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Powell '12: Can the former secretary of state lead the GOP to victory?
Forbes.com ^ | July 13, 2009 | Reihan Salam

Posted on 07/14/2009 3:33:55 PM PDT by rightwingintelligentsia

Could Colin Powell run against Barack Obama as a Republican and win? The idea is more than a little fanciful. Alma Powell, Colin Powell's wife, has long opposed her husband's political forays. And of course a presidential campaign would be an ordeal for a man Powell's age, his robust health notwithstanding. It doesn't help that there is no clamor for a Powell presidential campaign.

Back in 1996, he was seen as an Eisenhower-like figure who could unite Republicans and independents to defeat Bill Clinton. Since then, Powell has alienated Republicans with his sharp criticisms of social conservatives and his support for affirmative action, among other things. Then, of course, there was his 2008 endorsement of Obama. After the election, Dick Cheney wondered aloud if Powell still considered himself a Republican at all. In a party that feels down and out, such displays of disloyalty are not exactly welcome. But to win in 2012, Republicans have no choice but to win over millions of voters who, like Powell, backed Obama in 2008.

To that end, Powell could be exactly the presidential candidate Republicans need. Consider Powell's interview with John King on CNN's State of the Union last weekend. For whatever reason--perhaps to preserve his reputation as an independent, above-the-fray voice--the former secretary of state raised serious questions about President Obama's leadership. Powell is convinced that the president is expanding government too much and too quickly, a view he shares with the Republican base. Rather than couch his objections in ideological terms, Powell used the sober language of fiscal responsibility. He didn't advocate limited government for its own sake, and he acknowledged that American voters consider the many issues the White House is tackling to be very important.

(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...


TOPICS: Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2012gopprimary; barfalert; colinpowell; colonpowell; conservatism; liberals; powell; powell2012; powellromney; rino; rinoparty; rinopurge; rinos; rnc; romney; romneypowell
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

I’m skipping this article, and hope everyone else does as well.


21 posted on 07/14/2009 3:40:58 PM PDT by billhilly
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

Tried RINO last time...didn’t work.


22 posted on 07/14/2009 3:41:16 PM PDT by 5thGenTexan
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To: rightwingintelligentsia
I will not vote for powell.
ever
23 posted on 07/14/2009 3:42:19 PM PDT by novemberslady
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To: rightwingintelligentsia
To that end, Powell could be exactly the presidential candidate Republicans need.

That's what the "experts" said about McCain, and Powell still voted for Obama.

24 posted on 07/14/2009 3:42:48 PM PDT by Night Hides Not (If Dick Cheney = Darth Vader, then Joe Biden = Dark Helmet)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia
No.

Next silly question?

25 posted on 07/14/2009 3:42:55 PM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (I miss the competent fiscal policy and flag waving patriotism of the Carter Administration)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia
These people are insane. GOP party is gone. It's just taking time to die.
26 posted on 07/14/2009 3:43:37 PM PDT by Centurion2000 (Only feces and dead fish go with the flow.)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

Ummm I wouldn’t vote for Powell if it meant keeping Obama out of the White House another 4 years. Powell is death by 1000 paper cuts. Obama will ruin the country and we’ll rebuild it from the ground up.


27 posted on 07/14/2009 3:44:00 PM PDT by NoobRep
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To: 5thGenTexan

Exactly! no more RINOs. Sarah, Sarah, Sarah!!!


28 posted on 07/14/2009 3:44:19 PM PDT by Colorado Cowgirl (God bless America!)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

~ROFLOL~~~~~~


29 posted on 07/14/2009 3:44:19 PM PDT by Arizona Carolyn
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

You mean can the guy who endorsed the Dim one election lead the fight against him the next time? how?


30 posted on 07/14/2009 3:44:38 PM PDT by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

The answer is NO...his wife won’t let him!


31 posted on 07/14/2009 3:45:26 PM PDT by FES0844
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To: rightwingintelligentsia
He'd never get the GOP nomination, after endorsing 0bama in 08.
32 posted on 07/14/2009 3:45:51 PM PDT by The_Victor (If all I want is a warm feeling, I should just wet my pants.)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia
Powell/Romney 2012!

 (Just kidding)

33 posted on 07/14/2009 3:46:03 PM PDT by Graybeard58 ( Selah.)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

FUCP


34 posted on 07/14/2009 3:46:12 PM PDT by listenhillary (90% of our problems could be resolved with a government 10% of the size it is now.)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

Heck even Romney would be better than Powell...which ain’t saying much.


35 posted on 07/14/2009 3:46:12 PM PDT by big'ol_freeper ("Anyone pushing Romney must love socialism...Piss on Romney and his enablers!!" ~ Jim Robinson)
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To: Azzurri

. . .and I’m sure we know what her name would be. . .


36 posted on 07/14/2009 3:46:33 PM PDT by Salgak (Acme Lasers presents: The Energizer Border: I dare you to try and cross it. . .)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia
Hell NO!

How can he claim he wants to run against a person in the OTHER PARTY that HE VOTED FOR as a "Republican"!

He should officially change his party affiliation to match his beliefs and run against Obama as Democrat.

37 posted on 07/14/2009 3:46:50 PM PDT by DB
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

Is this a Colinoscopy?


38 posted on 07/14/2009 3:47:16 PM PDT by LRS (Just contracts; just laws; just a constitution...)
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To: Graybeard58

Hey, interesting thought, Powell would actually have to WORK and EXPLAIN his positions to public. Then he’d have to EXPLAIN his backing of Obama in 2008.

At this point, the alarm bell rings and people wake up from the nightmare.


39 posted on 07/14/2009 3:47:50 PM PDT by ak267
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

Ha ha ha! The Left’s favorite ‘next generation’ Republican pundit endorsing the Left’s favorite last generation Republican non-candidate.


40 posted on 07/14/2009 3:47:53 PM PDT by 9YearLurker
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