Why the Powell backtrack?

[CatWoman]

Is he being forced to back down from the quitting the Bush Administration story because of his token status?

Make no mistake about it -- Powell is in this administration for one, and only one reason -- because he's black.

Bush* can't have his obligatory token talking about leaving his administration -- not now.

After he is reselected, it would not be a problem.

But not now when he is trying to appeal to other blacks.

[jagguy]

1. no

its going to be a slow news month but somebody still needs to sell some papers so things get invented.

[The Night Owl]

2. On tonight's Hardball, Tweety floated a theory that...

... the Neocons in the administration leaked the rumours about Powell leaving to make Powell a lame duck in 2004.

My theory is that the Bushies are employing creative chaos.

[grasswire]

4. Could be creative chaos

...but Andrea Mitchell stated it as a matter of fact, that this was a leak to weaken Powell. She's pretty straightforward. (And I believe she's loyal to career state-department people.)

[kainah]

6. I think this is right

although I think I hit on another intriguing possibility earlier today. I heard that this meeting between *, Powell & Armitage had been scheduled, secretly, for weeks. So there would seem to me to be a vague possibility that Powell & Armitage thought they were going to be let go and decided to leak this as a way to make it impossible for * to do that.

I think the neocons doing it to weaken Powell is the more likely, but my possibility is a possibility considering the intriguing pre-planned, but secret, meeting.

I do think this is the most interesting story of the day.

[searchingforlight]

3. I think it is because his approval rating is so high.

He is the only one with ANY credibility left and they need someone the people with believe to lie for them. I HOPE he won't be that man but I have my doubts after the war "stories".

I also think they were surprised by all the negative press on any of the possible replacements.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

5. Because for many people Powell's the only sane one...

..in the administration. No Powell and it means that Condelezza Rice and Rummy are running foreign policy thereby lessening G DUHbya's chance of re-election.

[Spintronic]

7. Has anyone heard foggy-bottom deny it himself?

All I've heard is denials that Colin spoke to the media, similar comments. I have not heard him say, "I will remain with this administration through the next term. I will not resign/step down following the election."

[qanda]

8. Probably didn't clear it with Rove...

they must wait until the day they kill Saddam or catch Osama to release this type of information.

[Ilsa]

9. Colin Powell's wife...

I heard that Colin's wife had told him that she wanted him in the admin for only the first term because she hates the washington power game. I think it's her ploy to help get him out.

Won't matter. None of the pricks will be there after our regime change in 2004.

[librechik]

10. Yeah, Gary Hart for Sec of State!

if IQs come back in style in 04

[TomNickell]

11. He'd have to deny it in any case....

If Powell announces he is leaving, he becomes a lame duck.

Also hurts reelection chance, since many consider Powell the responsible foreign policy person.

[Gore1FL]

12. I seem to recall

he stated a long time ago (maybe even pre-9/11) that he was out if there was a second term. We discussed it here.

Anyone remember who was around then?