Hardline conservatives, probably little, as he opposed the neocon theology while in office. However, he once was a darling of middle of the road conservatives. I would say he was the most popular center-right Republican of the nineties, ever since the first Iraq war. I remember talk of Powell running in '96, and polling which suggested he would beat Clinton if he did. The main reason Powell was chosen to squander his credibility in his WMD speech to the UN is because he once had a heck of a lot of it to spare. Now, perhaps you're right, and there's not so much left.
I certainly understand why you don't like Powell, glynch, and I haven't forgiven him for so much that he did that was wrong earlier in his political career, and how he went along with Bush Junior on Iraq, when he should have resigned. I haven't forgotten it. The man has a lot of credibility with moderates, independents, and middle of the road Republicans, however (those seriously considering voting Democratic this time... my experience is that there are a LOT of them out there this election season), and though flawed, he did serve his country for decades, by his lights. An endorsement by Powell of Obama would derail the McCain/Palin/RoveRedux slimefest that's going on for at least a couple of days. And if he endorsed McCain/Palin, it would help give that slimefest some credibility in some quarters. So it would be a big deal, IMO, like him or not.
Ok, let's have the endorsement. Hopefully it is in detail and talks about how Obama is a good patriot who will stand up for America.
Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama! Slams Palin, says she isn't "ready to be President!" Slams McCain campaign for calling Obama a socialist, that it is simply absurd (he didn't use absurd... he said it better, lol!). Slams McCain campaign for the Ayers slimfest going on, and in great detail. JUST HAMMERED THE McCAIN CAMPAIGN!!! Folks, it was beautiful.
What were those lies that Powell told about McCain saying Obama was a Muslim? Those were, well, lies. Powell is quite good at lying, as history has proven, no? He was always Republican in name only -- exploiting his qualifications to launch his own career within the Republican party because, ironically, the Dems didn't support military leaders. So he's coming back home...
Colin Powell's Endorse on MSNBC Meet the Press. Click on link to see the video and article. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27265369/
Completely predictable, Trader_J. If Powell had endorsed John McCain, you would be saying the opposite, singing his praises until the cows come home (unless you are an awful singer, which might cause you to become a vegetarian by default). You fool no one here, but I know posting things like this gives you a charge, so carry on. You know as well as I do that this is a dagger in the heart of the McCain/Palin run for the Presidency. It was already over. Now? It's over in spades.
I wonder if this will move some of the undecideds over to Obama' side, who had questions about his connections to Ayers. I don't think there are very many undecideds left, though.
If he's just republican in name only why won't he run. Republicans have continuously requested Powell to run under the ticket and he has turn the party down repeatly. If you knew somthing about military officers they are usally Conservative republican because when having republicans in office we pay 4 times as much as any country in the world on our military budget. Ask anyone who served under Reagan they will tell you how much money that was being spent was overboard. Sad thing is that it took a Libreral to get if office and think that isntead of spending on an arms race and wasting oney why dont we invest the money into military members therefore Clinton gave the largest payraise in milatary history to enlisted soldiers.
Colin Powell: "I'm worried that McCain and Palin wouldn't be nearly as hawkish as I like. With his recent hawkishness on Waziristan and Sudan, and his selection of a true warmonger for vice-president, Barack Obama has thoroughly convinced me that he's shed all of his naive non-interventionism, and will continue to fight for the neo-con empire like I have for all my career." (I'm sorry, but I'm still really bitter about Powell betraying America's trust on Iraq.)
What's great about this endorsement is that it will eat up the news cycle for the next few days. Precious time that Mccain needs to break through with some type of message but won't. the door is closing...
Yea a lil secret about Powell its a reason why he left the administation after he did his part in getting in the war in Iraq. Im just saying personally I feel the man felt decieved by others in the administration.
I know he said that he felt left out on many decisions by the administration, but he was the Secretary of State. All of the intelligence ran through him. And when he got up at the UN and told the whole world where the WMDs were, that was his doing. He might not have made the final decision to ignore the weapons inspectors, but he was a big part of it.