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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: Graybeard58
Powell/Romney 2012!

Better put your "Just Kidding" in larger font next time. I was already halfway to the clock tower.

61 posted on 07/14/2009 3:58:21 PM PDT by Charles Martel ("Endeavor to persevere...")
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To: Graybeard58
Mitt would be all blubbering about his mythical walk with MLK and how just like wanting to be in Vietnam( Especially as LRRP ) he was also, strongly, but silently, but strongly against the Mormon Church's Official racism, but with the Church and with Negro...er..dar..um Black Americans.

So, that's clear.

/mitt out.

62 posted on 07/14/2009 4:00:18 PM PDT by Leisler ("It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged."~G.K. Chesterton)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

It happens.


63 posted on 07/14/2009 4:01:39 PM PDT by rabscuttle385 ("If this be treason, then make the most of it!" —Patrick Henry)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

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.


64 posted on 07/14/2009 4:03:32 PM PDT by marron
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

I wouldn’t follow that racist bastard to the latrine. Actually, I wouldn’t lead him to the latrine, either.


65 posted on 07/14/2009 4:03:59 PM PDT by j_tull (I may make you feel, but I can't make you think.)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

YHGTBSM....


66 posted on 07/14/2009 4:04:29 PM PDT by Bean Counter ( Shovel ready...)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

>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.


67 posted on 07/14/2009 4:07:01 PM PDT by bill1952 (Choice is an illusion created between those with power - and those without)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

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.


68 posted on 07/14/2009 4:10:39 PM PDT by Bringbackthedraft (Democrats have nothing to fear but Palin being herself.)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

The author of this article is on some kind of juice. He needs to see a shrink.


69 posted on 07/14/2009 4:11:24 PM PDT by mulligan
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

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)


70 posted on 07/14/2009 4:14:13 PM PDT by Captain Beyond (The Hammer of the gods! (Just a cool line from a Led Zep song))
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

There is a greater chance of Hillary wresting the Democratic nomination, and winning the Presidency in 2012...


71 posted on 07/14/2009 4:14:43 PM PDT by Paradox (When the left have no one to villainize, they'll turn on each other.)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

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.


72 posted on 07/14/2009 4:17:14 PM PDT by Trod Upon (Obama: Making the Carter malaise look good. Misery Index in 3...2...1)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

He should run against Obama as a Democrat.


73 posted on 07/14/2009 4:17:25 PM PDT by 3niner (When Obama succeeds, America fails.)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

Nah, he can’t even lead himself to the Republican Party.


74 posted on 07/14/2009 4:19:58 PM PDT by MIchaelTArchangel
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To: rightwingintelligentsia
Somewhere across the plains of Africa


75 posted on 07/14/2009 4:20:01 PM PDT by McGruff (I guess "Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican" is n/a these days.)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia
In 1996 I might even have voted for him, especially when compared with Bob Dole. These days he is not even a RINO, let alone a Republican.

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.

76 posted on 07/14/2009 4:23:56 PM PDT by NathanR ( Obama: African Colonial,)
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To: billhilly
I’m skipping this article, and hope everyone else does as well.

Well, of course, I skipped it. I only clicked on the link to read the posts.

77 posted on 07/14/2009 4:27:27 PM PDT by justkate
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To: rightwingintelligentsia
He's got to be kidding.

Don’t discount this out of hand. I am sure he would give Obama a run for his money in the Democratic primary.

78 posted on 07/14/2009 4:32:24 PM PDT by usurper (Spelling or grammatical errors in this post can be attributed to the LA City School System)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

79 posted on 07/14/2009 4:35:10 PM PDT by BerryDingle (I know how to deal with communists, I still wear their scars on my back from Hollywood-Ronald Reagan)
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To: rightwingintelligentsia

I would not vote for him.


80 posted on 07/14/2009 4:50:44 PM PDT by taxcontrol
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