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 ...
Better put your "Just Kidding" in larger font next time. I was already halfway to the clock tower.
So, that's clear.
/mitt out.
It happens.
Powell doesn’t particularly like Republicans. I’m not sure why he still claims to be one. Or why he would want to be our candidate.
In the late nineties I’d have voted for him gladly. I thought he would eventually be our nominee and president.
But after his shenanigans during GW’s years, his betrayal of his honor in the Libby case, his backing of the Democrats for president when we badly needed him, and his general lack of any philosophical compass of any kind as far as I can tell, the answer is “no”. He’s not the droid we’re looking for.
I wouldn’t follow that racist bastard to the latrine. Actually, I wouldn’t lead him to the latrine, either.
YHGTBSM....
>But to win in 2012, Republicans have no choice but to win over millions of voters who, like Powell, backed Obama in 2008....
By alienating tens of millions.
Back in 1996, he was seen as an Eisenhower-like figure............................................. I don’t think so! Ike was probably the most underrated president of the last century.
The author of this article is on some kind of juice. He needs to see a shrink.
This is one of those trail balloon things that should have been popped before anyone touched a keyboard. He voted for Obama. What would be his platform then “I’m the slow train to socialism as opposed to Barry’s bullet train to socialism.”?
Every time Colin speaks he is becoming more and more of a bad parody of a leftist comedian. I mean he really needs to work on his stand up routine if he going to be taken seriously on the comedy channel or get invited to the next Whitehouse Obama roasting event. Maybe Wanda Sykes can give him some pointers. (/sarc) (for the slower readers in Rio Linda)
There is a greater chance of Hillary wresting the Democratic nomination, and winning the Presidency in 2012...
I think Powell has a better chance of being voted out of the GOP than being its next candidate. I lost all respect for him after he voted for 0bama based on racial solidarity.
He should run against Obama as a Democrat.
Nah, he can’t even lead himself to the Republican Party.
His shameful treatment McCain during the last election is proof of that. McCain was supposedly exactly the kind of Republican candidate that Powell wanted. He was a personal ‘friend’ to boot. However, Powell very publicly endorsed Obama, at the exact moment where such endorsement would do the most damage to McCain.
In other words race trumped country, friendship, and party. We won't forget and we don't want him. Period.
Well, of course, I skipped it. I only clicked on the link to read the posts.
Don’t discount this out of hand. I am sure he would give Obama a run for his money in the Democratic primary.
I would not vote for him.
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