Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama!

[DroppinScience]

The media was buzzing that he'd finally announce who he's backing for President (after months and months of being "undecided") today. I was hoping he'd come to his senses and endorse Obama. Sure enough, I was right!

In my eyes, he's redeemed himself.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/19/colin.powell/index.html

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell announced Sunday that he will be voting for Sen. Barack Obama, citing the Democrat's "ability to inspire" and the "inclusive nature of his campaign."

"I think he is a transformational figure, he is a new generation coming onto the world stage, onto the American stage, and for that reason I'll be voting for Sen. Barack Obama," Powell said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Powell said he was concerned about what he characterized as a recent negative turn of Republican candidate Sen. John McCain's campaign, such as the campaign's attempts to tie Obama to former 1960s radical Bill Ayers.

"I think that's inappropriate. I understand what politics is about -- I know how you can go after one another, and that's good. But I think this goes too far, and I think it has made the McCain campaign look a little narrow. It's not what the American people are looking for," he said.

Powell, a retired U.S. general and a Republican, was once seen as a possible presidential candidate himself.

Powell said he has some concerns about the direction of the Republican Party, adding that it has "moved more to the right than I would like to see it."

In regard to the financial crisis, which Powell called the candidates' "final exam," Powell said McCain appeared unsteady in dealing with it, while Obama had excelled in handling the situation.

"Obama displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge," Powell said.

"He has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president," he said.

[ms.peachy]

In my eyes, he's redeemed himself.

I don't know that I can go that far, but I am pleased he has made this endorsement.

[RobMoney$]

While I'll admit it's a pretty significant feather in Obama's cap, Powell does carry some weight with independant voters. I'm also of the opinion that it's not going to mean very much.
I think an overwhelming majority of voters have made their decision by this point and I doubt Powell's endorsement will equal any new votes.

[King PSYZ]

He never fell out of grace with me since he resigned from the Bush admin when he saw the folly of the war in Iraq and nobody would listen to him.

If he would have ran as the republican I might have considered voting for him, he has foriegn policy experience by the truck load, has military support, yet knows to not abuse that source, and inspired a lot of people when he became secretary of state.

If after his split with the party Obama or Hillary had tapped him as a vice... landslide victory. Although the double black guy ticket might not go over so well in some parts of the country.

[D_Raay]

While I'll admit it's a pretty significant feather in Obama's cap, Powell does carry some weight with independant voters. I'm also of the opinion that it's not going to mean very much.
I think an overwhelming majority of voters have made their decision by this point and I doubt Powell's endorsement will equal any new votes.

I completely disagree, I think he sways alot of independent voters who were happy to see him distance himself from the Bush administration, and this comes at a time when they can be pushed over the edge towards one or the other. Especially the ones who have moved towards Obama with the Rovian campaign tactics displayed by the McCain campaign as of late.

[saz]

i won't be surprised if powell will have a place in obama's administration, alongside chuck hagel.

[yeahwho]

While I'll admit it's a pretty significant feather in Obama's cap, Powell does carry some weight with independant voters. I'm also of the opinion that it's not going to mean very much.
I think an overwhelming majority of voters have made their decision by this point and I doubt Powell's endorsement will equal any new votes.

The meaning of Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama and his condemnation of John McCain's campaign tactics is huge.

It carries extreme weight. Thank you Colin Powell for the clarity and the endorsement.

[Documad]

He was gutless when it counted re Iraq. Then he criticized his boss when it didn't count--he tried to rescue his reputation after the fact.

And now he's waited until Obama has all but won the presidency to endorse. Shit, William F. Buckley Jr's kid got there before him.

Powell has the tiniest balls in the history of modern american politics.

But I'm glad for the endorsement.

[yeahwho]

He was gutless when it counted re Iraq. Then he criticized his boss when it didn't count--he tried to rescue his reputation after the fact.

And now he's waited until Obama has all but won the presidency to endorse. Shit, William F. Buckley Jr's kid got there before him.

Powell has the tiniest balls in the history of modern american politics.

But I'm glad for the endorsement.

Agree and would even go further than you did on Powell's presentation of Iraqi WMD presentation leading up to the Iraq war.

But even waiting until today is front page headline news in over 2000 media outlets internationally (http://news.google.com/nwshp?hl=en&tab=wn&ncl=1259019658&topic=h), showing that as much as one may want to say it carries no weight, it obviously carries huge weight in a few thousand publications on earth. It neutralizes a set of lies the McCain campaign generates daily. That is beyond significant and legitimizes the false attacks McCain focuses his leadership on. John McCain has an angry vision of which there is no cohesive center. He has lost his way politically when he needed to find it in the worse possible way.

[DroppinScience]

i won't be surprised if powell will have a place in obama's administration, alongside chuck hagel.

That's an interesting thought. Perhaps going the JFK route in appointing Republicans in key positions?

When I went to sleep last night, I half-thought Powell would choose NOT to endorse either candidate (or maybe even back a third-party candidate, who knows), I wasn't 100% sure he'd choose Obama. It never crossed my mind that he'd back McCain (especially when McCain has been swimming in the gutter with his campaign). I woke up to find my hopes realized.

And yes, I DO think the endorsement can have some sway. There's approximately 8% "undecided" so every key endorsements for Obama from any side of the political spectrum (moderate, sane Republicans or conservative icons like Buckley especially) helps in any way.

[yeahwho]

The really big endorsement from Ralph Nader and Cindy McCain is still forthcoming.

[DroppinScience]

The really big endorsement from Ralph Nader and Cindy McCain is still forthcoming.

Heck, Obama could have chosen Nader to be his running mate and then that way NOBODY could even accuse him of spoiling the election. :p

[RobMoney$]

I guess technically Powell is a republican, but barely.
I wasn't surprised in the least by this news, in fact it was what I expected.

[QueenAdrock]

A quick poll on MSNBC shows Powell's endorsement's effects:

Will Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama sway your vote? * 69266 responses

Yes
60%

No
40%
Not a scientific survey. Click to learn more. Results may not total 100% due to rounding.


Interesting to see...I voted no, and I'm expecting everyone who was dead set on their candidate voted no too. Unless they purposefully wanted to skew results, who knows.

[RobMoney$]

I voted no, and I'm expecting everyone who was dead... voted no too. they purposefully wanted to skew results.

I laughed in my head a little and read it like this the first time I skimmed over it.

ACORN registering more dead folks for this poll?

[DroppinScience]

I guess technically Powell is a republican, but barely.
I wasn't surprised in the least by this news, in fact it was what I expected.

"Technically"? He has a long history of serving in Republican administrations. He was there for Reagan, Bush I, and of course Bush II. He's more moderate than current establishment Republicans would have liked, but if you're a "lifelong Democrat" supporting McCain and Powell is a "moderate Republican" supporting Obama, then chances are you're both along similar ideological lines.

[Documad]

If Barack Obama wins the election and appoints Colin Powell to his administration I will be sorely disappointed. I hope that Obama has better judgment than that. (Bill Clinton let me down during his first 100 days in office but I hoping that Obama will do better.)

Powell purposefully leant his enormous credibility to George W. Bush. We all felt better knowing that Powell was there to advise the guy we thought was a moron. Then Bush used that credibility to fight for the party line even though he knew it was wrong, even though he knew it was dangerous to our safety. Bush probably wouldn't have been elected without Powell's support and Bush damn sure wouldn't have invaded Iraq without it.

If we are lucky enough to swear Obama in as president next January, then we need to send a strong and immediate message to the rest of the world that times have changed. We need to let everyone know that we are going to start acting responsibly in the world at large. Appointing someone who was partly responsible for the Iraq War would be a gigantic mistake. Appointing someone who lied to the UN would be completely stupid.

[DroppinScience]

If Barack Obama wins the election and appoints Colin Powell to his administration I will be sorely disappointed. I hope that Obama has better judgment than that. (Bill Clinton let me down during his first 100 days in office but I hoping that Obama will do better.)

Powell purposefully leant his enormous credibility to George W. Bush. We all felt better knowing that Powell was there to advise the guy we thought was a moron. Then Bush used that credibility to fight for the party line even though he knew it was wrong, even though he knew it was dangerous to our safety. Bush probably wouldn't have been elected without Powell's support and Bush damn sure wouldn't have invaded Iraq without it.

If we are lucky enough to swear Obama in as president next January, then we need to send a strong and immediate message to the rest of the world that times have changed. We need to let everyone know that we are going to start acting responsibly in the world at large. Appointing someone who was partly responsible for the Iraq War would be a gigantic mistake. Appointing someone who lied to the UN would be completely stupid.

I agree with you, there is no excuse for Powell's role in the 2003 invasion, but he himself has now said it was the lowest moment in his entire career. I doubt he'd get a posting in an Obama administration, but even if that were to happen, I'd know that Obama wouldn't use him in the same shameful manner.

[RobMoney$]

If Barack Obama wins the election and appoints Colin Powell to his administration I will be sorely disappointed. I hope that Obama has better judgment than that.

Be prepared to be disappointed then Doc.

Obama says Powell will have a role in his administration (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5isOFwdbq0tsqatW6vJpkDRTI1gMgD93U7KO00)

[Echewta]

I think you are mistaken Rob. There was a typo. Role should be Roll.

[RobMoney$]

I was sort of hoping Doc would comment on this development, considering her statement.