Obama: Powell Will Be An Adviser

[sabra]

Source: CBS News/AP

Democratic Candidate Says Former Secretary Of State Could Have A Formal Role If He Wants It

(CBS/AP) Colin Powell will have a role as a top presidential adviser in an Obama administration, the Democratic White House hopeful said Monday.

"He will have a role as one of my advisers," Barack Obama said on NBC's "Today" in an interview aired Monday, a day after Powell, a four-star general and President Bush's former secretary of state, endorsed him.

"Whether he wants to take a formal role, whether that's a good fit for him, is something we'd have to discuss," Obama said.

Being a top presidential adviser, especially on foreign policy, would be familiar ground to Powell on a subject that's relatively new to the freshman Illinois senator. Obama has struggled to establish his foreign policy credentials against GOP candidate John McCain, a decorated military veteran, former prisoner of war and ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

In the NBC interview, Obama said Powell did not give him a heads-up before he crossed party lines and endorsed the Democratic presidential candidate on the network's "Meet the Press" a day earlier.

In that interview, Powell called Obama a "transformational figure" in the nation's history and expressed disappointment in some of McCain's campaign tactics. But, Powell said, he didn't plan to hit the campaign trail with Obama before the Nov. 4 election. (Read more about Powell's endorsement)

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/10/20/politics/main... ;homeSectionBlock250

[Ian David]

1. Let's just hope Powell doesn't mistake Obama's campaign bus for a mobile weapons lab. n/t

[Dennis Donovan]

2. *rimshot*

[trashcanistanista]

27. Duzy!!!

[Lost-in-FL]

3. I appreciate his vote for Obama...

but not sure if America needs his advice.

[Cronopio]

5. He can listen to the advice - he doesn't have to take it.

Seeing how many moderate Repubs voted for * on the supposed merits of his advisors, I think this is a smart move by Obama.

[ensho]

4. how disappointing - taking advice from a traitor

nt

[OKthatsIT]

106. I agree. This is a VERY BAD role model for America

How soon everyone forgets...HE LIED TO THE WORLD!!!!!!!! He should be tried for treason.

[MilesColtrane]

6. Not the most politically savvy response.

Obama should have just said that he is considering Powell as an advisor. Confirming a role in his administration hours after the endorsement makes it look like a quid pro quo.

[uppityperson]

7. I remember Powell taking on the bushites over talking about condoms with teens

He thought it very important, bushites didn't. He talked with teens in a couple places, got told not to, continued to do so, was told "ok, as long as you are already doing it but don't go overboard since talking about contraception and responsibilities with sex will encourage them to have sex".

[jrockford]

20. Hardly undoes the corruption that helped his son or the lies which has killed many.

Most people have some level of quality - so what, he's still a war criminal

[uppityperson]

34. Of course it doesn't. Not saying it does.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Zhade]

29. Awesome. Maybe that will comfort the families of all those dead Iraqis.

Jesus fucking christ, what is this country coming to?

[uppityperson]

33. I can condone 1 act and appreciate another, both by the same person.

Did you catch the "act" part? Not "the person" but "act". Or "action" if you prefer. I can condone mightily one act, one action by someone, yet also see another act or action by the same person as being a good one.

[Pastiche423]

49. How about two "acts"?

Which do you condone? My Lai or his lying to the American people at the UN?

~Sigh~ Another move to the right.

[uppityperson]

52. I condone negative actions and appreciate positive ones.

Does that satisfy? It doesn't mean 1 outweighs another, just taken individually, I will always appreciate positive actions and condone negative ones. If you call that "move to the right", I am sorry for you.

[Pastiche423]

61. Why do you excuse negative actions?

Condoning the death sentence to over a million human beings is not something I can or want to do.

[Posteritatis]

68. Why are you responding to fictitious statements instead of what's actually being said? (nt)

[Pastiche423]

71. NOYFB

[Posteritatis]

77. Your public posts are fair game

I suggest you cope with the fact, though I also note you don't deny my claim.

[uppityperson]

86. Because I used the wrong word. Condemn, don't condone.

Yes, I had a brain injury and occasionally mix up words.

[Pastiche423]

93. I have a TBI and I lose words

It's very frustrating, so I understand.

[uppityperson]

102. That's mine also. Frustrating to find closed boxes of info in my brain

that I didn't know were there until they open. Frustrating to meet old friends and not recognize until they say their name, then it all comes back. My experience makes me very concerned about the Iraq vets who have had "mild" repetitive concussions/tbi's.

[Pastiche423]

104. "Closed boxes"

I call them "files". It's like my brain needs to be defragged - often. If only I could put all of the files back into their proper folders. There is one huge folder, though, that was untouched - dates. It does me zippo good. I just "celebrated" my 22nd year anniverary of my injury.

My heart aches for the returning soldiers. When I hear of the massive problems they face simply getting medical care, I weep.

[uppityperson]

109. 3 yrs here, first time I noticed the gaps was talking politics and thought there was a pres between

papa and baby bush, but couldn't figure it out. Normally a person can find a clue, then circle in on the answer, but sometimes there is absolutely nothing to start with. When the person I was talking with said "Clinton?" in a puzzled tone, suddenly it was like a big box off confetti exploding and I could remember everything about him, them, etc.

So do you mean you have dates, or they are gone?

Don't laugh, oh go ahead. I gave myself a concussion and whiplash by doing a massage. The sheet tore as I was pulling someone down on the table, just a little bit, and I flung myself full force onto the low down windowsill/back of head. Freak accident for sure. Yes, I felt stupid, still do, and have spoken to several nurse and massage therapist friends who pull people down using the sheet.

[Pastiche423]

111. 22 yrs as of October 17 for me

Violent crime - wrong place at the wrong time.


I remember dates, numbers, etc.

A few political dates I remember:

November 6, 1972. The day I voted for the 1st time.

August 8, 1974. The day Nixon announced he was going to resign.

June 12, 1999. The day a huge black cloud appeared over our country and is still there.

December 12, 2000. The day that black cloud stole the highest office in our land.

October 26, 2002. The day of the 1st Iraq War rally in D.C. and the day after Paul Wellstone was murdered.

November 25, 2003. The day my Dem senator voted FOR the f'd up Medicare bill.

February 18, 2004. The day Howard Dean dropped out of the presidential campaign.



I do not know why I can remember dates so well, but words flitter away.

[krispos42]

78. Maybe you mean "condemn"? n/t

[uppityperson]

87. I do, I mean condemn, don't condone. Mixed up the words. Thanks.

I am hoping I not have caught or been called where I used the wrong word.

[bdamomma]

8. I think I would consider Wes Clark before Colin Powell.

but this would be Obama's choice.

[shanti]

50. nothing saying he can't have both of them as advisors

[OKthatsIT]

107. Oh that's just great...One is a traitor/LIAR, the other drops DU bombs

Colin Powell should be on trial for treason. Great role model, folks.

And our dear Wes Clark order the use of Depleted Uranium bombs over Serbia. Lovely.

[lovuian]

9. Obama is make a serious mistake here this man

was a traitor
He did ask for forgiveness and I do believe in Redemption
but his credibility will always be in doubt

Maybe in time he can rise to be a great advisor

[Zhade]

30. No, he did not ask for forgiveness. Did you hear the endorsment? HE STILL SUPPORTS THE WAR.

He hasn't even admitted he's done anything wrong!

[goforit]

39. Obama is allowing the Neocons in his room. Powell plays both sides.

Like McCain being two-faced, it is a sad character portrayal.

[Art_from_Ark]

79. "Maybe in time he can rise to be a great advisor"

Just like Nixon became a "senior statesman"

Feh

[undeterred]

10. I really don't think Bush took Colin Powell's advice.

He took Dick Cheney's advice and used Colin Powell as window dressing. If Bush actually took Colin Powell's advice I seriously doubt we'd be in the sorry mess we are in around the world.

[jrockford]

22. What is with the flaccid attempts at idealising Powell? He lied at the U.N.

or did Cheney do that for him? That whole corrupted deal that helped his son out...was that done by Cheney too?

Was Powell just naively going on the baseless assertions assuming them to be true? BS - he was part of the problem. He wasn't just a tool, he definitely had some "advising" there.

We are in this mess right now. Whether or not it directly had to do with Powell's advice or just his lies, who knows? But what he could of done was stand up and said NO this is BS, they are asking me to lie, it's going to cost many American lives for nothing etc etc. Now see, that be the patriot's role. But he's an opportunist and did what he did.

And now that the tides are changing, it looks like he's going to endorse Obama. Why wait this long? He wanted to make sure his hawkish buddy McCain had no legit chance.

This just sucks.

[Dr Fate]

35. Let McCain bring that up he if thinks it will help him.

LOL- good luck with that one- McCain cant have it both ways...The GOP owned media has already conditioned everyone into thinking Powell is the greatest guy ever-too late to take it back now...

[mzmolly]

11. One of many....

Just to clarify, for the whiners amongst us. Perhaps Powell will advise us as to who should be jailed as well?

[jrockford]

23. Oh it's "whining" now to be disappointed that a war criminal is asked to be an adviser

and do you really think that's how the advising is going to go? Who should be jailed? Is that your fantasy world?

It doesn't matter if he's an adviser of 10000, his advice should be shunned. He's an opportunistic parasite that is partially responsible for the mess we are in and the unnecessary deaths of thousands.

Or does that mean absolutely nothing to you? Guess just whining.

I'm sure some of the progressives who lost their children, in part stemming from Powell's knowing lies to the UN, will be glad to know you consider them whiners.

Even the freepers are laughing at us, in their own fucked up way: "I guess the lies at the UN don't matter as much now." etc etc.

Can't have it both ways.

[mzmolly]

24. Uh

huh. For a law student you toss around the word "war criminal" quite loosely.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2006/09/14/powell-br...

[ryanmuegge]

70. Whether he was a criminal in the letter of the law or not, he was morally bankrupt

He was definitely in the wrong.

I'm glad he endorsed Obama because it will help us win the election, but he was complicit in an illegal and immoral invasion.

I have to ask, if he had endorsed McCain instead, would you be as quick to defend him? Would you call him a war criminal if he didn't endorse our candidate?

People change and redeem themselves, but many of us haven't been a major participant in an immoral occupation that killed thousands (if not a million) people either.

[mzmolly]

74. I'm not in a position to defend Powell.

I'm defending Obama, while pointing out that Powell rejected war crimes. As for McCain ... I would have been disappointed had Powell endorsed McCain, but I would not have trotted out the "war criminal" label while expressing said disappointment.

[ronnie624]

114. The invasion and occupation

are both in violation of the UN Charter along with numerous other treaties. The justifications for the invasion were based entirely on contrivances and lies. Legal scholars throughout the world have overwhelming condemned it as a violation of international law, and at least 80% of the earth's population vigorously opposed it before it even happened. It has resulted in the decimation of Iraqi civil society and led directly to the deaths of a million or more people.

In a country governed by truth and justice, the entire Bush Administration and all of its close associates would have long ago been prosecuted for war crimes and other atrocities.

It is very interesting that one always sees the same faces, over and over, bobbing around the pinnacles of power, no matter which 'party' dominates.

[Zhade]

31. Go tell that to the families of all those dead Iraqis his lies helped kill.

I can't believe that wanting to hold criminals accountable is considered "whining".

How the fuck do you sleep at night?

[mzmolly]

41. Same way Skinner does I imagine?

[Solon]

42. Appeals to "authority" is just an insult to our intelligence....

Powell has demonstrated that he's a self serving asshole. Is it so wrong to point that out? The best thing Obama should do is accept the endorsement in the spirit it was taken, then not offer Powell jack shit in return.

[mzmolly]

45. Appealing to ignorance is an insult to your own intelligence....

eom

[Solon]

46. You were the one who appealed to authority to shut down debate...

and your ignorance about Powell's culpability in the Iraq War, which he still supports, is rather unsurprising.

[mzmolly]

47. Got a quote?

You know, where I indicated Powell's lack of support for the war?

[Solon]

48. OK, in that case, do you have any problem with an Iraq war supporter being given...

a possibly prominent position within an Obama administration?

[mzmolly]

53. Obama has said he intends to reach out ot all sides and hear from

people who he may not agree with. He appears to have meant what he said in this regard?

I have a problem with people here suggesting Obama did something wrong, by living up to his word.

[Solon]

54. I do not like the idea of Obama consorting with someone who should be charged...

with helping to wage a war of aggression. This isn't simply a matter of differences of opinion, Powell violated international law, according to the ICC's own statute regarding Crimes of aggression. I would like to see Powell sent to prison ideally, but I'll settle for him retiring quietly somewhere where he can't do any more damage.

[mzmolly]

55. All wars are aggressive. Wesley Clark also "waged wars of aggression."

He too was called a war criminal by some.

I'm not going to castigate Obama because he was endorsed by a former General, with an 80% public approval rating. Feel free if you must. Also, I'd like you to site the law that Powell, himself violated if you don't mind.

[Solon]

56. You did not just compare Colin Powell to Wesley Clark, did you?

You really have lost your mind, also, the statute itself will be clarified next year, hopefully, but if you want more information, here's a link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_aggression

There are a couple of U.N. non-binding resolutions that he clearly violated, with the rest of the Bush Administration. Also, your claim that all wars are wars of aggression is patently false, some are defensive wars, after all, when fighting off aggressors.

[mzmolly]

57. Obviously my point

is that wars ARE aggressive. Saying that Powell was part of an administration that violated international treaties does not mean he was active in committing war crimes.

More on my point about Clark and the accusations against him >>>>>> DISSIDENT VOICE >>>>> ANTIWAR.COM >>>>>> GLOBAL RESEARCH

So, now we've established that both Powell and Clark are considered war criminals. Does this mean we should reject a Clark endorsement?

[Solon]

65. I never said Powell was a war criminal, I said he broke one statute of international law....

and that statute itself isn't even a war crime as defined legally. Powell knew that he was distributing falsehoods to the U.N. to support military action against Iraq. He participated in an overt act of deception, hence he committed the crime of aggression, as defined in international law.

In addition, frankly, I'm not a fan of Clark either.

[mzmolly]

66. Some say Powell was duped by Cheney and others?

I have no way of knowing, personally. Also, I am a "fan" of Wes Clark. I don't believe he's the ogre some suggest.

[Solon]

69. I seriously doubt that Powell was duped, I wasn't duped, hell...

I was practically shocked that he didn't burst out laughing at the BS about "Mobile Weapon Labs". It was so ridiculous, yet he acted dead serious the entire time. He apparently even called it BS to the Bush administration, BEFORE he did his infamous presentation before the U.N.

If he was truly duped, which I doubt, but let's say he was, then he is truly too incompetent to be an adviser to Obama, or be given any position, in any capacity, at any level of government.

[mzmolly]

72. That depends upon the circumstances.

He wasn't as skeptical of the people he knew as we were.

Peace.

[Solon]

75. The one thing I cannot reconcile though is that, while he does say...

that the intelligence is BS now, he still thinks the Iraq War was and is justified because it took Saddam out. Apparently, for him, that was enough. There were questions about the intelligence the Bush administration was providing him, and some of the intelligence was contradictory. He didn't act responsibly on that information.

[mzmolly]

76. There is much I can't reconcile either.

But it is difficult to distinguish fact from rumor as there are conflicting stories on what Powell's role was, what he knew or didn't know etc. However, he's been one of several advisers to Obama on the campaign trail. He'll simply continue in this capacity.

[ryanmuegge]

67. While part of me is glad for the political implications of Powell's endorsement

I do think people hold their politicians (leaders that are supposed to represent the best of us) to low standards. Politicians need to be judged by their actions. Make no mistake, Powell was a politician as Secretary of State, but make no mistake, military generals are politicians as well (to pretend that they are politically neutral is naive). He failed in Vietnam and he failed in the lead-up to Iraq.

People should be judged by what their actions when they matter. Powell failed to do the right thing, and a lot of people died. I'm sure the administration would have invaded and occupied anyway, but that's no excuse. Powell demonstrated that he lacked courage and integrity. For him, it was more convenient to let people die and further bankrupt our country than to challenge the administration. Great people perform when it counts. They act. Powell didn't act. Joe Biden is considered great even though he voted for the war and the Bankruptcy Reform Act. There are many other politicians from our party who failed to do the obviously correct thing when their number was called. We should replace (with other Democrats or Greens, of course) them without hesitation or exception. These people want teachers and workers to have more "accountability" and much less of a social safety net while they become less accountable in their culture of incumbency.

Surely there are people we know in our everyday lives who, in the same situation that Powell was in, would have stood up and done what was right, even if they knew it wouldn't have changed the result.

[Zhade]

58. Yeah, Skinner was wrong to call powell redeemed.

I'm stunned you can't see how egregious your dismissal of so many dead is.

[mzmolly]

64. I'm stunned that you would have the audacity to suggest

that Obama is dismissing the dead. And/or that I am because I am not "whining" about his decision to listen to what Powell has to say on matters of international importance.

Wait, no I'm not.

[Zhade]

94. I didn't say Obama is. I said you are.

NT!

[mzmolly]

97. Yes because I support Obama's decision to hear from Powell on foreign policy.

This circular logic makes sense to you apparently?

[Moochy]

84. You have a banner-ad cash filled mattress too?

[guitar man]

12. keep your friends close

...and your eneimes closer.

[Zuiderelle]

13. Excellent idea. If Powell agrees to be an advisor, he can give Obama all the dirt he was witness to.

[agentS]

89. These guys are no fools.

Sen. Obama knows that the previous administration signed off on torture and other heinous activities, even those not considered war crimes by the UN or the Hague. He even said he would prosecute people if significant evidence were available.
Sec. of State Powell knows which way the wind is blowing. He's got names, faces, memories, and files.
Both men are helping each other out.
Obama gets an endorsement and evidence(STAR WITNESS) to prosecute the worst of the worst.
Powell gets out of jail and gets some of his reputation back.

We'll see how this plays out. If things go our way, and if the Rethugs don't make it an issue, then I think Cheney's retirement will be VERY short.

[orleans]

14. ugh. he should have just thanked powell and let it go

the endorsement was incentive for gaining some republicon votes

"He will have a role as one of my advisers" is very off-putting to some of *us* (at least it is for me)

[jrockford]

21. I'm sure it wasn't as simple as that - it probably sucked even more

It was probably more of a "if you endorse me, I'll say this" - I'm sure that's the order it went.

Either way, it pisses me off. Powell's a war criminal and should be tried with the rest of them.

But I guess we can start looking the other way now, right?

[Triana]

15. He could have Powell and Wes Clark....

...I'd have no problem with it.

[amitten]

16. Powell is a smart man. Obama can listen to him on strategy, but

not morality. He will decide for himself if action should ever be taken.

Obama will not lead us into senseless wars. He will use the advice of people like Powell to best determine how to REALISTICALLY pull us out of Iraq.

[Zhade]

32. Um, powell's a proven liar. How will Obama know he's getting any truth from him?

This is not a wise decision.

[Dr Fate]

37. McCain nor the media will ever say that though.

I hear ya- but I'm not sure what the point in attacking Powell is at this stage of the game...

[Zhade]

59. Because all this hagiography is dangerous, and we've seen what it does before.

Revising history to make it seem like powell DIDN'T lie to the U.N. to help launch an illegal war is DANGEROUS.

People rewrote the history of Iran-Contra, and those exact same criminals wound up in this administration!

Why don't Americans ever fucking LEARN?

[Nihil]

80. +1

Especially for

> Why don't Americans ever fucking LEARN?

... as this (plus the sickening Powell-worship around here) is a
just classic example.

[Dr Fate]

91. I'd rather take it up on 11/05/08. I dont see how attacking Powell right now helps Obama.

n/t

[Zhade]

95. RIGHT NOW, I can understand. What concerns me is the impression left right now.

Young people who never even knew much about powell are getting the idea he's a decent guy, instead of a lying criminal. Young people like my son. I don't appreciate that twisting of the truth.

[Dr Fate]

101. Look at it this way- Obama is using RW media lies against McCain.

The RW media has insisted that Powell is "honorable" etc- and never held him accountable for his UN speech...

Now that a DEM is basically playing this perception against Republicans, it's too late for the GOP or the media to revise their revision...

If Liberals want to correct the record after Obama has taken advantage of the situation, I have no problem with that- go for it.

[Norrin Radd]

17. And what about Kucinich?

I recall that he asked his supporters to throw their weight behind Obama when he had to drop out of the primaries. It would be nice if they threw the Left a bone.

[jrockford]

19. It be nice if some of Kucinich's idea on foreign policy were implemented

but it looks like, if we rely on Powell, it'll be at least 4 more years of the absolute same crap.

He's a war criminal, but I guess we should look the other way - right?

[dflprincess]

25. Perhaps listen to Kucinich on single payer?

That would be something - though as it appears that Obama is willing to continue the policy of endless war I'm not holding my breath.

[jrockford]

18. See? Exactly what I was saying earlier...

He's an opportunist. Powell sees the tide change and wants to be on the 'winning' side.

Yeah supposedly it is Obama offering it "if you want it", but that's not how these exchanges usually go.

I hope the Powell boot-lickers are happy that it is now likely this murderer and war-criminal will be a "top adviser" to Obama.

Cute.

[Dr Fate]

36. Is that the offical McCain position on Powell? LOL! I doubt it.

I cant imagine McCain actually saying that about Powell.

So sorry- the GOP owned media constantly made Powell up to be some kind of great hero- they cant take it all back now.

[Zhade]

60. Sadly, they'd be right to tear him down for what he's done...

...and we've been put in a position where TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT A LYING CRIMINAL hurts us!

It's insane.

[Dr Fate]

92. But they wont. Let's take this up again on 11/05/08, shall we? n/t

n/t

[Zhade]

96. You and I both know this will be swept under the rug, like so many other egregious acts.

And we're left with more people now thinking powell isn't a lying criminal - a further erosion of the truth.

But fuck it, this country's doomed anyway, with willful ignorance like illustrated above (not you).

[Dr Fate]

100. Fine- speak out against Obama & Powell before 11/4/08 then.

I dont see it doing anything but confusing voters further, and it wont help Obama either.

I'm not sure what you want me to tell you- my take is to let this slide until after Obama wins...

[crickets]

26. Oh. Great.

So much for war crimes investigations.

[NashVegas]

40. Hooray For the Warm, Fuzzy Vote

[Zhade]

28. ...

This guy knowingly lied to the U.N. to help launch an illegal aggressive war against a country that never attacked us and wasn't about to do so, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqis.

Accepting the endorsement was one thing. But this... WHAT THE FUCK, OBAMA?

[Solon]

38. Obama, use Powell to win over the low-information voters, but for all our sakes, don't let him...

near your administration after you win the election! Holy fucking shit, this is a disaster in the making.

[dogfacedboy]

43. I like this idea. Say what you will, Powell would be good in President Obama's corner. nt

[MichiganVote]

44. Double speak. Obama goes from saying he will have "a role" to potential for "formal role".

Not smart.

[Pastiche423]

51. Idiotic move on Obama's part

[Zhade]

62. This revisionist history of powell being a decent guy is dangerous, too.

Remember Iran-Contra?

[Pastiche423]

63. I refuse to be a part of the revisionist history that the "victors"

always write.

Maybe it's time for me to take a DU break. The amount of DUers that are buying this Powell bullshit is beyond nauseating.

[tuckessee]

73. There's a good chance Powell will be Obama's Sec of Defense....

or maybe even National Security Advisor.

[mike_c]

81. I cannot vote for anyone who will let the war criminals back into his administration....

Sorry. Just can't. Cynthia just picked up another vote.

[Runcible Spoon]

82. war criminals, Chicago School boys....what's not to "love"?

[JonLP24]

83. Good thing Obama is likely to win California

I'm not going to hate on you.

[slackmaster]

85. Obama is showing that he understands how to build a coalition

A vote for anyone but Obama is half of a vote for McCain (or a whole vote for McCain, if you vote for McCain).

In the real world, you will almost never see a candidate who agrees with you on every issue or always does what you think is the right thing to do.

Nobody has ever accused me of being a party loyalist, and I would laugh at anyone who did. But there are only two idividuals who have any kind of a chance to win this election.

[uppityperson]

88. You can't vote for someone who said they would have an adviser?

He doesn't have to take the advise, but even listening to it condemns Obama for you? Isn't your area already very blue, so a vote for McKinney won't hurt?

[mike_c]

90. don't be disingenuous-- I didn't say I oppose "advisors..."

...I said I oppose giving war criminals a position in the administration, no matter what their capacity. I trust you can recognize the difference!

Colin Powell belongs in a prison cell.

on edit: yes, my part of the country is mixed blue and green.

[Zhade]

98. I hear you. And you're right - this guy's part of a cabal of war criminals and belongs in prison.

The willful denial shown by so many DUers is exactly why this country is in the mess it is today.

[mike_c]

99. I don't understand it....

Powell is directly culpable for the deaths of a million or so Iraqis and Americans, and that's just in this latest round of his crimes. I cannot understand why anyone would WANT his endorsement in the first place-- it's the maniac sycophant endorsement, for crying out loud! I don't care who still respects his sorry ass. He belongs in prison.

Suggesting that he has a place in an Obama administration is just insane, and that's not hyperbole. It's batshit crazy. Powell is a lying, warmongering, butt kissing running dog lacky with the blood of more than a million souls on his hands. Powell makes Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy look like saints. Or amateurs. When Colin Powell murders the innocent, he cranks up the War Machine for gigadeaths, and he'll do it for Neilsen ratings.

And DUers are applauding him? That utterly blows my mind.

[Nihil]

112. Agreed. (n/t)

[uppityperson]

103. I agree with you. Was checking since what I've seen is "advisor" not a position in administration.

So, avoid the snake please.

[mike_c]

105. sorry, no snark intended...

...but I assumed Obama was speaking about a position in the administration-- presidential advisers usually have some sort of appointment (and compensation). Like I said, Powell should rot in a deep dungeon, not give anyone advice about anything except how to avoid being beaten up by the guards. He is utterly toxic.

This is the lying murderer we're talking about:

[uppityperson]

110. And I've been thinking of it as a non-official advisor. Perhaps this is why some of us are seeing

this so differently.

[demwing]

108. This Politics...Just Politics.

Obama is playing to the middle, where Powell is still a respected authority on national security.

If you can't vote for Obama because he's a politician, then please chose to not vote at all, as a protest. Then, while you sit it out at home, remember the quality of advisors that McCain will have if he is elected, and consider his ability to judge rationally and with proper discrimination.

Who really gives a damn from whom Obama gathers advice? Isn't it more important whether or not he's got the intelligence and character to accept the good and dismiss the poor, regardless of the source? If you are not convinced of Obama's character by this point, then I can't convince you why you should vote for him, why it's so insanely critical that you must vote for him. I can only ask you, once again, to sit it out and not vote at all.

[PurityOfEssence]

113. and WHEN, pray tell, does that end?

Yes, I'm voting for Obama.

When does the maneuvering end and the steadfastness begin? We're being asked to trust this guy on faith, even though he's habitually ducked controversial votes and appeased with MANY others. At what time does the positioning end?

The whole approach to mollifying leftists is that we're just supposed to trust this guy and have heartfelt faith that he is definitely and repeatedly lying to conservatives and will betray them as soon as he has power. We're supposed to happily trust him to lie to THEM, not to us, and we're supposed to believe he'll suddenly become a crusader.

Fuck Colin Powell; he's not just a dick, he's a serial liar and monarchist.