An Uneasy Alliance: The Flipside of Powell’s Endorsement

GOPublius.com ^ | October 19, 2008 | GOPublius.com

[americanophile]

In a surprise announcement designed to have maximum media effect, former Secretary of State, Colin Powell, endorsed Senator Barack Obama. While early media reports have trumpeted the announcement as a coup for Obama, the endorsement is likely to shock many longtime anti-war, anti-Bush Democrats who will feel betrayed and uncomfortable with the notion of Obama receiving support from one of the leading figures of the Iraq War strategy. Indeed, given Obama’s strategy of opposing all things Bush, the Democrat is likely to find the support of George W. Bush’s former secretary of state a dubious blessing.

While the media will receive the news of Powell’s endorsement with appropriate fanfare, in an election in which Obama’s judgment on the war has been a central justification for his presidency, Powell’s support makes for an awkward pairing. In the eyes of most Democrats and the international media, Powell left the Bush Administration a much-diminished figure, and his salesmanship of the Iraq War before the United Nations has been routinely cited as Exhibit A in the theory that the Bush Administration lied in its justification for the war. Though Powell has long contended that he was convinced by the evidence that he saw prior to making his presentation to the United Nations and supporting the invasion, today’s endorsement places Obama in a difficult position. If Obama and his supporters accept Powell’s endorsement, and embrace his contention that his assessment of pre-war intelligence was an honest mistake, they must also accept the same explanation from Bush, thus eviscerating the core of their anti-war message: “Bush Lied.” Alternatively, to cling to the “Bush lied” theory necessarily mans that Powell’s failure to get it right on Iraq can only be explained by an acknowledgment that Powell himself either lied for, or was duped by the Bush Administration – alternatives not likely to engender esteem for Powell’s judgment.

Moreover, Powell’s support opens up a sweet avenue of attack for rival John McCain, who can now fashion the catch phrase, “Bush-Obama” foreign policy, hanging the albatross of Powell’s support around his opponent’s neck, while trumpeting his own extensive military experience as well as depth of support in the military and diplomatic arenas. In an early response to the Powell endorsement, Senator John McCain coolly noted, “I'm also very pleased to have the endorsement of four former secretaries of state -- Secretaries Kissinger, Baker, Eagleburger, and Haig -- and I'm proud to have the endorsement of well over 200 retired Army generals and admirals."

[americanophile]

A double-edged sword?

[DogBarkTree]

Colon who?

[lookout88]

I am watching the history of the 101st Airborne on the history channel right now. What an insult Powell is to them.

[ncfool]

Notice tht Powell said the surge was three years too late. Well the Democrats and Obama didn’t want the surge. Powell sold his sole and core convictions today as he said it was a black/white issue.

He is finished politically for selling out his values.

[Jeff Head]

I never really trusted Powell myself, but Powell has now trashed both McCain and Palin...McCain over a false-flag judgement issue and Palin for simply being who she is.

Powell has the audacity (hand in glove with Obama no doubt) to question McCain's judgement in picking the most popular governor in the 50 states and who has more executive experience than her two opponents combined...while giving a pass to the judgement of Obama in hob-knobbing around with abject terrorists, corrupt financiers, and militant racists?

It's time we all called things straight. I do not specifically know why Powell made this choice, but I know a skunk when I see one and when I smell one.

One thing for sure, the judgement issue Powell raised is false and ludicrous on its face so it has to be something else. We're probably looking at another Sec State at least, if not VP in the second term should that, God forbid, come about.

I still believe we can stop the first term and am dedicating all my time and efforts and whatever influence I can muster within my own sphere to that goal.

http://www.jeffhead.com/joeplumber.htm

[ElkGroveDan]

Maybe now Bush will come out for Obama. That would be fun, wouldn’t it?

[Kanzan]

Powell has lots of fellow travelers in the State Dept. He’s pretty much a now-show to Republicans and considered a weinie by Conservatives. Any surprise by abyone is faked.

[padre35]

I’d love to agree, but cannot, the Left is willing to jettison whatever principles they claim to have had, as far as they are concerned Powell’s “mea culpa” after he left as Sec State is good enough to absolve him of any taint from the Iraq War.

[ncfool]

Cool! that would prove the Maverick point.

[fightinJAG]

Whatever. Don’t give this endorsement any clicks on sources reporting it. It means nothing and we should help it fade away.

[Enterprise]

WARMONGER endorses OBAMA! Uh, but BUSH lied anyway!

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Powell’s pull — that’s the question. He obviously didn’t help McCain with this endorsement. The question is — will we even remember Powell by Friday?

[Clintonfatigued]

“the endorsement is likely to shock many longtime anti-war, anti-Bush Democrats who will feel betrayed and uncomfortable with the notion of Obama receiving support from one of the leading figures of the Iraq War strategy.”

Unfortunately, that isn’t so. The longtime anti-war, anti Bush Democrats detest Bush so much, an endorsement from Jesse Helms wouldn’t deter them.

[DemonDeac]

His name does roughly translate to butt hole.

[relictele]

Foggy Bottom’s most visible and notorious leaker has sprung another hole in his gillnet. Hardly newsworthy.

[RED SOUTH]

Now I am adding to my list of reasons to vote for McCain -
because he’s white.

If it’s good enough for Powell to vote by race then it’s good for me.

[Carley]

So Powell thinks that old axiom...

Don’t just do something, stand there.......

is the way to lead!

[padre35]

Depends, and endorsement is one thing, hitting the campaign trail is something else completely, we’ll have to see if Powell starts making appearances with the Obamao..

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

Actually, if Powell learns more about Obama, he might reverse his endorsement. And that would be a real shocker. But heck, if he doesn’t have a clue now, why would he later?

[Berlin_Freeper]

Go back and listen to any interview Colin Powell has ever done. As soon as a disputed issue arises his voice breaks.

As far as I am concerned his faking is over. Powell belongs on the Left.