Reply #142: On what would Obama base his judgment?

[Jai4WKC08]

He doesn't have the information to know whether Powell is peddling BS or not. He either has to trust to Powell's integrity or not -- that's where the judgment comes in.

The fact is, Obama sought Powell's advice. That implies more than just listening to differing opinions. Either that, oR it was just dropping a name to impress voters, maybe fishing for an endorsement.

But you have no idea what authority Powell would be given (since as someone has pointed out, it hasn't happened). It makes perfect sense to take advantage of his connections and the good will he enjoys in many parts of the world, while keeping him on a short leash. Powell would actually be ideal for the part. He never really did anything bad on his own. His only failing was a willingness to go along with what he probably knew to be wrong.