Colin Powell: Will he FINALLY endorse Barack Obama?

Credit NBC with putting together back-to-back lures for political junkies.

Sarah Palin's long-rumored appearance on "Saturday Night Live" this weekend is a done deal. And folks watching for that can just keep their sets tuned to the network when they go to bed, because the "must-see" TV on Sunday morning will be Colin Powell's appearance -- announced today -- on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Credit Powell with having starred in this campaign's longest-running guessing game: Would the famed former Army general and former secretary of state under President Bush, who flirted with seeking the Republican presidential nomination in 1996, cross party lines and publicly back Barack Obama?

The buzz today is that he will do so in the Sunday show spotlight. If so, it will end speculation that began more than a year ago -- and periodically would reignite.

In an interview on "Meet" in June, 2007, Powell created a stir when he pointedly declined to commit to endorsing whomever might emerge as the GOP presidential nominee. This year, his every word and action have been closely watched -- and usually interpreted as indicatin of a pro-Obama slant (see here, here, and here). One report --off-the-mark, as it turned out -- suggested Powell would deliver a dramatic speech at the Democratic National Convention on Obama's behalf.

If anything, anything less than a Powell embrace of Obama this weekend would be a letdown for the Democrat. As for its potential benefit, here's what Jonathan Martin astutely has to say at Politico.com:

It wouldn't exactly be a profile in courage on Powell's part to get behind Obama now, but it would help rehabiliate his post-Iraq image in some quarters.   And it would be the sort of validating endorsement -- Republican, military man, well-known elder statesman -- that the Democrats would trumpet in the closing days of the campaign to assure voters that Obama is a "safe" pick.

-- Don Frederick   

Comments

[Jim]

Dear General Powell:
It was an honor and a privilege to serve under your leadership.

Sir, you and I both took an oath to uphold and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic.

I have never recanted my oath, nor have I been relieved of it.

I pray sir that you are as resolute in your convictions.

The voting records of both candidates are clear.
One is a proponent of national defense.

The other would leave our level military readiness a mere shell of its former strength.
As indicated by his voting record.

One is a danger to the Constitution. of the United States of America.

We all agree that McCain is not our favorite choice.

However the alternative is unthinkable to any soldier who still holds his oath.

On behalf of the majority of enlisted servicemen I must ask:

Sir: Do you still stand with us?

GSE2 Hamel Ex-nav-Hon

[claire]

GSE2 Hamel Ex-nav-Hon,

Do you stand with the American people and the right thing?

Do you believe The Republican party has stood for the right thing regarding our constitution and the troops? I do see John McCain as part of this party.

I am a concerned citizen who comes from a family rich in service and sacrifice to our country. Including my Father.

How did the past voting records of Dick Cheney show as far as a proponent of national defense? How has he left our level of readiness?

On behalf of all the citizens of the great country that all the wonderful men and women of the service protect, and for their sake, I ask General Powell, please stand with us! The country you love so much to sacrifice so much for. Stand with the right and true choice of character and insight to todays challenges. One who has humility and will obviously take as much advice as possible from great men, citizen and servicemen such as yourself. Barak Obama.

Please. Thank you.

[crossroads]

Someone who sings, "bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, Iran!' is not ready to lead, rather either suffering from Alheimer's or a complete moron. A country w/o a sound economy & educational system is not a Superpower, rather a fading power ala the Roman Empire. Grow up, we're not going to invade any country, rather get our own country in order. McShame has also voted against vets benefits, and didn't want them to get combat pay after major hostilities ended in Iraq. A real friend of servicemen? What a joke.

[M.P. Donegal]

I second the comment from Jim. Barrack Obama does not meet the minimum job requirements for command... for a commission even as a second Lieutenant/Ensign - and most certainly as Commander in Chief. He would not (as a simple point of fact) even meet the security and background requirements that enlisted men and women must face when seeking a position defending our country that requires a clearance.

The point here is simple. He does not meet the requirements. For "non-military-friendly" folks out there who might scratch their heads a bit at this fact - you might compare it to seeking an admission to an Ivy league law school... having never earned a high school diploma... much less an undergraduate degree.

He has no business commanding the Armed Forces of the United States of America. We are a tool to him (one that he does not know how to properly wield) - nothing more.

SSG M. Donegal
USA

[carol]

Colin Powell should be the next president.

[Joshua Womack]

I do not feel a vote for Obama is a vote to diminish our armed forces. Obama has made it clear that we need to use all our resources more effectively, military and diplomacy. Voting for McCain will not destroy the economy either. Mr. Powell please speak from your experience and heart on whom you plan to endorse. I for one will not feel you have let me down if you endorse either candidate, as I know you will further explain to the American people how you reached your conclusions. I respect that you have said and done what you feel is right for our country throughout your career.

For those wondering, I am voting for Obama in three weeks and I will not hide that. I will say that I started off as a fan of John McCain towards the beginning of the race, right now I am not pleased with him but I hope in the future he will again earn my admiration.

[Daniel]

SSG M. Donegal,

I hope you realize that it is a violation of federal law to use your governmental affiliation while making political statements.

I have no issues with your political position but you need to check your association at the door. Especially if you are concerned about your own security clearence

[Honey Rogers]

General Powell, give Barack Obama that final boost from the most respected man in America. I know this to be hard because John McCain is a friend. Patritism and love of country should come before friendship. If he is a true friend he will surely understand because his judgment is in question, Ms. Palin is not prepared to be governor of Alaska. She has an ethical scandal in her recent past that goes against all that the old McCain stood for. When the race is over, I hope when he's sitting at his ranch he can recant and meditate on his decision to put our country at risk by selecting Sarah Palin as his chose as the most qualified Republicans your party have to offer.

[Rexreddy]

Afghanistan has been nullified, and so has Iraq.
Iran cannot move a column of armor or mass troops through Turkey.
We control the sea lanes.
In effect Iran has been surrounded and incapacitated without anyone firing a shot.
It may be necessary to use surgical strikes to minimize tactical weaponry advances.
A formal invasion is not required.
So in short we incapacitated three rogue states that were bent on the destruction of Israel for the price of two.
Syria doesn’t have the stones to attack without the others. So make that four rouge states.

That was the tactical advantage in this scenario.
Did anyone on the left catch that?

No you were all too busy making fun of his pronunciation of the word Nooke-U-lar.
Steven Hawkins talks funny too.

So McSame would not invade Iran. Neither would George Bush. There is presently no tactical advantage in it.

Now the Obama strategy is to pull out the troops and let Iran charge in to Israel like a flood from a dam that has burst.

With Israel’s influence on world markets, the world financial situation would look ten times worse than it does now. Not to mention the effect on oil industry.

That’s the clear and present danger.

[Pete]

For those army types on board I believe that the service you give to your country is unquestioned. However you must know that Gen. Powell is a clever and thoughtful man and would not be (possibly) backing Obama if he did not think he was suitable to be Commander in Chief.

As for Obama not being qualified to be Commander in Chief it is simply nonesense. Bush (43) and Clinton do not meet your standards yet performed as Commander in Chief. Was Queen Elizabeth qualified as as solide, no, but led her men to victory. Commander in Chief is a position wereby you need sound judgement to decide on the best course of action from advice given to you by professionals. Gen Powell thinks Obama is that man and so do I.

Pete

[Anna FL]

General Powell and then Sec. of State has served this country well, he is a man of conscience and the only Republican who I think does not sleep well at night because of the war in Iraq and the hand he was dealt in that effort. Powell is also a thinking man and knows that Barack Obama has a mission to bring the USA back to a leadership role in the world, as well as the knowledge to know that a truly great leader surrounds him with intelligent experts who inform the leader of all options. This is in direct contrast to the Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Rove machine which already had an agenda and tried to pull the strings of Powell to play out that agenda. They succeeded for a while but he left when he had the chance. That said I think that Powell as a member of a bipartisan team that Barack Obama wants to place together is exactly what this country needs, there are many people on both sides of the aisle that are willing to work for the citizens of the USA.

[J. Smith]

SSG M. Donegal:
Your wrote that:
"[Obama] would not (as a simple point of fact) even meet the security and background requirements that enlisted men and women must face when seeking a position defending our country that requires a clearance."
Can you specify which "security and background" requirements Sen. Obama fails to meet? Thanks,

J. Smith

[Murphy Slaw]

There is more to USA power than military domination, as Colin Powell appreciates. The situation in Iraq and Afghanistan reveals the limits of military power.

Our current president hollowed out our economy, exploited the intelligence and military servicemen for his crass political gain, ran massive deficits and destroyed the most powerful economy on earth. Along the way, the Bush Administration cruelly used Colin Powell to shill for the anthrax "threat", then discarded him.

I will not even talk about the greatest security threat to the USA: world climate change. Nor the abrogation of civil rights cherished by civilized nations for 1000 years. Nor the Katrina disasters, Abu Graib shame, torture policy, corruption of Justice Dept, and other crimes.

The USA has sacrificed moral and economic power in favor of military aggression. The world observes and notes the decline of a superpower from internal corruption.

It will be a remarkable statement by Gen'l Powell if he endorses Obama and helps our nation heal from the catastrophic Bush administration.

[Russell]

I would have gladly voted for Powell, to be President,
But Destiny, had other plans. He was ment to be the
significant Person to Elect Obama.
Thank you Colin, Mr Powell For this Historic Moment.

[aksel]

Posted by: M.P. Donegal | October 17, 2008 at 01:16 PM

"For "non-military-friendly" folks out there who might scratch their heads a bit at this fact - you might compare it to seeking an admission to an Ivy league law school... having never earned a high school diploma... much less an undergraduate degree.

He has no business commanding the Armed Forces of the United States of America."

I would remind Mr Donegal that we have civilian leadership of the military for a number of good reasons. To suggest that McCains service qualifies him uniquely among the two (or four if you count the VPs) is to ignore the good reasons and traditions for civilian leadership.

The military has recently reminded us that if one has a hammer then every problem looks like a nail. I for one am not convinced that McCain understands the larger strategic role of the military in the 21st century, nor that important underpinning of American influence, soft power.

[Gordon]

If we are really lucky, perhaps General Powell will announce that he is a write-in candidate for Pres, with Mitt Romney as his running mate. That would take care of the military/foreign affairs and the economics issues in one fell swoop. That would be a combination that I could actually feel good about voting for!

[John Quimby]

Rexreddy,

I am on the left and I caught it. You make good points about strategy. Wonder why Bush was never so clear.

I have 2 current service members in my family and I am very concerned (as they are) about civilian leadership.

Don Rumsfeld? Discredited and eerily similar to Robert McNamara.

Colin Powell? Those who used his loyalty should be ashamed.

Valerie Plame? Please - you and I aren't even packed to go there.

The reason I want Obama in charge as the Constitutional Commander in Chief (he gets all the help he needs from the Joint Chiefs) is because I WANT the smartest guy in the room to listen and ask the right questions.

I want the SMARTEST guy in the room to make the political decisions before pulling the trigger.
Shoot first, aim later isn't wise policy.

Meantime, I think Obama has him beat for civilian leadership hands down.

[M.P Donegal]

Danielle,
You have a problem with my “governmental affiliation” then? Let me help you with your problem. My “affiliation” provides me with a perspective you may not appreciate or understand. Your lack of appreciate or understanding is troubling, but not a great concern to me. Neither is your lack of understanding about when and how I may voice my thoughts and concerns – particularly ones that are of grave matter – while using the rank that I have earned. Being a soldier, particularly one in the combat zone, is not what I would call an “association” or an “affiliation” … it is my life.

I’m not sure what you thought your comment might do. Keep me from opposing Barrack Obama?

And I do not believe for a second that you have “no issues with” my “political position” – because you very neatly told THIS soldier to keep his comments to himself. And I don’t think it requires any stretch of reason to realize that active-duty military personnel have MUCH more interest in who the next Commander in Chief will be than Colin Powell. Why don’t YOU check your barracks lawyer rubbish at the door… since you clearly don’t know what you’re talking about???

SSG M. Donegal
USA