Reply #13: I think I understand why.

[morillon]

You know what the narrative would be, if Powell went for a full-fledged endorsement: he's picking the Black guy because he is himself Black. Now *I* don't believe that and probably nobody HERE believes that, but that's the story some would try to advance. You KNOW some Republican would say it, and things are so wacky now that they might not even bother with code.

Discussing both candidates on their merits -- and harshly dissecting McCain's serious shortcomings as a commander-in-chief from a military perspective -- could be very effective indeed. If what he says helps Obama win and gets him more votes and credibility with military types, I am all for it.