Colin Powell expected to endorse Obama

[Cronopio]

The UK Guardian is generally reliable, so I think it's very possible that they have some unofficial confirmation other than Powell's decision to appear on Meet the Press.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/oct/18/uselections2008-barackobama

Former secretary of state Colin Powell is expected to use a high-profile television appearance tomorrow to end months of speculation by throwing his support behind Barack Obama.

His decision to go on television just two weeks before the election suggests he has finally made up his mind.

...

His endorsement would be the biggest Obama has secured so far. As a prominent member of President George Bush's administration, he may shift some Republican-leaning voters into Obama's camp.

McCain's campaign team admitted privately it would be a blow, not least because it would be another day in which Obama dominated the news. But Democratic strategists are divide about the benefits. One said yesterday he was concerned it could backfire. He suggested that Powell's decision might be seen as being based on racial solidarity and that could alienate some white voters already reluctant to back Obama on grounds of race.

[Drunken Irishman]

1. We'll see. Worst case scenario appears to be that he'll come JUST short of endorsing.

But it will be clear he supports Obama.

Which is an endorsement if I've ever heard of one.

But yeah, I expect him to endorse.

[Essene]

21. not only must he endorse obama, he has to attack bush/neocons

anything less and he's relegated to the sad footnotes of history.

[krkaufman]

39. Well, the worst case remains that he could endorse McCain

(though recent evidence gives one hope that won't be the case)

[Don Davis]

2. Colin Powell to Launch REAL Surprise on Meet the Press

http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=4113

[Phred42]

26. Powell is a disgraced Reich-wing nut - who cares what he thinks.

[bluestateguy]

3. God I hope Lucy doesn't pull the football away from Charlie Brown on this one

All this speculation now means that he HAS to endorse Obama just to meet expectations. A McCain endorsement would be bad spin at this point.

[CJCRANE]

9. ...or he could endorse Ron Paul!

Now that *would* be a surprise.

:crazy:

[RBInMaine]

4. FRIGGING AWESOME !! GET POWELL OUT THERE CAMPAIGNING FOR HIM !!!

[TheDonkey]

27. He could be useful in seeing the deal in VA! I hope Powell repents his sins

and will be willing to work for Obama to help fix the damage he caused.

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. I'm not sure if I like that.......

I'm glad anytime Obama gets an endorsement, but from Powell it rings hollow.

He sold his soul to the devil in front of the UN in 2003, and testified for Ted Stevens this week.

He isn't the man he once was...........

[Don Davis]

8. Granted ... but

What better way for him to "rehabilitate" himself?

[knowledgeispwr]

10. It rings hollow to many of us...

but Powell is still very much respected by many voters more moderate than we are.

If he does endorse Obama, it will be good for Obama. Actually, if he just condemns McCain's campaign attacks, that may even be better for Obama.

We have to keep in mind that we may see things differently from less politically involved and more moderate voters. Many were frustrated Obama didn't attack McCain harder in the debates, but each time voters, especially so-called independents, really warmed to Obama and reacted negatively to McCain's attacks.

[TheCowsCameHome]

16. Agreed. It will carry weight, and that's good.

He disappointed me terribly back in '03.

But if it helps Barack/Biden win, that is a very good thing.

[regnaD kciN]

40. That is true...

I think Powell is pond scum at best, and a prosecutable war-criminal at worst, but I was shocked when visiting my mother (in her late '80s) last May. Although she is every bit as progressive as I am (she was the first to vote Democratic in our family), she was adamant that Colin Powell was a "great American" and completely worthy of respect. When I pointed out to her the laundry list of his offenses, she insisted that he had merely been "tricked" by Bush.

I think there are a lot of voters like her, including many in the independent and "centrist" sectors, who would consider such an endorsement to be a big matter. On the downside, I can see many who would brush it off as merely a "gesture of solidarity" because of their race.

[quantass]

12. Maybe its Redemption

[Phx_Dem]

6. Hope so! The media will love it!

[La Lioness Priyanka]

7. the wealthy and connected in this country can really do no wrong.

lie to the UN and start a war..yet your endorsement still has value

[Cha]

11. In other ways I see it potentially

helping is..some people might think "How can Obama be a "terrorist" if General Colin Powell endorses him":think: Or those who love to be afraid might feel more secure with an endorsement from the General.

I guess, we'll just have to see.

[Number23]

13. Freepers will scream that Powell only did it because he's black

And he's voting "his race over his country!!1one!"

It'll be a wash....

[fugop]

18. If ...

... and that's a BIG if ... If Powell endorses Obama, it won't be a wash. Freepers will say it's because he's black, true. But there are so many moderates out there who still love Powell. It will shore up some folks who want to support Obama but still aren't sure he's the right guy.

On the other hand, if he doesn't endorse Obama, I just hope he stays neutral. And I read reports that he'll rip the nasty shit McCain's been flinging, regardless. That oughta make Morning Joe blow an artery!

[Cronopio]

19. Powell could be doing it to angle for a position in the Obama administration.

I love the sound of that ... "the Obama administration."

[Hansel]

29. I think that it will help with moderate voters.

They are not going to get a hoot about the crap the Freepers spew. In fact, that could seriously backfire because moderates know Powell better than Obama and they will begin to realize that these people are just plain racist and that crap they are spewing is just that, crap.

[political_Dem]

14. It's nice....but Powell has problems of his own.

Mr. Powell still has a lot of dirty baggage stemming back to the Vietnam War (My Lai Massacre). Although some folks will think that his endorsement matters, it is hard to forget what he said in front of the UN in the days leading up to the second Iraq War.

[Essene]

23. im one of the lone defenders of powell around here... chew on the following...

http://political-zazen.blogspot.com/2008/10/colin-powell-how-to-regain-your.html

His record is better than a lot of democrats.

1. he fought against invasion of iraq, in spite of the UN fiasco

2. he fought against the neocons, even calls them "f**ckin crazies"

3. he quit the bush admin and called for (criminal) investigations into who manipulated intel on WMD

4. he opposed torture

5. he says to shut down gitmo

6. he spoke out against the handling of the war

7. he criticized bush handling of katrina

8. he defends obama on diplomacy

9. he criticized mccain's hot-heated response to russia/georgia conflict and other stuff

10. he is pro-choice

11. he is pro-affirmative action

[political_Dem]

24. Yet he had all those things while doing Bush's bidding.

Heck, with that record you touted, why isn't he a Democrat? Oh that's right. His friends are all neo-cons. Even if he did have his little moment of protest, he always comes back into the fold. At the drop of the hat, he can be counted upon to clean up their messes.

Case closed.

[political_Dem]

25. The sad thing is that this is like waiting for Dr.Condi Rice's endorsement for President.

Neither Colin nor Condi is going to "fall in line". They've been sell-outs for a long while.

[Essene]

32. dont even compare the 2. sorry, but that's just not fair or truthful

im not gonna try to change your mind if oyu want to hate powell that badly, but dont even dare try to put him and rice on the same level.

she's scum.

she's a demonstrable liar.

powell is not.

his ONE big mistake was that UN speech, and im saying folks need to understand what he was doing there in context.

he was lied to. manipulated.

and even then, he fought back... and didnt support invasion.

[political_Dem]

33. Did I say I hated the man? No.

It's fine if you want to defend him. It's even admirable.

But let history decide whether such a defense was worth it. In my mind, it isn't. His actions proved that he worked toward American hegemony and supported the ideas of the neocons the length of his career. And in the end, he doesn't care about the impact his endeavors had for this country. He ultimately does care about himself. He could have the principles of the Dalai Lama. But that still doesn't erase the fact that he did what he did to negatively shape American political life in the modern era of this country.

Ask Ted Stevens if he cares if Powell gave an endorsement to Mr. Obama.

As for the comparison to Condi and Powell? They worked in the same administration. They both carried out the bidding of Bush, the neocons and the rest of the cronies in the WH.

[scrappydo]

36. Essene..

I, too, am a supporter of Colin Powell. He has done a great deal for this country and demonstrated his allegiance time and again. I was also disappointed in the UN debacle; however, some of the bloggers posting rants about Powell are also the same ones who jump on Senator Obama if they do not like the decisions Obama makes. You cannot fight bias - just let it go.

[opihimoimoi]

15. TWO short Questions if I may: "What took you so Long? and: "Where are the Others?"

:toast:

[IntravenousDemilo]

17. Perfect. You can't win with just your base; this should switch some Republican fence-sitters. n/m

[tpi10d]

20. If it happens more evidence of politcal realignment

More evidence of fragmenting republican coalition. If (as likely) McCain loses this could get very interesting.

[Essene]

22. it's happening, for sure. GOP is in serious risk of complete meltdown in coming year... imo

and it cant happen soon enough.

[POAS]

28. Get ready for an assault on your ears and eyes

by racial epithets of the most vile kind.

It is a good thing he does if he endorses Obama but it will inflame all that is left of the Republican base, the racists and the religiously challenged.

[polichick]

30. I don't know why anyone would consider Powell's "the biggest (endorsement) Obama...

...has secured so far."

[Raine]

31. This is good ... for sure I have mixed feelings

but still it's better he endorses him than endorse McINSANE. So overall I think it's a plus, at the very least it will dominant the headlines.

[jazzjunkysue]

34. I think you're getting set up for a big fall. He's their ace in the hole: Judas.

I really believe he'll be sent in just like Iraq to bolster the GOP lies.

If he were not, he'd keep it to himself. He has nothing to gain from endorsing Obama and everything to lose.

The GOP including B* have been hounding him to go out there and give all the bigots an excuse for voting simply on race: Get the black man to betray the black man.

All this hopeful internet/TV talk is a set up for the big shock! He's a republican!!!!

They're trying to steal the news day/week.

[Cronopio]

35. It won't be a big fall if he doesn't endorse. Obama will still win.

But it will be exquisitely fun to see McCain's campaign try to spin it their way if he does support Obama.

[BlueIdaho]

37. I'm afraid you're right. nm.

[orestes]

38. All the talk could be attempt to try and diminish the endorsement when it comes

That may be why folks on the right have been specific about Powell's possible endorsement, whereas the Obama camp has been more vague. One group is trying to diffuse it as much as possible by putting it out there now, the other is trying to stoke it by playing up whether or not it's actually going to happen.

[TooRaLoo]

41. I'm not sure what to make of Powell, but I still hope this is true. nt