I'm convinced Powell will endorse Obama....

[CoffeeCat]

I was worried that Powell might endorse McCain, but after reading several articles that detail
Powell's thoughts on the Iraq war, it is evident that Obama's and Powell's beliefs on the Iraq
war--are nearly identical.

Powell believes in a draw down, and he clearly says it in this article. McCain does not.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/17/AR2006121700494.html

[treestar]

1. I'm not convinced it matters who Powell endorses

But he has managed to make it a major drama! Can't wait until he makes the big reveal!

[Honeycombe8]

8. Yeah, I think a Powell endorsement of McSame could hurt O, but one of O not so sure...

I'm not so sure a Powell endorsement of O will make much difference. Maybe a bit. But a Powell endorsement of McSame might hurt O, I think.

[ps1074]

20. it matters a great deal

It will be the story of at least a couple of news cycles if he endorses Obama. Remember he was Bush's secretary of state. It will take the ACORN and Ayers stories off the front pages. McCain's mini "bounce" started with the ACORN and Ayers 24/7 media coverage...

[skooooo]

2. You're probably right, but...

...I'll believe it when I see it. I've been disappointed by Powell one to many times to get my hopes up.

[OKNancy]

3. Of course he will. There would be no reason

for him to be on Meet the Press if he was not.

[blm]

21. Powell was also a very close friend to Biden for many years, and Bushies lied to him, too, according

to Wilkerson, his Chief of Staff who was blowing the whistle about Iraq lies. I always assumed Bushies lied to Powell, too, because they knew they needed him to convince Biden and other senior Senate Dems who were key figures on military matters.

This could also be Powell's way of addressing his previous wrongs.....BUT.....with ANYONE who has worked for the Bushes, you can never be certain they will do the right thing, as Bushes are also known for using blackmail as a reliable coercion tactic.

[xxqqqzme]

4. that is probably as close as

powell will get to nan endorsement. Who needs an anthrax vial toting, rolling WMD lab lying bushie anyway?

[camera obscura]

17. Just because we don't like him

doesn't mean a huge part of the country doesn't... and the MSM

[volatileblob]

5. When it comes to Republicans, I don't think you can count on logic or...

firmly held beliefs to dictate their behavior.

Basically I will believe it when I see it.

[AlCzervik]

6. i'm not at all, i think he'll decline to endorse.

and i think that hurts McCain.

[ruggerson]

7. I'm not so sure anyone cares

for the most part, the people who give a shit who Powell endorses are already Obama or McCain supporters. Middle American independent swing voters are often low information types who are not going to be influenced either way by Colin Powell.

[Quixote1818]

9. In the movie W Powell was made out to be the only person with any sense

other than Poppy.

[JBoy]

10. It would be good. Can never have too many nails in the coffin.

[Mira]

11. In keeping with what I have come to believe about General Powell

I think it is highly possible he will not endorse.

A man of genuine courage would have addressed the nation, after realizing that his testimony at the UN was a disaster he did not spot and was co-responsible for, and he would have denounced BushCo and resigned.

[msongs]

12. resign? the man did not have enough integrity to do that nt

[quantass]

18. Sadly, this is the only logical conclusion..well said

[BlueIdaho]

13. I hope so - we need to control the news cycle.

Right now McCain is in the driver's seat thanks to the MSM - Its Acorn & Ayers 24/7. We need something to drive the news cycle for the next week or two. A Powell endorsement will help.

[Fluffdaddy]

14. I have no hate for Powell. If he endorse Obama that's great.

But I don't think he will. The man give $2.3K to McCain.

[maddezmom]

15. not sure what I think, maybe a tacit endorsement?

~snip~

Two other colleagues Powell has consulted in recent weeks told The News that while Powell admires McCain, he's roubled that the GOP candidate has surrounded himself with hardline national security advisers.

"McCain has too many neocons working for him," said one Republican source familiar with Powell's thinking.
Powell is also irked that McCain's political handlers orchestrated disingenuous leaks to reporters during the Democratic convention that Powell was a leading candidate to be McCain's running mate.

The News reported in August that when McCain met with Powell in early summer to lobby for his endorsement, Powell told the Arizona senator he wouldn't join the ticket under any circumstances.

Obama also privately lobbied Powell after the primaries and has called the general frequently since in hopes of making the sale. McCain, by contrast, has been AWOL; Powell hasn't heard from him in months.

"He wishes McCain could give him a reason to vote for him, but he hasn't yet," a Powell associate told The News.
Powell told both suitors their politics were a bit too off-center for his tastes: Obama too liberal, McCain too conservative.

more:http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/10/17/2008-10-17_signs_that_republican_colin_powell_will_.html

[BklynChick]

16. I think so too. Hopefully it will obliterate those vile robocalls.

[nevergiveup]

19. I will be astonished if Powell

actually uses the word "endorsement". I think he will say nice things about both of them but I do not think he has the courage to actually endorse Barack. Having said this I also did not think there was a snowballs chance in hell of the Chicago Tribune endorsing Obama. This one cost me a $50.00 bet.

[sarahdemva]

22. I welcome Powells possible endorsement.

[MuseRider]

23. Whatever he does will be done

because he has been told to do it. The man has no conscience or morals of his own. It will have everything to do with strategy and nothing to do with honest commitment.

[jazzjunkysue]

24. Buchannan and the other MSNBC pundit aggree with you. I think not.

I really think the GOP us using Colin yet again, in a desperate attempt to save them. They're do doubt telling him his political future depends on going out and endorsing the flabby white guy over his black brother. In GOP think, he's one of the very few respected (disclaimer: respected by reuglicans, not us) whose endorsement really could help, and give bigots an excuse to vote against the black guy.

They're so far behind and so pathetic, that, yes, an endorsement of Gramps IS worth booking MTP, and brokekaw is so in the tank for them, that I'm sure he's happy to oblige. It also makes Tom feel he's the nitty gritty controversial journalist, being the one with all eyes on him, watching the Judas betray the messiah.

It all fits too nicely into their sick minds.

I think if he were going to endorse Barack, he'd do it off hand at someone else's event. He'd never do it on MTP.

And I think the set-up by Buchanan is calculated for maximum newsiness. "SHocking reversal!"

This is standard operating procedure. Remember: the crooks never change their moves. They lack creativity.

[CoffeeCat]

25. That is a very astute analysis...

...and all I can say is that I hope you are wrong. I really do.

Whoever gets this endorsement will win the coming week's news cycle, and will also win some points
from Independents.

Your viewpoint is very well thought out, and I do agree that Powell has probably been lobbied hard by the
Republicans, so endorse McCain. They all know how much Powell's endorsement means.

However, it's been reported that Obama has regularly been in contact with Obama, but the McCain camp did not.
Also, it was also reported that Powell was ticked that McCain allowed slips and whispers come from the McCain
camp--which suggested that Powell might be in McCain's cabinet. Powell told McCain that this would never, ever
happen. So...I'm seeing signs that Powell doesn't really like McCain and has no meaningful relationship with
him, but Powell seems to have a decent relationship with Obama.

Also, Powell is not happy with the Bush Administration. They asked him to resign and he slipped out quietly.
It was a bit of a slap in the face, when Rumsfeld left and a ginormous party and send off were thrown. I think
Powell is very unhappy with the Republicans right now. There are many signs that point to this, including
his rhetoric in that 1998 article--in which he comes out against the surge and for a draw-down of forces.

I think the Republican party has gotten too neocon-y, even for Powell. Powell has suggested that McCain
surrounds himself with too many neocons.

I think the MTP show is an opportunity for Powell to not only endorse, but to distance himself from the neocons.
He can point out their failed policies and set a new political course for himself--possibly in an Obama
administration. I think this MTP show could be Powell redefining himself and hitting hard on the neocons.
Powell truly could help to put the neocons in their place.

However, your points are well taken and I do share your disdain for the neocons. I agree with you that they
have a limitless capacity for evil. So, anything is possible.