base but all of the followers.­...it has NOTHING to do with color...I am getting tired of people saying color this and color that...WHE­N are people going to judge people on who they are not what they are....it is shameful..­.

[Archivist1000]

Powell's endorsement will be a 10 minute story. Next week, the Media will be replaying the Palin on SNL over and over again, where she will be 'cute' and 'charming' .. and the American public will get sucked in again.

McCain hate attacks are resonating with the public, Palin's mindless rhetoric appears intelligent to enough voters to put them in the WH.

How do you think Bush got in? He got in because the majority of American voters think like illiterate 13 yr olds.

Powell's words will be faded by days' end ...... Palin will on the TV screen all day.

[RocketSurgery]

I agree. The media pundits will LOVE Palin on SNL, and will be replying it all week, and it will probably trump a Colin Powell endorsement in the news cycle. However, Powell is not completely irrelevant. Despite the way Bush used him, I think people generally view him favorably because of his previous service. I believe his words will fade by days end only because the MSM decides he is irrelevant, and Palin joking around is more relevant to the election than someone who is able to make a well informed decision about who would be a better president.

[Joulanda]

Wrong you are. Powells endorsement will not fade away that fast. Here is what you dont understand. For Powell to endorse Obama is a hugh story not just because it's him but because it's Red Meat for the dogs. See his endorsement is not like any other. It comes directly from the Republican side and he has alot of Conservative support. His endorsement validates the concerns most people had about Obama's foreign affairs experience.

There is'nt but one other endorsement greater than Powells for Obama and that's Bush. We know that wont happen but Powells is the next best thing. Obama will get at least a weeks worth of media hype just watch and see. FYI i also beleive that in the voting booth Condeleeza Rice will vote Obama too!

[Wallysmom]

I agree with some of the posts that asks you, the writer, where are the sources for this guess? It seems a too good to be true story that Powell will endorse Obama. I'm a Democrat and have liked Powell for years but felt he is too much of a loyalist to go out on a limb and reject the Republican candidate so openly. He, in fact, felt such loyalty to the GW administration that he put his reputation and career on the line for W when he moved forward with the "lie" about the WMD. I have always felt that he, himself, was duped and hung out to dry. He could've and would've had a great chance, himself, to be the Republican nominee for President (if the Republicans weren't so old-boy-white-guy). This could be the October surprise that we DON'T want to hear. That he in fact endorses not Obama but his fellow Republican McCain. If he endorses Obama, it could help AND hurt. Remember most will spin it that it is just another Black guy endorsing another Black guy. Please provide sources in the future, not just speculation.

[Herkybird]

Mom...you assume that Powell was loyal to W & Co. I think his many years of being a military man did not give him any option but to follow orders. Its all he knows. If he supports Obama and I hope Lawrence is right on target Palin can catch the next flight home! And if he is it will not be viewed by anyone with any intelligence as black on black. Powell is above that and Obama would not want patronizing. Besides Powell has repudiated the Bush administration publicly since leaving office on the lack of WMD's. That would include McSame

I would not be surprised to see Powell in Obama's cabinet in one form or another.

What say you Lawrence??

[Ranta]

Look, if Larry Wilkerson, his chief of staff ,has denounced this administration for some time, don't you think that Powell harbors much the same feelings? Powell has to vindicate himself from his despicable performance at the U.N.
Unlike Bush, Powell probably doesn't think that history will exonerate himself.

[cranialknowledge]

Colin, you're just figuring out now that Obama is the right choice? I really don't care for what you have to say. Hey, I'm glad you're making the right choice.
However, your spinless behavior in front of the UN council in the lead up to war has left me still smarting. Not to mention you being a character witness for Ted Stevens. Ugh. Stay away from me.

[jptwo40]

Amen!! I couldn't have said it better myself.

[Yuma]

No Spine!

[Prayforchange]

Can't wait to see how McCain/Palin will try and discredit Powell for his endorsement of Obama. Cause you know they and their supporters will try.

What is the answer to the political theorem ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KzbJtG9V2E

[somefool]

No doubt they'll say Powell worked with ACORN.

[imfedup]

They won't say it outright, but they will make it clear that Powell's choice is racially motivated. Rather than hitting him hard, I think they will treat him like a non-issue.

[Paladin55]

If Powell does endorse Obama at this time, it won't be seen as racially motivated, but rather an informed decision, which he (Powell) will say was reached after much deliberation and soul searching. If Powell had immediately endorsed Obama he might have been accused of supporting a "brother" over a fellow Republican simply because of race, but he has had ample time to look at the relative merits of each candidate and reach a conclusion about who will
make a better President.

The fact that Powell has not endorsed either man at this late point in the election makes his endorsement or neutrality much more significan­t.I find it much more likely that he will endorse Obama or choose to remain neutral, than endorse McCain. You can even "spin" a neutral stance by Powell as a small victory for Obama, since the "loyal Republican" Powell will have chosen not to endorse McCain, a fellow Republican and "brother in arms."

My dream scenario is that Powell hints at support for Obama on Meet the Press and then participates in a Monday press conference with Obama in which he officially gives his blessing to the Democrat ticket. It will then be the job of the press and the Obama campaign to make his endorsement an "issue."

[wildishka]

Powell too was involved in taking our country to a WRONG WAR..along with Cheney and Bush.

Why would his endorsement at this hour matter at all? He kept saying that he will not vote for Barack just because he is black?

Excuse me! We are not voting for Barack due to his ethnicity or his fabulous speeches, most of us do carry a great deal of analysis when it comes to issues. Just because we are not elected officials or can not see Russia from our house, does not mean that we are incapable of comprehending Powell's delay for endorsement or McCain Palin's house of lies.

Hopefully truth and honesty will prevail and we will see Obama and Biden in the white house.

People who stood by Barack in the very toddler step of his candidacy do matter. And our other brothers and sisters who joined us a little late-will make a difference.

But Not Powell-who still after debate can not decide!

[CC1]

We all know why he's endorsing Obama.

[imfedup]

Here we go . . .

[theone718]

He will be on MTP Sunday. I think that will definitely be the best time to state who he is for. I will be watching that one attentitively.

[Archivist1000]

You'll have to wade through the replays of Palin on SNL on Sunday Morning. THAT will be the big story.

Was't she cute? Wasn't she funny? Oh what a character! She gets all this airtime, because she won't answer questions or appear on MTP ... so SNL is enabling her.

Makes me sick.

[imfedup]

Calm down. She will be a skidmark in a few weeks, and this whole terrible nightmare will be over.

[TROYnUTAH]

Personally, I think President-Elect Obama should put Colin Powell at the top of his list for Secretary of State or Secretary of Defence. Colin Powell is extremely well qualified. Sen. Obama has said he would reach across the aisle to appoint some Republicans to his Cabinet, so this would accomplish that goal. It would also provide Colin Powell with the opportunity to vindicate himself after the Bush fiasco.

[Ranta]

Sorry, but his capitulation has too much blood on his hands.

[IWoman]

Why is anyone waiting for Colin Powell's endorsement? If he hasn't already endorsed someone, then his endorsement is worthless. My 10-year old doesn't take this long to make a decision.

[juzcuz]

Maybe Powell has decided that after the last big decision he made back when... when THEY led us into war with Iraq because they were certain there were mass weapons of destruction then thousands of dead soldiers later... found out it was a false alarm. Maybe he's being a bit more cautious now so he doesn't blow it again. Course with Obama... it's a wise decision..­.BUT voting for McBush is the stuipdest choise/mistake people can ever make on Nov 4th... it would ruin our world forever.

[hominidx]

It's about timing and news cycles. Earlier points would have a different impact than later ones - sometimes better, sometimes worse.

[imfedup]

It's a huge deal for him to defect from his party on this matter. He was very high profile, even though he's no longer employed with the Bush administration, and he represents a very high level military perspective. Repubs are defecting all over the place. Obama is creaming McCain in major newspaper endorsements, even among papers that have never endorsed a Dem (like the Chicago Tribune). This is a big deal.