** Powell's Endorsement a Florida "GAME CHANGER" **

[President Decider]

Say what you will about Colin Powell and your personal opinion about the man, but his comments today on MTP as to his reasons for endorsing Obama were well thought, rational, and very compelling to listen to. He basically reiterated the very same reasons I have about supporting Obama. In essance, Obama brings to the table the leadership that our country needs NOW ... at this point in our history.

What people need to realize is that Powell's endorsement will have a profound impact on Forida voters; specifically independents and right leaning moderates. Early reports indicate that Powell's endorsement will have a 3-5% national impact and a 8-12% impact in Florida and in heavily military family areas.

Folks, this is a "game changer" regardless of how some may try to dismiss it.

[Left 0f Center]

1. Bingo.

Bingo. Bingo.

[VeraAgnes]

2. Will it have impact with the military voters?

Powell is Army, right?

[cynatnite]

5. It very well could be a huge game changer for the military vote...

Yes, he's Army.

[Mark E. Smith]

3. Agreed

There are very good reasons for having problems for Colin Powell. But
now is not the time for airing them out. This is a political gift and will
resonate loudly with middle America.

[Brundle_Fly]

8. and I am sure the

right will bring up all our problems anyways.

[Raven]

4. Also a big impact on older voters. n/t

[deadparrot]

6. Not that I disagree about the value of Powell's endorsement,

but what is your source for the "early reports" of a possible boost? It sounds promising, and I'd like to read something backing it up if it's out there.

[OmahaBlueDog]

7. If he'd campaign, it'd be a game changer

As it stands, I think it's a nice endorsement that creates two media cycles worth of good buzz, but doesn't change much (it might tip some veterans who are riding the fence).

[darius15]

9. A single endorsement moving 3-5 points? Nope. Unless it's Bin Laden. However, this does

2 things:

1) People who were leaning toward McCain (particularly independents:they love Mr.Powell) may move back to undecided and take another look at Obama, which gives us the oppurtunity to get some votes.

2) The media will have a new talking point, away from all this Ayers stuff. It helps us run out the clock on Sen. McCain.

In those two ways, this endorsement is useful.

[President Decider]

10. Powell's endorsement may even effect Georgia! .. Georgia will be closer than people think

[morillon]

15. Georgia's going blue or damn close. :-)

I've never seen Georgia like this. My sister and I were talking this morning about which venues in Georgia would be large enough for the freakin' HUGE turnout if Obama came here, and maybe only a large race track would come close. Even then, they'd be turning people away. Centennial Olympic Park wouldn't be big enough, nor would the Dome or Lakewood.

[morillon]

16. Georgia's going blue or damn close. :-)

I've never seen Georgia like this. My sister and I were talking this morning about which venues in Georgia would be large enough for the freakin' HUGE turnout if Obama came here, and maybe only a large race track would come close. Even then, they'd be turning people away. Centennial Olympic Park wouldn't be big enough, nor would the Dome or Lakewood.

[President Decider]

21. I'd love to see Obama come to the Atlanta Motor Speedway - it holds 100K

I think Obama would attract 150K if he were to speak there.

[morillon]

23. That'd work!

If he comes to Georgia, we're ALL taking the day off to go see him. I'm a contractor at the moment, so I'd be blowing off a day's pay, but it'd be worth it.

[Enrique]

11. why Florida in particular?

what am I missing?

[Diamonique]

14. Florida has 27 electoral votes. It's a biggie.

Also, a lot of those older people who may be hesitant to go with Obama for his perceived lack of military expertise may be willing to take another look after what Powell said about him.

[ShadowLiberal]

18. Lots of military & retired old white people there Obama has had a harder time connecting with

A Powell endorsement is like one of the biggest, maybe the biggest most well known/respected military guy (who tends to be a moderate republican to) saying he supports Obama.

[Top Cat]

12. Agreed

[elocs]

13. We have read many here at DU who dismiss the endorsement and had denied it would ever happen.

Like Powell or not, forgive him or not, it doesn't take a mental giant to understand how a Powell endorsement of Obama would help Obama. Too many live in an insulated world where they cannot understand and are completely astounded that everyone else does not think, believe, and do as they would do.

Powell's endorsement of Obama as well as those of conservative newspapers which usually endorse Republicans will help Obama. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth or throw the baby out with the bath water. I would say to anyone who is moved to support Obama because of Powell's endorsement: Welcome aboard. We want your vote.

[jazzjunkysue]

27. I. Was. Wrong. Powell did it. I never thought he would. It looked like the standard

GOP last ditch Judas effort to save a pathetic candidate.

I never thought Powell would screw with his own party and risk losing friends and influence.

This will cost him, personally, and it would not have cost him anything with Obama if he had backed Gramps.

Powell did the right thing. I was wrong, and I'm quite happy to admit it.

This will help Obama. If ntohing else, it might keep some GOP voters home. They don't like Gramps or palin, and now, even Powell is telling them it's OK to vote for Obama.

They might not follow suit, but this gives the die-hard GOP the excuse they need to dump the party and stay home.

No one really wants to vote for Gramps. Now, thanks to Powell they don't have to. Amen.

[elocs]

28. Nice to hear you say that. Powell's endorsement of Obama means much more at this moment

that it would have been if given months ago and I believe that Powell realizes that. His explanation of why he is supporting Obama was well thought out, moving, and outstanding. It is one of the final nails in McCain's campaign coffin. It is also the path for personal redemption for Powell. Oh if we could all live our lives with 20/20 hindsight.

[Wetzelbill]

17. No way does this go 3-5 nationally

Not a single endorsement like that. It might help some fence sitters, but in today's newscyle this doesn't last more than a few days in the news. It helps, but it comes at a time when Obama was wrapping this up. It doesn't change the game, it just helps him run up the score a little.

[Warren Stupidity]

19. Having watched Powell's endorsement: K&R!

Wow.

[DavidDvorkin]

20. Where do the 3-5% and 8-12% numbers come from?

I'd be delighted if the endorsement had that large an effect, but I'm skeptical without seeing some data.

[tpi10d]

22. I'm not going to speculate on the numbers

But if Florida goes Obama in a close race, Palin and Powell could be the reasons.

[GardeningGal]

24. Agreed.

The way he presented how he made his decision did more for Obama than just his endorsement. People who are still undecided at this point are either not political as a general rule or most likely independents. If they were hesitating because of the "lack of experience" argument, Powell's well reasoned commentary will help to tip the scales.

I was very impressed with what he said and I suspect that will play here in Colorado well also.


On edit: I hate it when I make a spelling mistake.

[VoodooGuru]

25. Exactly. EXACTLY.

Listen, I am not fond of the role he played in bringing about the war, either. I'm not going to pretend that the whole mess is, somehow, "water under the bridge". At best, I can now say, "well, it's complicated." Shades of gray abounding.

But this I see clearly: this is very probably the last push people of a certain mindset needed to come our way. There is a certain set of voters who enlarge the role of the commander-in-chief and the importance of the military in their minds. They rank military affairs higher than you or I do in their political hierarchy of needs. To them, this man's endorsement carries a weight greater than that of any newspaper, any writer, any intellectual. For them, hearing General Powell's assurance that Obama is up to the job - and his newfound conviction that McCain is not and the reasons why his opinion has changed - may well be enough to seal the deal.

We Democrats need to recognize that we need to do whatever it takes to win. Far too much is at stake not to. If that means accepting the endorsement of a man many consider in part responsible for the war in Iraq, so be it.

[JaneQPublic]

26. It could also help in VA, which also has several military communities. (nt)

[Virginia Dare]

31. Yep, I'm thinking this locks up Virginia for Obama...n/t

[cloudythescribbler]

29. I'm not trying to be snarky, but what ARE these early reports, & why so VASTLY higher in FL?

I'm really interested in URLs on this, so I can post it in places where people routinely refer to DUmmies (and not just RW sites -- I inundate them w/examples of things I picked up on DU, or verify things from DU that they have pooh poohed, and the response: silence).

Obviously, the "free marketplace of ideas" means you get all kinds of stuff out there, so those who condemn DU for this are at root against free expression (as it exists in the real world, where the rubber hits the road)

AnyHoo ...

[bagimin]

30. As a fifty three year Floridian..

I think you may be bit optimistic...however even a 1% swing with undecideds or independents could be huge....although personally this looks like a landslide anyway.