From President Bush's White House team, Colin Powell hears ... nothing

Colin L. Powell, the former mud soldier, hurled his political grenade in defense of Barack Obama, but the collateral damage hit the Bush White House.

To be sure, he was opting for Obama, but the undercurrent of his message was a strong rejection of the direction the Republican Party -- and the nation -- have taken under President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. We won't even get into his quiet dis of Sarah Palin.

And 24 hours after President Bush's former secretary of State said he would vote for the Democratic presidential nominee, he has been given a cold shoulder, so to speak, from the Bushies.

"He's not heard anything from the White House types," said a close friend who spoke with Powell before and after his appearance on "Meet the Press" on Sunday.

On the other hand, he's heard from just about everyone else, this Powell friend said, and response has been "overwhelmingly positive."

The friend added:

He feels very good about what he said yesterday. He's very comfortable with it.

The White House non-reaction, so far, is not too surprising when you consider what Powell was saying in this mildly worded but devastating sentence from Sunday's TV performance: "I have some concerns about the direction that the party has taken in recent years."

Or the rejection of the impact of the recent Bush years when he said that the next president would have to "fix the reputation that we've left with the rest of the world."

And when did the U.S. standing turn sour? As Countdown to Crawford reported Saturday, the polls abroad are pretty striking in the rejection of U.S. policy under Bush.

Come to think of it, considering the efforts of the White House team to maneuver around Powell when he was in office, their response to the distance he is putting between himself and the president may not be that strange. The picture of Bush, Powell and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld in 2002 notwithstanding, they really weren't that, well, close.

Characteristically, Powell on Sunday used very forceful, deliberate -- but polite and toned-down -- language, choosing a course that would leave little room for anyone to pick it apart and suggest he was in any way hedging his bets.

But we know, from personal experience, that although adept at using nuanced language, he can make his point strongly, with no room for doubt, when he so chooses.

The former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Bush 41 and Bill Clinton has been a friend of John McCain for a quarter-century, but he decided that friendship could not be the determining factor.

Rather, he wanted to nudge the Republican Party away from its current course -- one that he sees as having turned rightward particularly during the second Bush-Cheney term, which of course would be the period when he had already left the administration.

But in the end, the Powell friend, bursting out in a broad chuckle as he played off McCain's campaign theme of "Country First," said of Powell's decision: "He put America first."

-- James Gerstenzang

Photo credit: Ron Edmonds / Associated Press

Comments

[Nancyb]

Powell is an honorable man. I think he was brave and decisive in his comments. I am sure it was difficult for him given his longterm relationship with Senator McCain. But McCain allowed those in charge of his campaign to steer him in a direction that makes him appear as though he is George Bush, no matter his statement to the contrary.

[John Dickenson]

In other words, he wanted to vote for another black man. I'm tired of all of these racists like Powell and Obama.

[Tom]

Colin Powell has served his country with honor as has John McCain. One difference would be that COLIN POWELL WAS in charge of our foreign policy when it all went so terribly wrong. Where was his backbone then. Give me a break. He sounds like another guy who misses the limelight and that is why he waired until the last two weeks so he could be important again.

Oh..and I am sure he was sending a smart bomb towards Dick Cheney at the same time....I don't understand how the man who let us go down the path to the war in Iraq and did not resign in protest would be welcome in an Obama administration that screams from the mountaintop that the war was a mistake.

John McCain ought to send it right back to the two faced hypocrite....Take the gloves all the way off John...you have very few real friends in Washington and you know it....

[minghia]

Powell is looking for absolution - maybe from "The One"?
I don't care what Powell does or says. What he did is tell the world Iraq had WMD - it was him who showed us the portable labs and rocket launchers on that satellite imagery.
How Obama reconciles his "superior judgement" with being humbled by Powell's endorsement is hard to emagine - unless you know Obama.

[JAN CONNER]

I WAS SHOCKED AND DISTURBED AT COLIN POWELL'S ANNOUNCEMNT OF SUPPORT FOR OBAMA. THIS IS ANOTHER BLACK WHO HAS RISEN TO THE TOP WITH REPUBLICANS AND NOW SUPPORTS A BLACK FOR PRESIDENT AND THE REPUBLICANS GET TRASHED AND ACCUSED OF RACISM.

[Bob Lees]

Secretary Powell was a good general and a good Secretary of State. He masterfully parlayed his career to become a darling of the rubber chicken speaking circuit both here and abroad commanding $100k PLUS in fees per event. With each passing administration his value on the circuit becomes less. I understand his rationale for endorsing Senator Obama now that we are down to the wire and Senator Obama is ahead in the polls. If as the polls indicate, Senator Obama wins, Secretary Powell's speaking, compensated board seat and book writing career will have a fantastic new lease on life. Believe me Its all about the money.

[Walt]

Colin Powell has been wrong before,,,, and maybe again. Only history will tell. He lost most of his credibility after his WMD testimony proved to be nothing but hearsay. I am surprised the press is making such a deal about this. But, since it is an endorsement for Obama, I shouldn't be surprised.

[Mike]

Seems as though a lot of people forget that this Bush administration sold Powell out by presenting him with bad intelligence when he went before the United Nations to make the case for war with Sadam. They used his and good reputation to try to make a compelling justification for the war. He deserves to be bitter and concerned about the direction the Neo-Conservatives have take this country, it's been a total disaster. Our reputation abroad has been severely crippled and our national treasure has been devastated by this horribly managed war. W will go down in the history books as one of our worst presidents ever.

[Renee W]

John Dickenson, your statement also can be viewed reflexively. If Powell is racist for deciding to vote for a Black man (if indeed that is his motivation) then by your definition, White men who vote for another White man are also racist. I doubt you actually believe that it cuts both ways though. Black men are just as logical, intelligent and capable of a dispassionate decision as White men.

[K War Vet]

Sorry Gen. Powell you have lost any credibility long ago. Please do a "MacArthur" and just "fade away"!

[Louise, CO]

It's a new day. MCain just happens to be be operating from 2 generations ago.

[Ervin Raab]

Where was Colin Powell when he NEEDED to speak his mind....think McNamara with Vietnam...didn't want to upset the president with REALITY, so let's go to WAR!! Fast forward to Fall 2002/Spring 2003 with that bogus introduction of manufactured evidence in front of the UN. he still may be respected, but he failed us while in office.

[jon]

Powell a honorable man? yes. However, he is more apt a "company man." He knows how to follow orders, and has difficulty thinking out of line. Look at the photo shown - all lined up in ducks.

Everyone lied about WMD! Either they did this directly, or looked the other way. Why?

Revenge! Many Americans still can't get used to being attacked, and are reacting to it.

America is becoming no different than any other country in the world - it is not rising above the occasion... good old age - revenge...

[SM]

Would all of the disparaging comments about Colin Powell have been praise, if he had endorsed McCain?

[Ann Bedard]

How eloquently stated. Diplomacy at it finest. Something that has been missing this past 8 eight years. This is the change Obama brings to the World Stage.
It takes more than experience to know how to be diplomatic, it takes finese and eloquence. Obama is intelligent enough to know how to pick a Cabinet with skills greater than his. Bess you Col Powell for your eloquent words of wisdom

[gary]

"We won't even get into his quiet dis of Sarah Palin." Dis? Ha.... The dumbing of America....

[David Brands]

If Colin Powell were, in fact, an honorable man he would have refused to take part in that dog-n-pony show at the U.N. trying to justify the invasion of Iraq.

Granted, it's better he endorse Obama over McCain but if ever the indictments come down on the Bush Regime, Powell must be included.

[K War Vet]

Sorry Gen. Powell you have lost any credibility long ago. Please do a "MacArthur" and just "fade away"!

[Art Garp]

No Thanks Powell! Hello! Am I the only card carrying Lib' in the bunch to smell a rat??? Get back on your sinking GOP ship! YOU HELPED SHRUB START THE WAR!!! Let's not forget that you two-faced, gay bashing, don't-ask-don't-tell monster! How many deaths are on YOUR HANDS pig? You smugly stood on live TV carrying on about WMD's. We're you wrong then? Were you duped by evil Bush, Mr. War Hero?

You claim to stand for Barack but all you are is the latest in a series of wharf rats fleeing a sinking ship! Why do you wait? Where were you 6 months ago when Barack really needed the support? You were for the war in Iraq.. Heck, you made the case for it. You are opposed to taxes. You would pad the pockets of the defense contractors who pay your way! Lets not forget, Powell was a member of Bush’s National Energy Policy Development Group during his first term.

DId you just decide today that we need your input? Go back to obscurity where you belong and keep away from our candidate, with whom you have little in common with.

For the record, Powell Sez:

** Taxes are a redistribution of wealth
** Open ANWR for regulated production
** Supports vouchers for private schools
** Skin color is not behavioral; sexual orientation is
** Equal opportunity without preferential treatment
** UN faces irrelevance if it does not respond to Iraq
** Government should stay out of the way of free enterprise
** He defends the right to bear arms. As a military man, he would naturally own weapons
** Oil is a vital interest; humanitarianism is not.
** Supports strategy of readiness for 2 near-simultaneous wars.
** Lessen the burdens of taxes & debt.
** Tax dollars are better spent if left in private hands.
** The facts show Iraq has not disarmed.
** Iraq moved weapons to hide them from inspectors.
** Saddam has enough anthrax to kill thousands.
** WMD inspectors eluded by producing weapons in mobile labs.
** Photo shows Iraqi jet modified to spray anthrax.
** Iraq has at least 100 tons of chemical weapons.
** Iraq has been trying to enrich uranium.
** Intelligence shows links between Iraq and terrorists.
** Documented ties between Iraq & Al Qaida.
** Our future is frightening unless we act against Iraq.
** Saddam killed 5,000 Kurds with mustard & nerve gas.
** Post 9/11, we cannot allow Iraq to have nuclear weapons.

And, Finally:
** GOP values fuel families; families build communities.
** Big Tent of GOP restores the American Dream

NO THANK YOU!!!

[bmanley]

"Powell is an honorable man..."

Except for the whole My Lai cover-up in Vietnam. Pretty unforgivable.

"In other words, he wanted to vote for another black man. I'm tired of all of these racists like Powell and Obama."

You are an idiot.

[Lucas]

The only reason Powel is supporting Obama is because Obama is black. Just like the only reason you're supporting John McCain is because he's white. And the hispanics are going to sit this one out while the Martians all vote for Nader (or whoever's with the Green party).

And you're right that he's only after limelight. That's why he turned down the chance to be the first black president... He could have run, and I, a lifelong democrat, would have voted for him. I was hoping he would run.

I want you to think: if Powel had endorsed McCain, would you still think as negatively of him as you do now? How did you think of him last week? If he hadn't supported Obama, I would still respect him greatly as a good man. I would have disagreed with his endorsement, but... and here's the difference:

I can disagree with someone and still think they're a good person. If you hate people who think differently, then you don't belong in a country of tollerance... but it's ok, we won't make you leave because... well... we're tollerant of your intollerance.

[LindsayDawn]

Jan Conner: Your input is very sad. Did you listen to any of the content? The moment you heard him endorse Obama, you decided it was simply because of race. Very, very sad.

[hitsnerros]

Mr. Dickenson, did you take the 7 minutes to listen to Mr. Powell's thoughts and reasoning for his decision? Clearly based on your comments above, either you did not or your thinking was clouded by the racism that so obviously drives your thinking.

[Charles Batch]

For those of you calling Powell's decision based on race (e.g. John Dickenson) - maybe you're the racist.

If you don't think there is a different standard for Obama & McCain, read on.........

We really haven't measured the effect of "race" on the race. Think
about this and what it means about how important "race" is, (and shouldn't be):

Obama/Biden vs McCain/Palin, what if things were switched around?

What if the Obamas had paraded five children across the stage,
including a three month old infant and an unwed, pregnant teenage daughter?

What if John McCain was a former president of the Harvard Law Review?

What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his
graduating class?

What if McCain had only married once, and Obama was a divorcee?

What if Obama was the candidate who left his fir! st wife after a
severe disfiguring car accident, when she no longer measured up to his standards?

What if Obama had met his second wife in a bar and had a long
afffair while he was still married?

What if Michelle Obama was the wife who not only became addicted
to pain killers but also acquired them illegally through her charitable organization?

What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard?

What if Obama had been a member of the Keating Five? (The Keating
Five were five United States Senators accused of corruption i! n 1989,
igniting a major political scandal as part of the larger Savings and Loan crisis of
the late 1980s and early 1990s.)

What if McCain was a charismatic, eloquent speaker?

What if Obama couldn't read from a teleprompter?

What if Obama was the one who had military experience that
included discipline problems and a record of crashing seven planes?

What if Obama was the one who was known to display publicly, on many
occasions, a serious anger management problem?

What if Michelle Obama's family had made their money from beer
distribution?

What if the Obamas had adopted a white child?

You could easily add to this list. If these questions reflected
reality, do you really believe the election numbers would be as close as they are?

Educational Background:

Barack Obama:
Columbia University - B.A. Political Science with a Specialization in
International Relations.
Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

Joseph Biden:
University of Delaware - B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science.
Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

vs.

John McCain:
United States Naval Academy - Class rank: 894 of 899
http://www.clipmarks.com/clipmark/BDEDE2FD-B26C-4161-9232-8B80274B433E/

Sarah Palin:
Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester
North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study
University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism
Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester
University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in Journalism

Education isn't everything, but this is about the two highest offices in the

[Joseph]

Sounds like the only racist is you John Dickenson