Thread: Has the death knell been dealt? Colin Powell choses

I am figuring this is the final nail in the coffin of the McCain/Pal-edintoinsignificance-in campaign.

If not then the US electorate is even more intellectually challenged than Thought possible after Bush x 2.

Obama wins key backing from Powell

55 minutes ago
Barack Obama snatched the crucial backing of former US Secretary of State Colin Powell, as the retired Army general crossed party lines and undermined Republican John McCain's claim that his opponent is not ready to command the US military.
Mr Obama's campaign also announced it had raised a staggering £87 million last month, a figure aided by thousands of new donors pledging relatively small amounts.


Mr McCain, meanwhile, stumped in battleground Ohio, pushing himself as an advocate of working class Americans and small business owners, and asserting that the Illinois senator's tax plan amounted to European-style socialism.


Mr Powell, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, called Mr McCain's claims "an unfortunate characterisation that isn't accurate" and part of an overly negative campaign by "my beloved friend and colleague John McCain, a friend of 25 years".


"I think we need a transformational figure. I think we need a president who is a generational change and that's why I'm supporting Barack Obama, not out of any lack of respect or admiration for Senator John McCain," Mr Powell said on NBC television.
The Gallup Poll daily tracking survey showed on Sunday that Mr Obama was leading McCain nationally by 10 points, 52-42, an upturn after declining to as little as six points last week.


Mr Powell's endorsement could carry significant weight with independent and undecided voters in the final two weeks before the November 4 vote.
In addition to criticising what he said was an overly negative McCain campaign, Mr Powell said the 72-year-old senate veteran's running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, was not ready. "I don't believe she's ready to be president of the US, which is the job of the vice president," Mr Powell said.

Mr McCain was being interviewed on Fox News as Powell endorsed Mr Obama. He reacted by reminding viewers he had the backing of four former secretaries of state and scores of current and former military leaders. "We have a respectful disagreement," he said of Mr Powell.


In an interview with New York's WWOR-TV, Ms Palin responded to Mr Powell's criticism, saying: "I beg to differ with him. Not only will my executive experience be put to very good use ... but also, you know the vision that I share with John McCain."

The Press Association: Obama wins key backing from Powell

An important event no doubt. But should McCain fail I think the history books will refer to his appointment of Sarah 'Hey I can see Russia From here' Palin as the defining moment of it all beginning to go pear-shaped.

Colin Powell is the big liar, right?

At least he's a minority -- he's got that going for him.

Was there any doubt who he would vote for?

The GOP has approximately seven blacks expressing interest in voting for the old white guy. Powell ain't one of 'em.

Word.

Originally Posted by Texpat

Colin Powell is the big liar, right?

Dunno if it's fair to characterise him as the big liar, but he was certainly a part of the big lie.

Not quite sure what you are getting at, Texpat. Are you suggesting that he is only supporting Obama on racial lines?
I'd doubt that would be the case, at least I hope not. He may have been part of the 'big lie' but he's smarter than believing someone is capable of running what is the most powerful nation simply because of his skin colour.

I honestly think Obama will make a better president and his policies will be far more beneficial for the US than just going down the same road of the past 8 years . . . This has nothing to do with partisan beliefs, just a thought based on policy.

I also think, however, that this election result will be a poisoned chalice to the victor, whoever that may be, as the US is in such a deep pile of doo-doo that it will be tough and painful to get out of it.

Powell -- Obama's SecDef?

Powells validation is certainly valuable, but the election was already decided as far as I'm concerned. There may well be grounds to offer him a post in the new administration- maybe Sec of State again? But thats up to Obamas team.

Right now it is the magnitude of Obamas victory which is the real question, as mcCain is struggling in previously blue states like Virginia, New Mexico, Colorado & even N Dakota.

Originally Posted by Texpat

Powell -- Obama's SecDef?

An interesting proposition. He could do worse I guess.

simply put........yes........personally I think the McCain camp blew it when there was a chance to dump Palin after her recent circumstances with her trooper gate scandal. by that point they had a clear indication that she was going to be more of an anchor as their numbers were dropping just like one. they should have used that to ask her to resign and sought maybe Charlie Crist from Florida.. The timing would have given them a new bump in the race closer to the election and more distraction and an unexpected new foe for the Obama camp to deal with where the Dems are concerned..

I agree with Gibbon though it may be a one term-er for Obama and the dems, if they can't get this thing back on point towards recovery, it'll all fall on their shoulders..could be devastating for a long time if not..

Originally Posted by sabang

Powells validation is certainly valuable, but the election was already decided as far as I'm concerned. There may well be grounds to offer him a post in the new administration- maybe Sec of State again? But thats up to Obamas team.

Right now it is the magnitude of Obamas victory which is the real question, as mcCain is struggling in previously blue states like Virginia, New Mexico, Colorado & even N Dakota.

Powell would make a good SecDef, IMO.

Yes, Obama is pulling away in Virginia. This is very, very, significant.

New Mexico is for Obama now. North Dakota is leaning Obama. Colorado leaning Obama.

And then there is the neck-and-neck race in Florida and Ohio.

Originally Posted by DrivingForce

simply put........yes........personally I think the McCain camp blew it when there was a chance to dump Palin after her recent circumstances with her trooper gate scandal.

He could have used the trooper gate scandal (would it work?) to dump Palin.

After her Couric interview, many independents began to question voting for McCain, according to polling data.

(Source: forgotten, but I read it today.)

Originally Posted by Milkman

And then there is the neck-and-neck race in Florida and Ohio.

Obama is ahead in both, but only just according to today's polls.

they also have mcain up by about 6 in Virginia.

I am still not convinced Obama has this election wrapped up. His lead in the polls is commanding but US voters have been swayed in the final hour.

Sometimes a very simple thing can do it. During the Reagan/Carter race, Carter was slightly ahead in the polls. On the eve of the election, Reagan gave a good speech and ended with "When you go to the polls tomorrow ask yourself, am I better off now than I was four years ago."

Not at all sure what McCain can do but it does happen.

Originally Posted by panama hat

Not quite sure what you are getting at, Texpat. Are you suggesting that he is only supporting Obama on racial lines?

Well Hell yea, what did you expect?
Powell has a bunch of human blood and a tad of darkie.

Barry Obama has half human blood, 2/6 Arab blood and a 1/6 Darkie ...

Originally Posted by blackgang

Originally Posted by panama hat

Not quite sure what you are getting at, Texpat. Are you suggesting that he is only supporting Obama on racial lines?

Well Hell yea, what did you expect?
Powell has a bunch of human blood and a tad of darkie.

Barry Obama has half human blood, 2/6 Arab blood and a 1/6 Darkie ...

I doubt that skin color is the reason that Powell is voting for BO.

Go back and look at Powell's career, work with the GOP, and look how he was treated under GWB and the Neo-Cons.

Most importantly, IMO: look how the Republican party has changed.

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

An interesting proposition. He could do worse I guess.

Ditto the above

Originally Posted by DrivingForce

I agree with Gibbon though it may be a one term-er for Obama and the dems, if they can't get this thing back on point towards recovery, it'll all fall on their shoulders..could be devastating for a long time if not..

The poisoned chalice . . . gett he power and inherit the massive mess

Originally Posted by Norton

I am still not convinced Obama has this election wrapped up.

Same . . . not for the reason Norton mentions, though . . . and Powell as Sec Def? Two 'black' men in the top five? I doubt the US electorate would swallow that.

Originally Posted by blackgang

Powell has a bunch of human blood and a tad of darkie. Barry Obama has half human blood, 2/6 Arab blood and a 1/6 Darkie ...

You're an idiot . . . a funny idiot, but an idiot none-the-less.

Originally Posted by panama hat

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

An interesting proposition. He could do worse I guess.

Ditto the above

Originally Posted by DrivingForce

I agree with Gibbon though it may be a one term-er for Obama and the dems, if they can't get this thing back on point towards recovery, it'll all fall on their shoulders..could be devastating for a long time if not..

The poisoned chalice . . . gett he power and inherit the massive mess

The US economy will have very serious problems for a long time, IMO.

SS, Medicare, declining wages for 38 years, inflation, gas prices, etc.

What can the US federal government do about this?

Not much, IMO.


When Presidential candidates and sitting Presidential administrations talk about the Macro-economy, it's an appeal to the masses.

But in reality, there is little the gov can do, excpet for some minor tweaking in the complicated and global economic world.

Originally Posted by Milkman

But in reality, there is little the gov can do, excpet for some minor tweaking in the complicated and global economic world.

agreed but even look at Bush, that really isn't the perception of the masses is it?? all that matters is that THEY think the admin has some control over the course..

Actually everything the Bush admin is doing now might ironically bail out Obama's admin over the next 4 years if they don't radically change the direction and there we ago again in this cycle of republicans repairing and democrats riding the results to twin terms and taking all of the credit with a convenient memory of the constituents..

Nah Powell is getting on the good side of who he thinks will win - most likely for a job. If he thought McCain was winning - he'd chosen him.

Originally Posted by DrivingForce

Actually everything the Bush admin is doing now might ironically bail out Obama's admin over the next 4 years if they don't radically change the direction and there we ago again in this cycle of republicans repairing and democrats riding the results to twin terms and taking all of the credit with a convenient memory of the constituents..

And what, exactly, is the Bush administration doing now?

Bush came into office on the back of a Clinton surplus, that's gone. Oh wait, that was the Democrats fault too right?

Originally Posted by DrivingForce

Actually everything the Bush admin is doing now might ironically bail out Obama's admin over the next 4 years if they don't radically change the direction and there we ago again in this cycle of republicans repairing and democrats riding the results to twin terms and taking all of the credit with a convenient memory of the constituents..

Dude, strictly no when posting . . .