Colin Powell will skip GOP convention

AP | 10:42 a.m. ET Aug. 10, 2004 | The Associated Press

[Former Military Chick]

I had not heard anything about his not attending. I think he should be there. It does trouble me. I am sure his reasons are valid. But, I do think the GOP would like him there to rev up the troops.

Did a search and found nothing on Poweell for this article.

[samadams2000]

Maybe he and McCain will hold their own convention.

[sharktrager]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1187095/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1188797/posts

[RW1974]

This isn't a surprise at all. President Bush has asked Powell and Rumsfeld to stay out of domestic politics during the election. There's a tradition of cabinet secretaries, especially those in foreign policy positions, to try to stay out of partisan politics as much as possible. This is a non-story.

[Ron in Acreage]

I can't blame him. Why put up with all the bs that will be going on in NY city? He can get face time on TV any time he chooses. More people will watch Meet the Press than the convention. Or he can write an Op Ed that could be published in any and all major papers and the web.

[luvbach1]

Perhaps he has been stung by the criticism caused by his endorsement of an insulting Demonrat plan to invite UN monitors to our 2004 elections.

[bayourod]

Too bad, I was hoping to see him do his Village People routine.

[Former Military Chick]

Do you ever find yourself searching and nothing showing then posting and there are links. I am sorry for the duplicate. Thank you for the posts on the site.

[kylaka]

This is SOP, and AP is trying to make it some kind of snub.
None of the cabinet ever attends the nominating convention, of either party.

[QQQQQ]

"Traditionally, Cabinet officials do not speak at the conventions – or other campaign events. Secretary of State Colin Powell will not break the unwritten rule despite his status as the most popular Republican in the country, according to the Washington Post.

"As secretary of state, I am obliged not to participate in any way, shape, fashion or form in parochial, political debates; I have to take no sides in the matter," Powell told the Unity: Journalists of Color Convention last week."

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/8/7/180040.shtml

[Former Military Chick]

Thanks so much. Excellent post, good info.

[Finalapproach29er]

He (Powell) said President Bush told both him and Rummy: NO POLITICING!

[sharktrager]

I usually just use the most simple key word(s), in this case Powell, and sort by posting date.

[BurbankKarl]

Colin Powell will be President if NYC has a really bad incident.

[Former Military Chick]

I appreciate the help. I will try it that way. I generally do the writer and then a word that isn't as common. But, always ready to learn a better way.

[canalabamian]

Probably not a good idea to have all of the top administration members in the same location anyway, in case something bad does happen.

[KQQL]

Powell DON"T WANT W relected...he's a super RINO

[thoughtomator]

Smart thing to do with regard to preserving the line of succession, should the worst happen.

[Mercat]

This morning on Fox there was some weirdo with a bad gottee who was saying that there were 20 suitcase nukes in the country. This convention has got to be a security nightmare. OBL's last tape said that there would be an attack on a date certain which happens to be the night of Bush's acceptance speech. Someone has to be off site in case NY blows up. I think this is the true reason he's not going to be there... at least on that last night.