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Colin Powell Endorses Obama

By Jeralyn, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 10:35:00 AM EST
Tags: Colin Powell, John McCain, Barack Obama (all tags)
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Will Colin Powell endorse Obama? Find out Sunday morning when he appears on Meet the Press.

Update: Powell endorsed Obama.

Shorter version: McCain doesn't have a grasp on the economic problems we face and Palin isn't ready to be President, which is the job of the Vice-President. Biden is ready. [More...]

Other comments: He criticized McCain for bringing up Bill Ayers and said Palin is too conservative. He is concerned about the Supreme Court justices they would appoint.

Obama is the ability to inspire, inclusive nature of his campaign, who he is, his substance, he is a transformational figure, he represents a new generation on the American stage.

< More Sunday Obama Endorsements | McCain Scandalized By Obama Campaign's Financial Success >

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    Colin Powell Endorses Obama | 95 comments (95 topical)

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    Talk aboucher anticlimax. (5.00 / 3) (#1)
    by oldpro on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 02:53:28 AM EST
    Who could possibly care?

    Exactly. It was the aluminum tubes that (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by hairspray on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 01:09:25 PM EST
    ended my love affair with Powell.

    Parent
    Maybe some on the right (none / 0) (#2)
    by CCinNC on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 05:49:33 AM EST
    will?  I don't have a sense of that, I'm just hoping. :)

    Parent
    Um (none / 0) (#28)
    by Faust on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 10:54:19 AM EST
    the MSM obviously. Always good to have them on your side.

    Parent
    In a word ... (5.00 / 3) (#3)
    by Robot Porter on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 06:00:35 AM EST
    no.

    Would I care if he did?

    Nope.

    What little respect I had for Powell (and it was very little) evaporated when he offered drawings (!?!) as the proof of WMDs.

    If he does will the media act like it's a big deal?

    Definitely.

    Yawnerific! (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by Robot Porter on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 06:06:57 AM EST
    This is how the Daily News puts it:

    Given Powell's cautious nature, he might decide to make his endorsement of Obama implied, rather than explicit.

    Remarkably bold, I say sarcastically.  And that's exactly what he'll do.

    Parent

    well (none / 0) (#15)
    by connecticut yankee on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 08:42:41 AM EST
    It's a two-fisted endorsement. Says he'll campaign for Obama and he just threw the entire McCain campaign under a bus in his comments.

    Parent
    Is it anything like his ... (5.00 / 2) (#64)
    by Robot Porter on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 01:31:16 PM EST
    two-fisted endorsement of WMDs or the My Lai Massacre?

    Parent
    good one. (5.00 / 3) (#72)
    by sancho on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 04:08:31 PM EST
    powell has exhausted what the repub. party can give him, just as they've used up what they can take from him.

    remember his speech at the philly convention in 2000? nauseating.

    presumably, he's positioning himself to stay at the table.

    given powell's radar for power, this is the surest sign yet that obama is likely to win.

    Parent

    Colin (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by lentinel on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 06:05:10 AM EST
    I think of Colin Powell as a salesman who knowingly sold a product to the American people that he knew to have a lethal defect.

    If I were Obama, I would say, "no thanks".

    Salesman? (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by Fabian on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 07:15:40 AM EST
    No.  He just loyally supported the first four years of the Bush administration.  If you think that is a great thing, I doubt you are an Obama supporter.  If you think that shows serious judgment issues, then why would you trust his opinion?

    Parent
    Salesman - Front-man - whatever. (5.00 / 3) (#23)
    by lentinel on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 09:47:39 AM EST
    Yes. I think Colin Powell has issues.
    Certainly some of them are judgement issues.

    However, on the issue of his sales pitch/infomercial delivered at the U.N., I think what he did was criminal.

    Loyalty to the führer is not a virtue.
    Neither is unbridled ambition.
    It makes people do immoral things and attempt to rationalize them later.

    Of course I do not trust his opinion.

    As I mentioned, were I Obama, I would not welcome his endorsement.

    Parent

    As Steve M (5.00 / 4) (#26)
    by lilburro on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 09:52:30 AM EST
    wrote the other day:

    "Last year his numbers were 77% favorable and only 20% unfavorable.  Find me anyone else with those numbers."

    Powell remains well-respected.  If his endorsement sends undecided people good vibes about Obama, I will take it.

    Parent

    Al Gore could probably beat those #s. (5.00 / 2) (#29)
    by Fabian on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 10:56:12 AM EST
    Gore worked, Powell sat.  Why does he deserve approval for mostly doing nothing and saying nothing?

    I'll never understand some aspects of the American psyche.

    Parent

    Al Gore (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by Steve M on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 11:08:50 AM EST
    in the most recent poll, was 56% favorable, 38% unfavorable.

    I'm not saying you have to like or dislike people because of what the polls say.  But when I'm wondering if my visceral reaction to someone is shared by the public at large, I find polls provide a useful reality check.

    Parent

    Now I know how Bush got elected. (5.00 / 5) (#38)
    by Fabian on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 11:20:02 AM EST
    Ye olde gut check.

    What has Powell done for me lately?  What has Powell done for America lately?  Nothing.  Why do people like him?  Because once upon a time, Powell was somebody they liked and respected.  That is the Powell who is getting those approval ratings - the Once Upon A Time Powell, the Spirit of Powells Past.

    Parent

    Not the reality of Powells Past, though (5.00 / 3) (#42)
    by Cream City on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 11:30:58 AM EST
    since his fast rise through the ranks was a reward for earlier Powell actions such as his significant role in the whitewash of My Lai.  For decades, he has been willing to say and do what he's told to do in return for reward.  What will his reward be this time?  

    But with this late timing in the campaign, it won't really matter to have the endorsement of the man who also endorsed our actions against the Vietnamese and the Iraqis.  At least, I can hope it won't matter, and he won't be Secretary of Defense.

    Parent

    The Media Powell? (5.00 / 3) (#45)
    by Fabian on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 11:41:21 AM EST
    I'm old enough to remember Powell's media appearances when we liberated Kuwait.  I liked that Powell.  He played well to the camera.  He seemed to take his enormous responsibility seriously.

    Compare that Powell to the one who lied to the UN specifically to get their approval.  He didn't just lie to you or to me or to Congress.  He lied to the entire world.  To start a war.  The media never really called him out on that, so the public image of Powell remains largely positive.

    That's the point I can't get past.  Powell lied to the world so Bush could go to war.  Does he really feel any responsibility for what he did?  

    Parent

    Playing to the camera (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by Cream City on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 12:24:03 PM EST
    has become more important than My Lai, Iraq, and more.

    Parent
    Not even the Once Upon a Time Powell (5.00 / 3) (#44)
    by lilburro on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 11:38:07 AM EST
    because as these polls show, nobody can tell the difference between now Powell (disgraced Powell) and Once Upon a Time Powell (admirable statesman).  Oh, to be so widely loved!  I suppose the key is to be a Republican, but seen as moderate, so the RWNM won't destroy you, and the Democrats will be too desperate for a partner from your kind to mount a public attack upon you.

    Parent
    the reality of Powell (5.00 / 1) (#81)
    by coigue on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 08:18:05 PM EST
    has exactly ZIP to do with whether his endorsement will help Obama.

    The favorables (however undeserved) may be predictive.

    Parent

    Do you suppose somewhere there (none / 0) (#52)
    by oculus on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 12:30:01 PM EST
    is a poll on each and every person's favorability rating?  Why is anyone asking whether people view Powell or Gore favorably?

    Parent
    Well (none / 0) (#53)
    by Steve M on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 12:49:42 PM EST
    In the Gallup polls and some of the other polls that get taken regularly, they often ask about a handful of notable people in the news.  This site compiles the polls on virtually every topic and person.

    Parent
    Interesting. No "hits" (none / 0) (#56)
    by oculus on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 12:57:09 PM EST
    for Piper or Todd Palin though.

    Parent
    I think Powell's high favorables are probably (none / 0) (#60)
    by hairspray on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 01:15:14 PM EST
    due to 90% Republican voters and about 30% Dems and indys.  On the other hand, Al Gore has almost no Republican support there and mostly Democratic support.  That is my top of my head take on those numbers. Ninety percent of one of the major party numbers is pretty big in these cases.

    Parent
    Your math (none / 0) (#94)
    by Steve M on Mon Oct 20, 2008 at 01:16:49 PM EST
    does not work out, unfortunately, unless the country is about three-quarters Republican.

    Parent
    Are you sure? (none / 0) (#95)
    by hairspray on Mon Oct 20, 2008 at 10:49:25 PM EST


    Parent
    Powell's favorables 77%? (5.00 / 2) (#57)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 12:58:50 PM EST
    Where and when was that poll done? Steve M didn't cite a source.

    Still, it wouldn't surprise me if Powell's favorables are better than Gore. Powell is an unrepentant boot-lick who plays to both sides.

    This morning, on Meet the Press, he coddled the GOP with his ongoing refusal to condemn the Iraq war; at the same time he curried favor with Obama's constituency by endorsing the Dem nominee. Too bad he didn't have a vial of something ineffable to seal the deal.

    NOTE: Powell said he'd sit down and "talk to the President" if he was offered a position in an Obama Administration.

    Parent

    Obama is "Beyond Humbled" (2.00 / 0) (#78)
    by bridget on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 07:38:41 PM EST
    what else? Any position you want in my administration, Mr. Powell!

    Mark my words!

    Obama and Powell - the perfect match

    Parent

    the people who think like that (none / 0) (#80)
    by coigue on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 08:15:26 PM EST
    are already voting for Obama.

    Powell's endorsement will do two things:

    1. pull some independents to Obama
    2. Make some GOP stay home.


    Parent
    Powell at the UN (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by Oceandweller on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 07:39:48 AM EST
     did looked really sincere in his surprise french PM did not buy the Bush show. Sadly the french and Old Europe in general were right...
    I believe he bought all the fish; bait and hook and when he discovered Bush/Cheney have lied, he just could not bear it. Will it be paybacktime...dunno. Powell is a real stateman, more than the GOP admin. Will he turn his back from McCain who admittedly fought gallantly, dunno.
    But loads of people like me consider Powell more as a Bush-Rumsfeld-neocon victim than a liar. An endorsment for Obama would be great and tells all about our candidate and the crazy McCain-palin ticket.
    Imagine so ...not "I support O." but "I shall never support an unfit candidate, governor or not".Avery elegantly phrase as everyone would read his lips very well indeed...
    For everyone in the US it will translate as
    Palin unfit, McCain unfit since selected Palin
    Obama and Biden fit hence supported by Powell.

    Will it that script: I hope so.

    You're too kind to Powell--look at the results of (5.00 / 6) (#20)
    by jawbone on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 09:35:56 AM EST
    his actions, or lack of actions. Consider how he undercut Clinton. The 100's of thousands of Iraqis are just as dead whether he was blindly loyal or mendaciously lying.

    Parent
    He's laying out the right reasons (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by CCinNC on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 08:10:46 AM EST
    for supporting Obama.  Also brings up McCain's attacks/Ayers.  Says it goes too far.

    FINALLY! (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by CCinNC on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 08:13:57 AM EST
    Someone says, There's nothing wrong with being a Muslim!  

    Powell voting for Obama.

    You mean McCain didn't (none / 0) (#36)
    by Fabian on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 11:11:51 AM EST
    beat Obama to that?

    Now I'm curious as to which, if either, candidate has gone to a Muslim place of worship.

    Parent

    Fabian... (5.00 / 0) (#82)
    by coigue on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 08:20:29 PM EST
    what America do you live in that a Democrat, much less a dark one with a Muslim middle name, can go to a mosque during a campaign and still win?

    Not in my America.

    Sad but true.

    Parent

    I wonder how Muslims feel this election? (5.00 / 2) (#86)
    by Fabian on Mon Oct 20, 2008 at 07:31:21 AM EST
    There may be a separation of church and state, but there's no such separation of religion and politics.

    It's bad enough that various Christian groups get singled out for special attention, but to be Muslim is more than being ignored this election.  It's being cast into a political ghetto, shunned by everyone except the fear mongers.

    We've had at least two GOP mailers with the primary theme of the threat of terrorism, Muslim extremists and xenophobia.  I feel insulted by this approach, but the sad thing is that it must be effective.  When I realize that, I wonder about all the Muslims in our city.  Do they get those mailers too?

    Parent

    Yes they do, and you know what? (5.00 / 1) (#92)
    by coigue on Mon Oct 20, 2008 at 10:34:57 AM EST
    Muslim hate extends to way before 9/11. I had a good friend who was Muslim wwho would tell me about stories some American Christians told their children about Muslims that would mae you think of the wind-up to Nazi Germany. ANd this was in the mid 1990s.

    I was shocked. I had no clue.

    Parent

    I thought the best part of this endorsment (none / 0) (#90)
    by CST on Mon Oct 20, 2008 at 10:09:27 AM EST
    was when Powell called out all the anti-Islam hate that has been circling this election.

    I am torn on my actual feelings for the man, but the fact that he stood up for Muslims publicly means a lot.  And was long overdue.

    My sister just converted to Islam.  She is a pale, white, woman and she got called a terrorist the other day (in Boston - not W. Virginia, or Alabama) because she wears a head scarf now.

    The biggest shock for her is how liberal, well-educated people have responded to her conversion by freaking out.  Unfortunately, that includes members of my family who are somewhat anti-religion.

    Parent

    Three weeks out (5.00 / 2) (#91)
    by Fabian on Mon Oct 20, 2008 at 10:18:49 AM EST
    And only one person has made a stand?

    Powell isn't active in politics anymore, so he has little to lose.  That drumbeat of "Unpatriotic!  Aiding the terrorists!" is still there then.

    It's not as if I expect politicians to rush out and embrace Islam in general, but it would be nice to see some of them publicly embrace American Muslims.

    Parent

    don't forget Campbell Brown. (5.00 / 1) (#93)
    by coigue on Mon Oct 20, 2008 at 10:35:52 AM EST
    That might have had an even bigger impact

    Parent
    Balloon (5.00 / 3) (#10)
    by koshembos on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 08:15:18 AM EST
    Powell is a balloon of hot air. After his Iraq debacle he is a Persona non Grata.

    [shrug] (5.00 / 3) (#21)
    by Fabian on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 09:39:11 AM EST
    He's another GOP tragicomedy.  Doubly so because Powell was never stupid or clueless, yet he was much of a Bush stooge as those in DOJ.

    I'm not sure what he is now - a Concerned Citizen?

    Parent

    Concerned Republican (5.00 / 1) (#62)
    by daring grace on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 01:24:42 PM EST
    I also assume on some level he is trying to mend his own reputation (post Iraq).

    But it does seem like he is still a heroic figure, a trusted statesman figure, to many Americans. (Not me.)

    And his calm but scathing comments about the nature of the Republican Party and the sliminess of the McCain campaign tactics comes across powerfully, even more powerfully, I think, than his endorsement of Obama.

    Parent

    yup (none / 0) (#83)
    by coigue on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 08:21:09 PM EST


    Parent
    good day for obama (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by connecticut yankee on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 08:38:03 AM EST
    Powell on CNN right now:

    Criticizes Bachman's comments and says we need to knock this nonsense off.  Goes after Ayers nonsense.

    a day late and a dollar short.! (none / 0) (#61)
    by hairspray on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 01:23:59 PM EST


    Parent
    Given his reasons for not supporting McCain, would (5.00 / 11) (#19)
    by jawbone on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 09:32:56 AM EST
    Powell have come out for Clinton?

    Riiiiight.

    Is Obama going to offer him a position in his administration?

    Since Obama made his major attack against Clinton that she voted for the Iraq resolution (altho' she gave a thoughtful speech explaining her reservations and her exact reasons for doing so), but then gave the VP nod to Biden (who voted more wholeheartedly for the resolution), will he now find room for someone who gave blindly loyal support to BushCo's awful war and ugly methods? All's fair in love and war--and politics?

    Ought to be interesting.

    How 'bout them $150 Million raised?? Think he's assisting downticket Dems? Helping Clinton with her debt?

    Plough said every penny is necessary to combat the McCain negative ads!

    Public financing is dead for who knows how long, and it took a "Democrat" to go back to Nixonland....

    I will be delighted if Obama turns out to be a liberal president, or a progressive one.  How far will he move away from Reagan policies, which yesterday he said  were the right ones at the time, but then said something sorta garbled about it's no time to not help people, can't just leave them on their own in situations such as today's economy.  But also said can't go back to the old liberalism.

    (What is with Obama's fixation on Reagan?)

    (Labor really appreciated those Reagan union busting tactics, hey? Where does Obama stand on unions and unionizing? When they didn't support him, they were "special interests." Now?)

    And Max Baucus came out against single payer, nationalized healthcare. Aiding and abetting Rockefeller who said there's no money for healthcare--which Obama also said last weekend to 250 large donors at a fundraiser. What will Obama actually do? Will he be freed to be more liberal with a huge win? Or confirmed in his center right positions? Are we getting our first modern Democan or Republidem? The first of the Repubicans in Dem clothing?

    Gee, I'll be glad if Obama just governs as a Democrat. Well, not as a Blue Dog or conservative Dem.... We'll find out soon enough.

    I sure don't know. And it scares me--if we don't do healthcare now, when will it happen in this country? 22nd Century, maybe? Latter part of the 21st C. as we sink into being a huge irrelevance except for our consumption of resources and carbon footprint? As we get poorer, most likely, the more we will justify using coal with all its pollutants. It's here, it's cheaper than R&D...or some justification for not having done the work to develop alternative, far less polluting energy sources. Lots of nuclear? Or will even uranium be difficult for our country to purchase?

    I wish I felt better about this election....

    Jawbone, I hate you for reigniting the things I (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by cpa1 on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 11:16:51 AM EST
    detested about Obama.  No really, I feel exactly as you do, 100%, and that is what got the little shallow animals at the Dailykos to get me banned.

    I watched that Reno/Gazette interview with Obama http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080115/VIDEO/80115026  and I couldn't look at him after that.  He praised Reagan, linked him to Kennedy and linked Bill Clinton to Bush.  When he said Reagan was what the country needed then, and I guess according to you he said it again, I decided I would never vote for this lying opportunist.  Then came the lies about South Carolina and I was ready to vote for McCain.

    Thanks to McCain acting like a hyper-active serial killer, then selecting Sarah Palin for his running mate and finally directing his campaign as any Republican lowlife would do got me back on track.  However, like you I am going kicking and screaming.  Obama doesn't like the Ayers thing but I remember when his surrogate Bill Bradley, who I hate almost as much as I hate Ralph Nader, raised some of the most disgusting guilt by association allegation against Bill Clinton that I have ever seen.  That was guilt by association by association.

    Obama wants us to think about him as our loving sheepdog but that is one arrogant SOB.  Unfortunately, he is a thousand times better than McCain and his bimbo VP.  Anyone who answers, at the Al Smith Dinner, the question about his greatest weakness with, "it's possible that I'm a little too awesome" even in that setting is harboring delusions of grandeur.

    Parent

    Bimbo? (5.00 / 4) (#47)
    by dws3665 on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 11:46:27 AM EST
    Palin is a horrible candidate, but making sexist remarks is not the way to make your case.

    Parent
    It's funny (5.00 / 0) (#65)
    by cpa1 on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 02:31:47 PM EST
    I never thought of it as being sexist, which is probably pretty dumb but she is so far below someone who would have the qualifications to be president that I am angry that my country is putting her forward to the rest of the world. After we gave them Bush, this one is even dumber, if that is possible. But more than that, she's disgusting in her support for all the things that make most of us nauseous.


    Parent
    agreed (none / 0) (#75)
    by dws3665 on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 05:48:18 PM EST
    But it's important not to make her gender part of what makes her unqualified, which calling her a "bimbo" undoubtedly does. Easy trap to fall into and I'm far from perfect on this score myself.

    Parent
    Except for bimbo, you said it all (5.00 / 2) (#63)
    by hairspray on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 01:28:16 PM EST
    right.  I won't go there for obvious reasons.

    Parent
    Here's DCBloggers post about Baucus trying to kill (5.00 / 2) (#69)
    by jawbone on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 03:24:35 PM EST
    single payer in its cradle, from CorrenteWire:

    The Montana Democrat said he will not support a system in which the government covers all consumers equally, a system typically known as "single payer."

    "We are Americans; we're different from Canada, we're different than the United Kingdom," he said Friday in referring to nations with some form of single-payer health care funded by the government. "We have to come up with a uniquely American solution, probably a combination of private and public coverage."

    Baucus says he will lead efforts on healthcare. Heaven help us.

    Hillary! Please help us!

    Parent

    ods (5.00 / 0) (#84)
    by coigue on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 08:23:11 PM EST


    Parent
    nah (none / 0) (#22)
    by borisbor on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 09:44:37 AM EST
    i think he'll be fine.

    Parent
    Who? (none / 0) (#24)
    by lentinel on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 09:49:01 AM EST
    Who do you think will be fine?

    Parent
    Obama will be fine (5.00 / 0) (#31)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 11:00:07 AM EST
    and light years better than the alternative.

    Parent
    Obama will be fine (5.00 / 9) (#33)
    by lentinel on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 11:08:13 AM EST
    I'm not so sure about the rest of us.

    As others on the left and progressives have said, all we can do is hope that Obama will begin to take progressive positions and become the leader that has been projected as his image.

    Parent

    Yeah ... Hope! Hope! Hope! (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by bridget on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 03:11:01 PM EST
    That's all I have been hearing for months now ...

    I understand that this works for the Obamakids but For an experienced adult who isn't born yesterday this should be extremely offputting and childish.

    When did we ever have a Dem candidate who raised so many doubts for voters months and months long before the Dem nomination. Let alone long before the GE. I can't remember one. Not a one.

    What difference does it make then how terrible the GOP rival is ....

    "Obama will be fine!" Should that statement make me and the world feel safe and secure, Jeralyn?

    Calgon take me away ....

    Parent

    If "Hope" is all you've heard (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by Melchizedek on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 04:45:55 PM EST
    I think you need Calgon to improve your hearing. And as for "Obamakids," well, the senior citizens of Florida bid you a hearty hello.

    Parent
    I've heard a few things... (5.00 / 2) (#76)
    by lentinel on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 05:59:44 PM EST
    I've heard Obama say that he'd support a ban on late term abortions - except in the case where it threatens the life of the mother. So - the rich will do what they want to do; the poor will have to go to quacks.

    I've heard Obama say that he wants to send the troops that he might withdraw from Iraq to Afghanistan.

    I've heard Obama say that his religious beliefs do not permit him to support the right of gay people to marry. He has also let us all know that Jesus died for his sins.

    I've heard Obama vote for FISA.
    I've heard him boast about voting for "tort reform".
    I've heard him say that he wants to push what is called, "clean coal technology". A sop to the coal industry - also supported by the arch villain, McCain.

    Exhausting.

    So - since it seems likely that he will be elected, if you don't like the premise that all we can do is hope he will do a turnaround in the progressive direction - maybe we could try the formulation, "keep your fingers crossed".

    Parent

    a ban on late term abortions (5.00 / 0) (#85)
    by coigue on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 08:26:47 PM EST
    except in the case where mom's health is in danger IS THE CURRENt law of the land via Roe. So Yawn.

    Parent
    Did he really say that about Reagan? (none / 0) (#39)
    by Teresa on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 11:20:11 AM EST
    I share your concern about health care. I don't want to take a baby step and consider ourselves running. It will be a long time, if ever, before we have this chance again.

    Parent
    Obama's recent quote about Reagan--from Lambert's (5.00 / 3) (#68)
    by jawbone on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 03:14:09 PM EST
    post at CorrenteWire.com

    "What happened was Democrats had gotten complacent, had gotten fat and happy. they thought there was a government program to solve every problem. Ronald Reagan came in and said we need to break out of the old ways of doing things and create a leaner, more effective government," he said. "That was the right message then. I think that right now we went too far in the wrong direction. We can't go back to the old liberalism of the past, but [when] you are on your own economic philosophy [of] Bush and McCain doesn't work either. Let's try a new way where we apply common sense, have government do what it does well

    And it was way cool that Reagan took the solar panels off the WH roof and killed alt energy R&D. Gee, that worked out so well, right?

    From Obama interview on FOX Friday. He opens with "Ronald Reagan delivered the right message at the right time." OMG!

    Again, St. Ronnie helped with the precipitous decline of labor unions, the soaring deficit, tax cuts which transferred wealth from the middle class to the uber-wealthy, the loss of American focus on alternate energy sources. Right message for the right time??? Wrong message for any time, Senator.

    Listen to the whole interview to get a better flavor for this interview.

    Parent

    YIKES!!! Obama did go back to the Reagan thing (2.00 / 0) (#73)
    by bridget on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 04:13:48 PM EST
    more strongly than ever before.

    You know I almost wish I hadn't seen that.

    Was just reminded again of the SC debate when Obama led HIllary Clinton into that strategic Reagan heated back and forth which he wrongly stated from the start but HC responded and fell for it ...

    And that was his goal. Because no matter what he said  ... folks thought Obama was being wronged by HC which caused uproar among the audience and black voters on his side.

    "We can't go back to the old liberalism of the past ..."

    For heavens sake, what is he talking about?

    My head is hurting from so much cluelessness.

    P.S.Oh, and btw. Mr. Obama, why not ask the people in South America whose fight for democracy led to the suffering and death of thousands because Reagan's "right message" wouldn't allow that to happen.

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    A big deal, to some (5.00 / 2) (#30)
    by Lou Grinzo on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 10:57:19 AM EST
    Everyone, please remember that almost any endorsement is only meaningful to a portion of the electorate.  Personally, I don't give a flying fig if Powell endorses Obama, and not just because I'll be voting for Obama in either case.

    But for a lot of people in the US, this endorsement will mean a lot, and I suspect it will sway some votes.  Enough to tip some barely red state into the barely blue column?  I have no idea, but I'd welcome it.

    Whatever. (5.00 / 5) (#35)
    by Fabian on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 11:09:51 AM EST
    I got tired of the "X endorses Obama!" in the primaries.  

    The funny thing is that I'm still ambivalent, still waiting for something to tip me into the Enthusiastic Obama Supporter camp.  Three weeks out and I'm still waiting.  Powell was never going to do it for me.  Gore didn't do it for me.  Hillary didn't do it for me.  It's all about Obama, not what Jane Blow or Joe Blow say about him.  

    And Obama is still the same old Obama he ever was.  He hasn't changed much at all.

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    Well, don't expect a revelation (5.00 / 3) (#40)
    by andgarden on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 11:25:52 AM EST
    politics is silly enough already.

    My suggestion, and this is what I always do, is to figure out which of the major candidates you agree with more on the issues that are important to you. If that still leaves you unsure, vote your party.

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    Already there. (5.00 / 4) (#43)
    by Fabian on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 11:31:30 AM EST
    I'm voting for the lesser-of-two-evils.

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    Yup (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by andgarden on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 11:44:23 AM EST


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    I'm still sincerely looking... (none / 0) (#88)
    by sj on Mon Oct 20, 2008 at 10:03:40 AM EST
    ... for a reason to vote for Lesser Evil.  I know I'm not voting for Greater Evil.  But I'm heartily sick of voting for any Evil at all.  Obama can seriously get me.  But not by eulogizing Reagan.

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    I've voted my Party (none / 0) (#89)
    by sj on Mon Oct 20, 2008 at 10:08:27 AM EST
    I've worked for my Party.  I've been in the county organization for my Party.  That Party has taken me for granted and no longer values me.  Sometimes I think I have no Party.  

    "My" Party's candidate has no interest in the issues that are important to me.  Not unions, Not workers.  Not health care.  Not separation of church and state.  Not civil liberties.  None.  Do you have any idea how heartsick that makes me?

    Being Not-McCain is no longer enough.

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    Here's why it matters... (5.00 / 4) (#32)
    by EddieInCA on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 11:05:27 AM EST
    It completely undercuts McCain's two main thrusts on his attacks of Obama.  (The only target here is conservative Democrats and Independents, and liberal Republicans, who might be tempted to vote for McCain based on his (McCain's) patriotism.)

    1. Obama is unpatriotic and pals around with Terrorists: Powell inoculates Obama from this charge with his support. What better response than having a 4-Star, Republican, Secretary of State to the current president, say "This guy (Obama) loves this country as much as I do."

    2. Obama lacks judgement based on his associations: Again, Powell inoculates him from this charge with his support.  Too many republicans (Leach, Buckley, etc) are supporting Obama for the "associations game" to play out.  McCain cannot gain traction because of people like Powell supporting him (Obama).


    That's exactly it (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by 1980Ford on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 12:52:57 PM EST
    And it is too possible Powell was thrown under the bus by the neocons because Powell is a genuine Republican, not a neocon. Powell probably believed the evidence he presented to the UN. There was talk of him being a presidential hopeful and the neocons used that to promote the war and they at the same time knew once the truth came out, if it did, Powell's hope for the presidency was ruined. The neocons killed two birds with one stone. They just misjudged the backlash and the overall tainting of the Republican brand.

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    Just another scumbag (5.00 / 4) (#41)
    by hoser on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 11:26:18 AM EST
    Frankly, I couldn't care less what Powell thinks or does.  He lost any credibility for me a long time ago.  In addition, being the father of Michael, whose radical agenda at the FCC was unfortunate to say the least, I'm skeptical of anything he says or does.

    Michael was played (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by 1980Ford on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 12:56:54 PM EST
    The far right had a massive email campaign and pounced on every program (anti-american) they didn't like. Michael for a long time thought these complaints were actual objections from a cross section of America. Maybe he was predisposed to believe that or maybe he should have known better or been more skeptical. But he was played either way.

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    So, like father like son... (5.00 / 6) (#58)
    by FoxholeAtheist on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 01:07:02 PM EST
    The best we can say of Colin Powell is that he got "played" by the Neo-cons. The best we can say of his son, Michael, is that he got "played" by the radical right when he was Chair of the FCC.

    The Bush Admin appointed both Powells, precisely because they were so willing to roll over and get "played".

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    what is the problem? (5.00 / 2) (#48)
    by DFLer on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 11:47:59 AM EST
    good lord...half the comments : ya coulda at least waited to hear from Powell before all the vitriol.

    I though it was a fabulous statement by Powell. He laid out clearly the reasons to vote for Obama and to NOT for for McCain. He sounded a clear and concise message. As someone else stated above, he finally said...so what's wrong with being a Muslim, anyway? He called out the Republicans for their divisiveness and bs, really. It was great, and I think it will help move this country forward from the ugliness that McCain/Palin seem to stir up.

    If only his comment on being a Muslim (5.00 / 2) (#49)
    by Burned on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 12:14:00 PM EST
    brought back all the civilians and soldiers that he helped on their way to being dead with his comments to the UN.

    Obama was winning without Powell. I'd rather not have him and his "good judgement" on our side.

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    " Do anything to win " (5.00 / 4) (#50)
    by Fabian on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 12:17:12 PM EST
    It's totally Obama's call if he wants to reach out to the Right with Powell's endorsement.  (Tell me this wasn't arranged in advance!) But it won't cause me to like either Obama or Powell any better.  

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    Last rat leaves sinking ship (5.00 / 2) (#66)
    by Mitch Guthman on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 02:49:45 PM EST
    This is confirmation that the election is over and Obama has won.   Colin Powell is a rat, but a very careful one.   He would not turn his coat and embrace the new order unless he was very sure that Obama would prevail.  

    This was enormous news for me (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Oct 20, 2008 at 10:01:35 AM EST
    Mostly because I had a great deal of respect for Powell before his U.N. act that delivered the Iraq War.  I was heartbroken, felt very betrayed  a year in.  I always remember that Powell is a retired officer first.  It is HUGE for him to endorse Obama after serving in the Bush administration.  He waited to do it and so be it, he has gone against everything that has been ingrained in him to do this though.  A soldier never defies his CIC.  It simply isn't done.  It presents the appearance of weakness to other global military forces.  I believe it cost Powell soulfully every single day we have all lived and some of us have died though since his U.N. presentation.  He has now done what he could do when he could bring himself to do it in order to champion peace and a kinder, decent, respectful, gentler nation.  I respect him for that.

    heh (none / 0) (#11)
    by connecticut yankee on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 08:28:03 AM EST
    Powell slams Palin. "He's very concerned..."

    It's official eh? (none / 0) (#12)
    by lilburro on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 08:36:14 AM EST
    NYT: Colin Powell

    Can you imagine what people would be saying about Palin if Gen. Clark was the VP choice of Obama?  I doubt McCain would've chosen Palin in that case though.

    So do you think (none / 0) (#14)
    by lilburro on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 08:41:39 AM EST
    Powell will campaign with Obama?  Do we want that?  

    Good to know that Obama has this day wrapped up as far as media coverage goes.  One day down, 16 to go...

    ya (none / 0) (#16)
    by connecticut yankee on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 08:43:42 AM EST
    He said he will.  

    This is gold, whatever anyone on the left personally thinks of Powell. We arent looking for left votes at this point.

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    votes on the left (5.00 / 3) (#25)
    by lentinel on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 09:50:27 AM EST
    Obama hasn't been looking for votes on the left since it became obvious that he would get the nomination.

    Doesn't matter to the people on the left.

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    wait (none / 0) (#18)
    by connecticut yankee on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 09:14:36 AM EST
    correction, that report was wrong.  He just said he won't campaign (I think) but that he will vote for him.

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    For those that don't want to wait (none / 0) (#17)
    by CoralGables on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 09:05:09 AM EST
    for Meet the Press in their time zone
    Colin Powell

    I wonder if this will impact military people. (none / 0) (#27)
    by lucky leftie on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 10:38:11 AM EST
    The military voted GOP in the last 2 elections.  Will this endorsement change any minds?  

    If I'm not mistaken (none / 0) (#70)
    by CCinNC on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 03:37:26 PM EST
    Obama spoke in Fayetteville, NC today, a hugely military town. I'd like to find out how that played.

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    From a blogger who was there (none / 0) (#71)
    by CCinNC on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 03:41:58 PM EST
    he received a warm welcome.

    Right now he's endorsing local and state candidates after thanking the thousands of fans who came to see him but are stuck outside because the building was over the fire code's capacity.

    Apparently speakers have been set up outside so that everyone can listen to the speech.

    He's bringing up Colin Powell's endorsement this morning, and the crowd is going wild.

    "This morning a great soldier, a great statesman, a great American, has endorsed our campaign for president."

    Will search for crowd size/demographics estimates.

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    Not such a warm welcome after all (none / 0) (#77)
    by CCinNC on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 07:28:05 PM EST
    Eleven vehicles parked near the coliseum where Obama spoke had their tires slashed, according to WRAL news.  At least some of the vehicles' owners were attending the event, the article said.  

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    There... (none / 0) (#79)
    by CoralGables on Sun Oct 19, 2008 at 07:55:59 PM EST
    is always at least one nut in every crowd

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    Colin Powell Endorses Obama | 95 comments (95 topical)

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