Colin Powell getting ready to endorse -- may pick Obama

[nichomachus]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lawrence-odonnell/colin-powell-is-ready-to_b_134777.html

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 the Bush-McCain approach to Iraq, Iran and the rest of the world.

Powell is a proven liar and, as far as I'm concerned has no credibility - never had any -- but a lot of people put a lot of stock in him, especially Republicans.

If Powell goes for Obama, it will be a giant nail in the political coffin of John McCain.

I also find it hard to believe that he's so on the fence that his decision all comes down to tonight's debate. Anyone who hasn't made up their mind at this point has nothing to say that I'm interested in.

[sofa king]

1. You can tack your reputation to anyone you want, Colin...

...But you'll never get the good part of it back.

[TornadoTN]

2. I'm not sold that he's going to endorse Obama

Powell sold himself and his soul to Bush & Cheney, regardless of the stories about how he was the "lone voice of reason" during the early Bush years. He has done nothing that would lead me to believe he would support Obama in any way, shape or form.

[Pattib]

30. Agree, I have no respect for him. He lied to the U.N. and worse, he lied to us.

Showing those drawings was the nail in the coffin, for me at least. Powell knew the CIA didn't have the goods and he let himself be used by Bush & Co. Unforgivable, IMO.

[olkaz]

44. Plus he has nothing to gain from it.

I don't know why we're even talking about this scumbag.

[torbird]

78. He'll endorse McCain...

...but he'll hold up a picture of Obama and shriek "This IS John McCain! I have the evidence RIGHT HERE!!!! McCain!!!! Aluminum tubes!!"

[TornadoTN]

93. Bwhahahaha!! That's frickin' priceless

And not far from the truth either.

I would be very surprised if he did endorse Obama. It doesn't square with his history or his typical M.O. Makes more sense for him to endorse McCain and then that campaign can use it as their "I'm A MAVERICK!!!! AND THIS IS MY COMEBACK!!!" message.

[central scrutinizer]

98. He's proven to be a rank opportunist

He'll probably hold his finger in the wind, judge what is in it for him, then "endorse" somebody. Or he may decide that he gets the most traction by not endorsing anybody and letting everybody try to figure out what that means.

[rebel with a cause]

113. I think powell will endorse mccain.

What better way to help convince the people that mccain wins the third debate and has proven that he is the best leader for the country, than with a statement from one of the last military men that some people respect. What better bit of bullshit to throw on the mccain is not a racist fire, than to have powell endorse him and say mccain is not racist and he and palin have done nothing wrong with thier race baiting rallies. Yeah, I think powell will endorse mccain.

If he proves me wrong and endorses Obama, I will rethink whether or not I will capitalize his name in the future.

[Ichingcarpenter]

3. He's a War Criminal

and a coward

[sellitman]

49. Precisely!

I don't think having a war criminal supporting your campaign is anything Obama wants or needs.

[jefferson_dem]

4. I remember Powell saying he wouldn't endorse before the debates have concluded.

I, for one, hope Powell gets out there for Obama. He commands great respect from the American public (DU notwithstanding perhaps) and his endorsement would be the final nail in McCrypt's coffin.

[TornadoTN]

7. I urge people to temper their expecations - this guy is the biggest political whore there is

This is the same guy that has done everything for political expediency and for his own personal gain throughout his career. Everything he has done has been at the behest of the interests of some other party. From the My Lai Massacre to the UN testimony with little prop vials of powder, don't put any trust or hope behind Powell.

[No Elephants]

21. Well, first he said he'd endorse when they had both picked VP's. So, apparently, any excuse for

delay is fine with General Colon.

[Occam Bandage]

5. Whatever. Powell's a coward. If he were half the man

he was been made out to be, he would have turned in his resignation the hour they asked him to embarrass himself and this country in front of the United Nations.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

11. I have been saying the same thing all along. He has demonstrated a

lack of courage throughout. Even his endorsement which he can keep as far as I'm concerned could have come a lot sooner. I think he's been a boot licker from day one from Vietnam through Reagan and Poppy Bush.

[Fire_brand]

66. LET'S TONE DOWN THE RACISM A BIT

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

77. What the fuck are you talking about? nt

[Fire_brand]

81. "boot licker" nt

[Forkboy]

83. A boot licker is a just a toadie. Nothing racist about it.

I've used it for years directed at anyone who brown noses it through their careers. Powell is just one example.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

87. Damn, we replied at the same time. I appreciate you understanding what I said. nt

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

104. Brown nose?

How dare you, sir!

[Forkboy]

124. Don't joke, I was honestly expecting someone to say that when i wrote it.

We've got to get out of this place. We've been here too long. :D

[rebel with a cause]

107. I have to agree with you, and I am always talking about

people using coded words. But a "boot licker" goes way back, and I suspect it originated in the military. According to Playground Slang.com the definition is Boot-licker, brown-noser, suck-up, or sycophant.

http://www.odps.org/glossword/index.php?a=term&d=4&t=6854

[Hieronymus]

112. Of course, you're right. Some see racism everywhere.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

84. It doesn't have shit to do with race. In spanish we say "lambe botas" to anybody who's

an ass kisser to the rich and powerful to get ahead in life (regardless of race). Given that I'm Afro-Caribbean just like Mr Powell's ancestors I don't see how I can be racist to myself. So let's cut the bullshit. Harry Belafonte called him much worse go take it up with him.

[rebel with a cause]

108. What part of the Caribbean are you (your heritage) from?

Way off subject but it is the one place out of the country where I have been, and I have known quite a few people from the Caribbean in my past life in NYC. Also did some studies that included some of the islands and countries in that region.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

109. Puerto Rico. My grandfather's family moved from Spain to Cuba then PR.

My grandmother was an African American woman born and raised in Puerto Rico. We don't know as much about her heritage as we do my grandfather's but it's a safe guess that her ancestors came from West Africa.

I know that I probably gave you more information than you wanted but I felt like sharing.

[rebel with a cause]

118. Ah, Puerto Rico...

My ex husband was Dominican. My best friend in NYC was my neighbor who was Puerto Rican, my next best friend was also a PR woman whose daughter went to pre-K with my daughter. Everyone thought the two girls were either sisters or cousins. Most of my neighbors/friends there were of Puerto Rican heritage. Family there Dominican, friends there Puerto Rican.

My ex also had African heritage, but his was perhaps further back and easier for him to deny. The other parts of his family came from Spain and who knows where. (I have some of my family untraceable also) His one grandmother, in fact, supposedly came for Puerto Rico. My ex lied so much that I have to always put the supposedly in there unless certain people in his family also tell me it is true, which I think they have. I have been away from my old NYC neighborhood for twenty-seven years now and I still miss those ladies and my life there. Wish I had never left.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

119. I don't know if you're familiar with the saying "¿Y tu abuela donde esta?

It literally means where's your grandmother at? Which figuratively means where do your ancestors come from. It's a way of making fun of people who try to hide their heritage. Unfortunately we have a lot of that. I was always taught to embrace my heritage even though i could have tried to deny it like most people. I am such a "mutt" that you really can't tell what's what.

My ex lied so much that I have to always put the supposedly in there unless certain people in his family also tell me it is true, which I think they have.

I'm sorry to hear that but I have to admit it made me laugh the way you put it so bluntly. :-)

What neighborhood in NYC did you live in?

[rebel with a cause]

120. I wrote you a very long response and when I went to post it, it disappeared.

NO!!! Can't do all that again. You are so lucky.

I am, if anything, blunt. I get lost beating around the bush. ;)

I grew up with too many skeletons in the closet and I hated it. I agree with your family, be proud of who and what you are. My motto has always been "Don't do anything you will be ashamed of, and don't be ashamed of anything you do." Anyway, I am also a type of 'mutt', mostly different Europeans and two Native American groups thrown in (not sure of what else), but am classified as white. My ex is also a 'mutt' with so many different groups in his heritage that none of us are quite sure what all is there, and if you study the history of DR you soon see why. They have a history of 'whitening' their families through marriage, and like your saying about the grandmother, they have one that says basically that every Dominican family claims at least one Swiss ancestor. My ex does.

I was the one that went back to NY a few years ago and talked with my ex's siblings and found out for sure that the one grandfather had been of African heritage. My children had always suspected it, and I had already taught them to be proud of it, so it came as a relief to finally know for sure. I was so tired of their father and my family denying that this heritage existed. I don't understand people who are so afraid of accepting who they are.

You are probably like my children when you say you can't tell what's what. My daughter is often taken for Latina or Asian. My son is taken for Middle Eastern, Latino and/or bi-racial. Edited to add that my family keeps insisting that they look white. OMG :eyes:

My ex is listed on his passport as being Indian and he uses this to claim his racial identity, but Indian in DR is used to classify skin color and not your ethnic heritage. I don't argue with him over it, let him claim what he wants, but he hates that I know this stuff now. :7

[WhollyHeretic]

86. uh...what?

That is not a racist term.

[Occam Bandage]

100. Oh lord Jesus fucking Christ.

[Hieronymus]

111. Racism? HUH?

[Essene]

14. Tenet lied to him... give him a break

He was effectively censored by the White House after refusing to make half the statements they wanted in the UN speech.

He knew USA was going to war... and he's a soldier, so he backed down and zipped his mouth.

I dont agree with that, but i find it obnoxious how this man has called out the Bush admin on so much stuff yet folks insist on still attacking him.

[nichomachus]

16. Did Tenet force him to cover up the MyLai Massacre too? n/t

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

25. I wonder if he also forced him to cuddle up to the right wing despots in El Salvador

when he worked for the Great Bullshitter Ronald Reagan. (I think I have exceeded my quota for the word bullshit today.)

[nichomachus]

31. When you're talking about Reagan

you can never use the word "bullshit" too much.

[Left Is Write]

73. My mother was slightly more generous in her terms when I was younger...

She used to say, "Apparently, Ronald Reagan is a much better actor than anyone ever gave him credit for."

Now? She'd probably just condense it down to "Bullshitter."

:)

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

23. "This is bullshit" Those are his words not mine.

He was quoted as saying that about the UN circus...I mean report the night before he presented it. He knew it was bullshit he went ahead with it anyway. He was a civilian at the time and there is no excuses for that. Fuck him.

[Essene]

68. he fought to remove half the stuff the white house tried to make him say.

he called most of it BS, but tenet and CIA/NSA folks insisted the rest was true.

INSISTED.

he drew the line on the nuclear claims, which is why they didnt go into his speech.

as he's publicly said, folks HID the "burn notices" on the bogus intel he was being told was 100% true.

he did his job. he fought back. he may have remained skeptical, but there he was with the CIA and NSA insisting all that nonsense was true... and some a**holes were hiding the contrary intel.

that's why he now calls for an investigation with criminal implications.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

76. Oh he INSISTED. Well that changes everything. Look all you had to do

was listen to the entire speech. I did and I'm sure you did too. Within an hour of doing some research I could debunk half the shit. He's a grown man with all these years of experience. He threw whatever integrity he might have had left out the window to kiss ass the same way he has done his whole career. The devil made me do it excuse won't do this time.

He's calling for investigations now the same way that republicans are now calling for regulations after the fact. He believed what he wanted to believe. I don't know why you're spending so much time defending this clown but to each his own. The only reason why he's backpedaling now is because he wants to save his sorry ass legacy. That's why he's now calling for investigations.

I can see where you're coming from and maybe you're just more generous than I am. But you also have look at where the rest of us are coming from as well.

[MattBaggins]

97. No he did not do his job

His job was to the people of America. His job should have been to say "Hey this is a load of BS. I will not go before the UN and lie like this. Here is my letter of resignation.".

[Occam Bandage]

33. That's kind of my point, in there.

He knew the US was going to war. He knew the costs and risks of war. He knew he was being censored by the White House. He knew that at minimum they weren't telling the whole story. He knew that the war plan's lack of exit strategy and overwhelming force was going to lead to a disaster.

He had two options:

1. Shut up and go along with it, knowing he was likely going to cause significant damage to the United States in the process.

2. Resign. Maybe tell the truth; maybe let your silence speak for you.

He was once a soldier. Yes. A soldier is duty-bound to follow all lawful orders. This is not the situation with Colin Powell in 2002. He was a private civilian when he was in the White House, and frankly I'm not impressed with any civilian Bushie who admits they knew they were fucking over the country but voluntarily did it anyway out of greater loyalty to George Walker Bush than to America or her Constitution.

[Forkboy]

85. Yes, we get that you don't like Dems speaking out about anything.

Racism? Don't "take the bait".

Powell? How could we attack him after all he's done for us?

:eyes:

[MattBaggins]

96. Oh please spare me

Colin knew full well he was selling a big steaming pile of BS.

[Schulzz]

6. I would not be surprised if the Obama campaign has planned the endorsement...

after the third debate from the debate from the start. Not that I really care about him.

[CitizenPatriot]

57. bingo. we have a winner.

I'm only sorry they waited now. This has nothing to do with race and EVERYTHING to do with judgment.

and Powell was lied to, for whatever that's worth. His reputation ruined...Not everyone could see what those people were, but at least he came to his senses more than most of them.

Medals of courage and honor need to go out to certain Republicans and Democrats who stood up to this Fascist admin -- like the attorney generals who refused to falsify their investigations into "voter fraud" in spite of enormous pressure..yeah, the ones who got fired over it.

[quiller4]

122. We may not care about Powell but many independents still do

and if Powell announces his endorsement of Obama after this last debate, it could really help in some of the battleground states with high propulations of military and retired military. It could really help in Virginia and may have an impact in Florida and Georgia.

[irish.lambchop]

8. If he does endorse Obama,

I wonder how the republican base will portray Powell. I will forever remember Powell showing cartoon drawings at the U.N. to support invading Iraq. The less heard from Powell, the better.

[Essene]

9. Colin Powell called for a criminal investigation into the White House to see who hid WMD intel

Stop bashing him.

[Essene]

12. he also said to shut down Gitmo

[Essene]

13. he also said Bush ignored commanders

[TornadoTN]

Powell sticks his finger in the air to see which way the wind is blowing

I haven't seen any investigations started and I haven't seen Powell pushing for it in any major or credible outlets.

The guy has a long track record of falling in lockstep with whatever his puppet masters at the time thing he should do. I don't trust him.


Maybe all will be forgiven once he comes out and endorses Obama and sets the record straight on a lot of things that he has to answer for through his career. Until then, his endorsement or lack thereof is meaningless.

[Essene]

67. bullcrap. you're just denying the truth... because you're wedded to your hate

i guess getting up on Meet the Press and explicitly calling for these investigations isnt "pushing for it in any major or credible outlet."

drivel.

[WhollyHeretic]

72. Wow. Someone has a bit of a Crush on Powell.

Sorry your hero is a scumbag.

[TornadoTN]

90. Hahaha, how are you going to feel tommorrow when your hero endorses McCain?

It would be a earth-shattering event if he endorsed Obama. It would make the first time in his life he has done something on his own rather than from cues from someone else.

He'll throw you some scraps to make you think he's moderate - AFTER the fact - but at the end of the day, he's still one of the men who brought us into this mess we are in today.

[MattBaggins]

101. Hey how about AOL/TimeWarner?

How about sitting on the board of a company that his son fast tracked and rubber stamped the merger approval for? Resigning from the board the day after the approval cashing in on millions. Quite the paragon of ethics ain't he?

[WhollyHeretic]

43. I know. I mean c'mon people. Just because he lied and was a big factor

in starting a war in which hundreds of thousands have died is no reason to bash him. Him calling for an investigation after the political winds had shifted washes all that blood right off his hands.

[Essene]

62. Nonsense.. I wont FORGET Powell's UN speech, but he's gone a long ways to speak truth to power

And all the people crying about how evil he is are exactly the kinds of folks who make the Dems a mainstream joke.

He got swamped by liars.

[WhollyHeretic]

70. No spineless centrist fools who suck up to him are the joke.

[TornadoTN]

91. Maybe you need to find another site - calling dems a "Mainstream joke" is kind of against the rules

Besides, it doesn't really endear yourself to the people here who see through Powell's opportunism and cronyism.

If he was half the man you make him out to be, he would have stood up to Bush and his crowd and refused to go through with his part in the great charade.

[BumRushDaShow]

10. It's too late.

When Edwards was dangling his endorsement like a jewel, he waited too long and by the time he did it, it became irrelevent.

The rumors of a supposed "Powell endorsement", which seem to have appeared almost every week for the past couple months, have become a joke.

[WallStreetNobody]

15. At least Powell has admitted to the fraud in the Bush administration

well to some degree at least. Let's not look a gift horse in the mouth, this is a great endorsement from a man who is by far one of the foremost experts on foreign policy and the military regardless of what you think of him because of his actions while under Bush.

[No Elephants]

17. With all due respect to this self-important asshat, who cares whom he endorses? Especially at this

late stage of the game? He said months ago that he would choose a candidate when they had both picked their VP's, as though that is the decisive issue of this campaign. Well, McCain picked Palin a while back. Apparently, Powell missed the news. Who gives a rat's tail whom he endorses? The man who thought it was okay to lie to the world about Iraq, so long as George Tenet's face was on camera too. Lying ass coward.

[nc4bo]

18. Please STFU Powell. He endorses AFTER testifying in support of Ted Stevens?! Thnx but No Thnx.

http://aprn.org/2008/10/10/colin-powell-testifies-in-support-of-ted-stevens/

Colin Powell testifies in support of Ted Stevens

Fri, October 10, 2008
Posted in Alaska News, Top Stories

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell says Alaska Senator Ted Stevens’ reputation for integrity and truth is “sterling.” The four-star general testified today as a character witness in Stevens’ federal trial. Alaska’s senior Senator faces seven felony counts of lying on his financial disclosure forms. He’s accused of taking more than $250,000 in gifts, mostly from oil field services company Veco.

Libby Casey, APRN - Washington, DC

~or~
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/10/stevens.trial/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

[Orsino]

32. Yep. A Powell endoresement is nothing to wait up for.

War pig.

[Avalux]

19. I don't care. Obama doesn't need him.

When I heard he was a character witness for Ted Stevens, I was disgusted. Powell has no spine.

[ClarkUSA]

20. Powell's endorsement will sway moderate indies and undecideds towards Obama

The thinking among them will go somewhat along these lines: "Gee, if General Powell trusts Barack Obama to lead the country,
who am I to question him?" Watch for freeper heads to explode. Heh.

Note: I've detested Powell for years but I am pragmatic enough to recognize the general election political value of his endorsement.
We have an election to win, folks.

[nc4bo]

22. How? Haven't people been following the Ted Stevens fiasco in Alaska?

Says Ted Stevens' word is "sterling" - no way, not now.

[workinclasszero]

27. No kidding

What good is his endorsement now?

[Ichingcarpenter]

34. He endorsed Ted Stevens honesty and integrity... Powell is a Republican.... fuck him

GET IT? HE'S A REPUBLICAN!

[ClarkUSA]

36. My goal is to get Obama elected. I like anything that is not illegal that contributes to that end.

Powell's endorsement will give Obama credibility with a certain sector of undecideds who do not have the hatred for
Powell that some in the Democratic base do. For that slice of the electorate, such an endorsement would go a long
way in swaying them towards Obama.

[TornadoTN]

40. Please tell me why Powell would endorse Obama?

There just isn't any evidence that would lead to this conclusion. When you look at this history he flirts with being a moderate and distances himself on some issues, but he's always doing their bidding when push comes to shove.

This is a perfect storyline for McCain if he gets the endorsement and the reward is far greater for Powell if McCain wins.

[ClarkUSA]

46. As you said, there's no evidence he will do so however I was not addressing that aspect.

I was only addressing the political usefulness of such an endorsement. However, the unlikeliness of McCain winning
is another factor to look at when examining the issue, as I doubt anyone, much less Powell, will want to back a losing
horse.

[TornadoTN]

53. That's true - I didn't mean to seem like I was calling you out

But your point about the losing ticket is a good one. That's about the only one I can think of that would make sense. I think it far more likely that Powell wouldn't endorse anyone this cycle rather than throw in with Obama and lose his right-wing appeal.

[ClarkUSA]

55. No problem.

I know things get lost in translation on the internets. ;)

<< I think it far more likely that Powell wouldn't endorse anyone this cycle rather than throw in with Obama and lose his right-wing appeal.>>

I somewhat agree with you, although Powell did sorta promise he'd come to a decision after the debates. And of course, he has his
black community appeal to think of, too...

[nichomachus]

39. No -- WE have been following it

Go down to the mall, stop the first 10 people you see, ask them who Ted Stevens is. Unless you live in Alaska, I doubt that even one of them would know.

[TornadoTN]

24. I do agree with this assessment, at least on what few undecideds there are left

At this point, the undecideds that are still out there have already picked a candidate that they like and will most likely vote for. A Powell endorsement would sway some of those few that are leaning McCain to rethink their vote, but I'm still not sure it's going to have any real effect on the election.

But as for Freeper heads exploding - that will be a thing to behold when their hero soldier finally breaks ties with them. They'll scream, "He only did it because he's a black man!" or "Powell can't go back to the black community if he doesn't support him!"


But I'm still very cautious on this - he could just as easily endorse McCain. There really is no evidence either way at this point.

[ClarkUSA]

41. And I agree with you that this story, like many others, has no evidence to back it up.

<< But as for Freeper heads exploding - that will be a thing to behold when their hero soldier finally breaks ties with them.
They'll scream, "He only did it because he's a black man!" >>

Yes, isn't that so predictable? :)

[Essene]

63. Agreed... and what REALLY doesn't matter is the out-of-touch hate on DU

[Essene]

64. MOST IMPORTANTLY... he's one of the most well respected Military guys in the USA

[TheZug]

26. This column is just speculative bullshit.

[TornadoTN]

29. Agreed. Powells track record is to coddle up to the GOP and play nice

It's been his M.O. since his Vietnam (My Lai Massacre days). He flirts a little bit with being a "moderate", but when the chips are down he always sides with those who put the most on his plate and that's the GOP.

This article is bullshit anyway - there's no proof he's leaning Obama aside from he's black! Why would Powell break his sterling track record of being a GOP enabler now?

[demokatgurrl]

28. As you've noted....

"Powell is a proven liar and, as far as I'm concerned has no credibility - never had any -- but a lot of people put a lot of stock in him, especially Republicans."


And for this reason, I would not be AT ALL surprised if he picks McCain. He's a weasel like the rest of them. No guts.

[CreekDog]

35. The endorsement would be great, but I'm tired of the kabuki dance that goes on to get it

Powell should know enough about the candidates and the issues to have made up his mind months ago. The idea that statements made during a debate changes his mind would reveal him to be a pretty shallow person.

That said, I understand the timing being much more useful now than months ago, but I hate the idea that he is still undecided even today. Ridiculous.

[TornadoTN]

37. Powells endorsement (of McCain) will be the cornerstone of his "comeback"

That's the only notable endorsement or event that could have any impact on the election in McCain's favor. Make no mistake, Powell is a Republican and has been licking GOP boots since Vietnam all the way through Reagan, Poppy, and W. Why would that change now?

I can see it now - the McCain advertisements and rallys will feature Powell as the main attraction. "He's a maverick! He opposes Bush on a lot of things! Didn't even like the war! AND HE LOVES US!!!" They'll trot him out there and he will give a rousing speech urging people to vote for McCain because he's "A MODERATE THAT CAN GET THINGS DONE, LIKE ME!"

Get ready people - that's the only reason that this is even coming out now. They plan on using him again - his usual role - to try to draw the election closer and get in news even more than they already are. The media is probably already writing glowing stories about this event right now.

[theothersnippywshrub]

38. Powell is lying if he says that he needs to see the debates in order

to make a decision on who to endorse. He has met with both candidates and knows each extremely well. He also could pick up the phone anytime he wanted to and schedule a marathon meeting with either candidate at any place or time he desired.

[TornadoTN]

42. It's more Powell posturing as a "soldier of the people"

He wants to be important. The GOP has always loved him and they have always used him as they see fit. They are doing so again.

His endorsement will go McCain and it will give him a whole new narrative about how big of a maverick he is if he can get Colin Powell's endorsement. It's very simple to connect the dots.

[winston61]

45. Show me one person who gives a shit about anything this

discredited bozo has to say. He can endorse Herbert Hoover for all I care. His adventures with George and Dick have put the shit stain on him he wear until he is dead. In his obituary they will mention his bullshit U.N. speech. Go away Colin, no one cares.

[Democat]

47. I hope Powell will endorse Obama and not pull a Lieberman!

Let's hope that Powell does what is right instead of going with who is probably offering him a lot of money behind the scenes.

[WinkyDink]

48. Colin Powell is so past history. He's a nothing, a traitor, a liar, a "shock-and-awe"-monger.

[nc4bo]

59. I didn't feel this way earlier - it was after he "sterling'ed" Ted Stevens

when I said :wtf: are we eagerly anticipating Powell's endorsement for.

Previously I thought ok, he just might turn on some Indies and Undecideds. Not so much now.

[Essene]

65. a character witness for a political scoundrel

he said his integrity and commitment to truth was "sterling."

i hate ted stevens.

i could give a crap about folks returning favors to him, because character witness statements mean nothing.

[TornadoTN]

92. Yet you somehow get all riled up about people calling Powell out for what he is?

Your hero said a crook and a man that did a whole hell of a lot to destroy this country had a sterling reputation when it comes to integrity and his commitment to truth.

Seems to me that Powell just can't make up his mind which side of the bed he wants to sleep on.

[graywarrior]

50. The dutiful Liar?

Big deal.

[nolabels]

114. He obviously likes to wait for the most opportune time to spew his bilge

Tough as of late, he seems to have lost his touch a bit much

[jobycom]

51. I won't hold that against Obama. Funny how Powell can use an endorsement

of someone else to get attention for himself. He switches sides so often I doubt he even knows the difference anymore.

[AzNick]

52. A McCain endorsement would do nothing ... an Obama endorsement ...

Would be yet another nail in the coffin.

[olegramps]

54. I don't know what to believe

In 2005 he told Barabra Walters that although he had no knowledge of any connection of Iraq with 9/11 that he fully supported Bush's preemptive invasion of Iraq.

Then in 2007, at a conference in Aspen, CO he told a reporter that he argued with Bush for 21/2 hours against invading Iraq.

[calico1]

56. I'm surprised he doesn't wait until Nov 5th.

What a stand. Wait until the polls pretty much determine the winner and then make an endorsement....like it really matters at that point.

[Colobo]

58. I'd welcome his endorsement.

[bmbmd]

60. A Powell endorsement of Obama

would be a big deal indeed, but it's not going to happen. Powell's future depends heavily on the Republican party, and he will not jeopardize that.

[immoderate]

74. What future? Powell is 71 years old.

If he does anything, it will be in the foreign policy field. That will be Obama's territory for the next eight years. Powell will not run for office. Obama is going to reach out to some Republicans. Powell may be a good emissary to someplace.

Plus: I think Powell can bring in some votes.

Minus: Powell cannot be trusted.

--IMM

[Tutankhamun]

61. I hope he makes an endorsement and the press ignores him completely.

[Blu Dahlia]

69. I hope he doesn't endorse. The media will make it about race

so it's not worth it.

[Virginia Dare]

71. Powell wants to be on the "right" side of history no doubt..

and he's probably pimping himself or one of his kids for a job in an Obama administration. He has about as much credibility with me as McCain does. He'll probably sway some moderate repubs to come out for Obama though,which is a good thing I guess. LANDSLIDE=MANDATE.

[President Decider]

75. Powell will go with the popular Obama in effort to try to restore his image/integrity

For him, it will all be about restoring his brand.

[noonwitch]

79. If he endorses Obama, that will have some weight with independents

It won't hurt Obama, it can only help. It would put another nail in McCain's campaign.


Unfortunately, white GOPers will be very ugly about it if he does endorse Obama-they'll claim he did it because they are both black.

[rufus dog]

80. You know there was someone else who used these types of

tactics in the past. Got into trouble, pulled the mea culpa, walked the balance beam between both sides to get attention, had both sides cater to his whims.

The guy turned out to be a real asshole of a Senator from AZ.

[Gold Metal Flake]

82. Powell testified in support of Ted Steven's good character just last week.

What, he grew a conscience since then?

[Forkboy]

88. And I'll put his endorsement right up there with Hitchens'.

:P

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

89. I hear that Zombie Richard Nixon might endorse soon. n/t

[NJmaverick]

94. From a purely selfish view, Powell would be better off in the Obama camp

it would help him to restore some of his lost credibility with independents and Democrats.

[newyorklenny]

95. Powell

If we don't have respect for Powell, can we be supporting Biden who voted for the resolution?

Of course Powell could have resigned, but he probably figured, that as messed up as the administration was, it would be better for the world if he stayed there as long as possible, trying to counteract Rumsfeld and Cheney.

[bullwinkle428]

123. Show me where Biden actually presented a load of evidence

that he knew to be untrue, as the justification for going to war!

Thanks for playing "Really Bad Analogies"!

[windbreeze]

99. He's a tool...and after learning about his part in the My Lai investigation.

he has nothing to say that interests me...that he is still so important to the Republicans says a lot about them...wb

[tomp]

102. if obama has any integrity he will reject that endorsement.

powell is a war criminal and bush enabler. it's not arguable.

[Bonobo]

103. Fuck that enabling piece of shit. nt

[jberryhill]

105. Colin Powell is irrelevant

He traded away his relevance long ago.

Enjoy your handful of magic beans, Colin.

[RadicalTexan]

106. What you said.

[CakeGrrl]

110. Meh. Wake me up when *General Petraeus* endorses! n/t

[budkin]

115. Colin Powell has absolutely no credibility

[trashcanistanista]

116. He does more good to Obama by endorsing McSame.

That's like if * endorsed Obama. Ewwww, just ewwww. Filthy lying war monger that he is. I don't even want him in the same room as Obama.

[goletian]

117. theyll just say its because theyre both black. stupid conservatives. nothing changes their minds.

[my3boyz]

121. Whatever..If he endorses Barack they will just say it is because they are both black. nt

[akbacchus_BC]

126. Senator Obama should strongly denounce Colin Powell, that's my

opinion. Powell should go endorse McOld and get lost already!

[akbacchus_BC]

125. It would be really nice if fellow DUers do not give any credibility

to Colin Powell! Please do not boost his ego, Senator Obama does not need a lying piece of scum to endorse him at the nth hour. Powell should go fucking apologise to the Iraqis, dead or alive.

I honestly dislike seeing this kind of posts towards Colin Powell and please, spare me Condi Rice!

Peace

[RichardRay]

127. There was recently a thread in which the concept of 'honor'

was discussed for a few posts.

I'd like to point out that, for the people who are part of Colin Powell's 'honor group' he is widely admired and considered a deeply honorable man. For others who are members of a different 'honor group' that world view is incomprehensible. Be that as it may, if he endorses Barack it will be important to a certain group of people and we'll get more votes from it.

Let it go at that...

[Bucky]

128. Recovery is a twelve step program, General. I'll wait to see your next eleven!!11!!