People can groove on Powell's endorsement or not. It's still sort of a free country.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

Powell will endorse Obama. Cool. If it results in even one additional net vote that's great.

But what's with the consensus police badgering DUers to support an endorsement?

Will the world fall apart if a few folks retain a little internal moral consistency in their comments on a fucking internet discussion forum?

Does the Obama-Biden ticket get one extra vote from demanding unanimity on DU as to whether Colin Powell is a respectable figure?

(It's not like Obama is endorsing Powell...)

[MNDemNY]

1. Does Obama really want the endorsment of a war criminal?

[NJGeek]

2. Come on, get a grip

Powell is an American hero, justified or not. This is a good thing for Obama.

[MNDemNY]

5. Yes he is/was an American Hero, He is also, sadly, a war criminal.

[Virginia Dare]

9. Not that you're wrong..

but a tiny minority in this country sees it that way.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

3. Ahem.

He's already got the endorsement of several people who supported the run up to war.

[MNDemNY]

8. Powell did FAR more then support the run up to war, he helped perpetrate it.

Thus he is a war criminal as sure as Bush and Cheney.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

14. Hell...

at least one of his big endorsers voted for it.

[MNDemNY]

19. Voting for it and perpetrating it are very different.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

21. lulz

[MNDemNY]

22. ? sorry, I don't speak IM.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

If it means more net votes, sure.

I assume the campaign has sound reasons for wanting such an endorsement.

[MNDemNY]

11. The " war criminal" vote? How large could that be?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

15. Many millions of people.

[MNDemNY]

20. That's a shame.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. How many people would change their mind if Powell endorses Obama?

I cannot imagine that it would be a significant number.

[Virginia Dare]

12. Some liberal republicans and some conservative Democrats..

who are still on the fence about Obama. There may be more of them than you realize.

[Jackpine Radical]

13. It might comfort some independents who believe Obama would be weaker on defense.

Let them have their comfort. Colin Powell has an undeservedly good repuation in some circles, and I would rather see us profit from that error than the Republicans.

Sorry for the cynicism, but screw it.

[Virginia Dare]

17. Possibly some military folks who traditionally vote republican too..

maybe some people who have grave reservations about Palin. Many people respect Colin Powell, justifiably or not.

[BrklynLiberal]

24. Thanks guys. Those are all good points.

[H2O Man]

6. I've yet to read

a single person saying "Colin Powell is a good guy," other than your OP.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

10. ???

I changed the "good guy" phrase since several people seem to have flashed on it, but there's no shortage of Powell boosting here today, whether the phase "good guy" is used or not.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7491354&mesg_id=7491354

[H2O Man]

23. Hadn't read that.

Skimming it, I did not see it being advanced that he was a good guy; however, much of what I did read was questionable at best, and some parts highly inaccurate.

Colin Powell knew that the material he was presenting to the UN was false. He spent a weekend, including a Sunday with Dick Armitage, at the CI HQ. He knew it was a lie, and he failed in his responsibility to uphold the Constitution. Hebetrayed this country.

That said, his endorsement is likely to help Obama in two key areas: with undecided voters and some moderate republicans.

The most obvious down-side is that there will be pressure by conservative democrats around Obama to attempt to include Powell or his ilk in ways that can influence policy after Obama takes office. The most likely line is that Powell can provide republicans in Congress cover to support the removal of US forces from Iraq.

Thus, there are potentials for both good and bad from Powell's endorsement. Good people can disagree on those potentials net worth and risk. None of that need be based on assuming that Powell is other than a snake. I think that the vast majority of those on DU who point out the potential for good in the election are aware that Powell is not a "hero" to progressives or liberals.

[BuyingThyme]

7. How in the fucking world could Colin Powell be a good guy?

Might as well ask for the endorsement of George H.W. Bush.

[jefferson_dem]

16. consensus police.

:spray: Good one.

I haven't seen anyone claiming Powell is a "good guy" much less demanding unanimity on that opinion. The key point, as you mention, is that an endorsement would benefit the Obama-Biden ticket. After all, that's what we all want - an Obama victory.

[Virginia Dare]

18. I have a bigger problem with people who try to shut down the debate..

there's nothing wrong with having a vigorous debate...as Obama would say.