Don't be fooled: Colin Powell will endorse MCCAIN!

[iceman66]

I think that all the rumors flying around about Powell endorsing Obama on MTP are yet another effort on the part of the MSM to undermine the Obama campaign - they want to build expectations for this alleged endorsement to maximize the impact when Powell 'surprisingly' picks McCain instead.

Consider that Powell has been a McCain supporter since the primary season, and donated the maximum amount to his campaign in 2007:

http://fundrace.huffingtonpost.com/neighbors.php?type=name&lname=powell&fname=colin&search=Search

Would he have done that if he was even thinking about supporting Obama?

[WeDidIt]

1. ABSOLUTELY!

And it'll win the news cycle for McCain for the next week.

[scheming daemons]

2. Bet you a $50 donation to the Obama campaign... if you win, I'll donate in YOUR name

[iceman66]

20. I'll take that bet.

If Powell endorses Obama, I will make a $50 donation to the Obama campaign in your name, or the name of your choice. Bookmark this thread!

I see this as a win-win. I kind of hope I do lose the bet, because Powell endorsing Obama can only hurt McCain, even though I don't personally think much of Powell.

[scheming daemons]

34. Agreed! Either way, Obama gets $50!

[iceman66]

37. OK.

We'll settle up after MTP on Sunday.

I do hope you're right, even if it costs me $50!

[iceman66]

49. YOU WIN!

I do not mind losing this particular bet!

I will make a $50 donation to Obama in your name. PM me with info, thanks!

[DU9598]

3. Agreed

It is Tom Brokaw's October surprise ... gosh, I dislike that man now.

[AndyA]

4. I'm wary of Powell as well.

I don't like the man because of what he did for Bush.

And I don't trust him because we know he lied to us.

I don't comprehend how a black man could support the GOP, but there are a few of them who do. I always thought Powell was intelligent, but I doubt that now considering his blind devotion to a party that does so little for his race.

I would not be surprised to see him endorse McSame. And I don't really think there are that many people who really care at this point, but I wouldn't want to give McSame anything he can use to divert attention away from the real issues.

[renie408]

5. Diane Rehm is trying to undermine the Obama campaign? n/t

[Thrill]

6. If he was for McCain, he wouldn't endorse at all.

[OneGrassRoot]

18. I completely agree. Faux is already marginalizing him....

and he would destroy any credibility he may have left by endorsing McCain, with Palin on the ticket.

If he's going to endorse, it will be Obama.

[jazzjunkysue]

48. The pressure from the GOP is probably unrelenting. They want the black guy's

endorsement.

When you realize that Powell has everything to lose and nothing to gain from endorsing Obama, it seems highly unlikely.

And the meme that you want to suck up to the winner won't fly with me: Obama knows Powell has to carry water for his boys, and won't hold it against him.

[CoffeeCat]

7. This would mean that Colin Powell...

...has absolutely no integrity at all, and that he would like to see Bush's lie-based scam
widened out into a wider mess.

That's what Powell would be advocating.

If Powell has no remorse for his own actions, and if he thinks the Iraq war was a good idea that
needs to be expanded upon---he'll endorse McCain.

Is there any indication that Powell feels this way?

I thought he was very conflicted and had many regrets regarding how he helped W sell the Iraq war.
He's made statements that indicate he's haunted by his participation in the Iraq War sell.

Hasn't Powell spoken out against the Iraq a bit?

[asjr]

8. Powell should just keep his mouth shut. He lost

ALL credibility a long time ago. I don't believe for one minute he was snookered by BushCO. If he was then he is not intelligent at all. If he ever came right out and said he was sorry for his actions there might be some leeway for him. I don't think he would be doing any favors for Obama if he endorsed him.

[scheming daemons]

9. He lost all credibility among DEMOCRATS.... but not among independents.....

You need to step back from your own feelings and see the bigger picture.

[asjr]

15. I wish I could. It is the age old problem of

seeing one of your heroes' feet turn into clay.

[gkhouston]

17. Independents are as capable as Democrats of remembering that Powell used

his credibility to sell the Iraq war to the U.S. public at the UN -- and that he knew he was pushing damaged goods.

[scheming daemons]

30. In poll after poll, Powell scores very high among independents....

See the bigger picture.

[gkhouston]

33. The bigger picture is the economy. Powell will help that how?

He's faded from general notice since 2004, while the cost and unpopularity of the war have mounted. His influence, good or bad, on anyone, will probably be negligible. Endorsing two weeks before an election when the likely result is known makes Powell look like an opportunist, not someone who has any genuine enthusiasm for the candidate.

[scheming daemons]

35. It wins us 48 hours of news cycles, and blows McCain off the front pages

....and "Joe the Plumber" is a distant memory.

[spanone]

10. i think powell endorsement means NOTHING. he was totally ineffective in office

[bookman]

11. Either way....

Sort of an October surprise.

They hope it'll win the news cycle for McCain for the next week.

I think if he endorses McCain they will think it is a big deal that a black man endorses McCain, but it will just be a Bush guy endorses McCain – No big deal.

If he endorses Obama it may move some undecideds.

[Maven]

12. Yup, I agree

[rateyes]

13. Here is his entire giving record to campaigns. Notice "Macaca" Allen's

name is seen many times. From a search at www.fec.gov Powell is listed and then the receipient of the donation is listed for each contribution along with the amount given and date it was given.


Presented by the Federal Election Commission



Individual Contributions Arranged By Type, Giver, Then Recipient

Contributions to Political Committees

POWELL, COLIN
ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE/GENERAL

MCFARLAND, KATHLEEN TROIA
VIA K T MCFARLAND FOR CONGRESS
01/27/2006 1000.00 26950036837

POWELL, COLIN
MC LEAN, VA 22101
RETIRED/RETIRED

REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP COUNCIL FEDERAL PAC
01/27/2006 1000.00 26930414151
01/20/2007 1000.00 27990370105

POWELL, COLIN
MC LEAN, VA 22101
SELF-EMPLOYED

HELMKE, PAUL
VIA PAUL HELMKE FOR SENATE
07/18/1998 500.00 98020212954

POWELL, COLIN
MC LEAN, VA 22101
US GOVERNMENT

GIULIANI, RUDOLPH W
VIA FRIENDS OF GIULIANI EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE
02/01/2000 1000.00 20020120768

POWELL, COLIN
MCLEAN, VA 22101
AMERICA'S PROMISE

ALLEN, GEORGE
VIA FRIENDS OF GEORGE ALLEN
09/26/2000 1000.00 20020302749

POWELL, COLIN
MCLEAN, VA 22101
AMERICAS PROMISE/CHAIRMAN

ALLEN, GEORGE
VIA FRIENDS OF GEORGE ALLEN
10/13/2006 1000.00 26020940210

POWELL, COLIN
MCLEAN, VA 22101
AUTHOR

REPUBLICAN PARTY OF VIRGINIA INC
02/19/1997 250.00 97032280796

POWELL, COLIN
MCLEAN, VA 22101
RETIRED

AMERICAN SUCCESS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
11/06/1998 1000.00 98033994087

ROGAN, JAMES E
VIA ROGAN FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE
09/19/2000 1000.00 20036244295

SPECTER, ARLEN
VIA CITIZENS FOR ARLEN SPECTER
06/19/1997 500.00 97020081462

POWELL, COLIN
MCLEAN, VA 22101
SELF EMPLOYED/CONSULTANT

WILSON, HEATHER A
VIA HEATHER WILSON FOR SENATE
04/12/2006 500.00 26940174834

POWELL, COLIN GEN
MCLEAN, VA 22101
CONSULTANT

WILSON, HEATHER A
VIA HEATHER WILSON FOR SENATE
03/24/1998 1000.00 98032982693

POWELL, COLIN GEN
MCLEAN, VA 22101
RETIRED

DAVIS, THOMAS M III
VIA TOM DAVIS FOR CONGRESS
06/30/2000 1000.00 20035861956

POWELL, COLIN GEN
MCLEAN, VA 22101
SELF-EMPLOYED

THOMPSON, RITA S J
VIA RITA THOMPSON FOR CONGRESS
03/29/1998 500.00 98032984104

POWELL, COLIN GENERAL
ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314
SELF EMPLOYED

NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEE
02/20/1997 500.00 97020042576

POWELL, COLIN GENERAL
ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314
SELF-EMPLOYED

ALLEN, GEORGE
VIA FRIENDS OF GEORGE ALLEN
04/23/1999 1000.00 99020091018

POWELL, COLIN GENERAL
MC LEAN, VA 22101
SELF EMPLOYED

NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEE
12/03/1997 1000.00 98020050703

POWELL, COLIN L
MC LEAN, VA 22101
SELF EMPLOYED/ATTORNEY

NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEE
08/17/2006 1500.00 26020682635

POWELL, COLIN L GEN
MC LEAN, VA 22101
RETIRED

GLENN, DYLAN C
VIA FRIENDS OF DYLAN GLENN
06/18/2000 1000.00 20035714015

POWELL, COLIN L GEN
MCLEAN, VA 22101
INVESTOR

BUSH, GEORGE W
VIA BUSH FOR PRESIDENT INC.
03/22/1999 1000.00 99034441604

POWELL, COLIN L GEN
MCLEAN, VA 22101
LECTURER

LAZIO, RICK A
VIA LAZIO 2000 INC
09/11/2000 1000.00 21020063050

POWELL, COLIN L GEN
MCLEAN, VA 22101
PUBLIC SPEAKER

MCCAIN, JOHN S.
VIA MCCAIN 2000 INC
02/26/1999 1000.00 99034431332

POWELL, COLIN L GEN
MCLEAN, VA 22101
RETIRED

WATTS, JULIUS CEASER JR (JC)
VIA WATTS FOR CONGRESS
07/10/1998 500.00 98033443796

POWELL, COLIN L GEN RET
MCLEAN, VA 22101
LECTURER

MCCAIN, JOHN S
VIA MCCAIN FOR SENATE '98
04/02/1998 1000.00 98020152405

POWELL, COLIN L GENERAL
ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314
RETIRED

GLENN, DYLAN C
VIA FRIENDS OF DYLAN GLENN
10/06/1997 1000.00 98032690686

POWELL, COLIN L GENERAL
MC LEAN, VA 22101
AMERICA'S PROMISE

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
12/15/1998 415.00 99034231061
10/07/1999 415.00 99034924690
06/07/2000 415.00 20035762752
06/23/2000 5000.00 20035762752

POWELL, COLIN L GENERAL
MC LEAN, VA 22101
CONSULTANT

MATTINGLY, MACK F
VIA MATTINGLY FOR SENATE INC
09/09/2000 500.00 20020330041

POWELL, COLIN L GENERAL
MCLEAN, VA 22101
AMERICA'S PROMISE

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
06/29/1998 250.00 98033360708

POWELL, COLIN L GENERAL
MCLEAN, VA 22101
RETIRED GENERAL

FRANKS, GARY A
VIA GARY FRANKS FOR SENATE '98 INC
04/14/1997 500.00 97020102644

POWELL, COLIN L GENERAL
MCLEAN, VA 22101
SELF-EMPLOYED

NATIONAL REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL COMMITTEE
06/08/1998 250.00 98020143966

POWELL, COLIN L.
MCLEAN, VA 22101

CARROLL, JENNIFER SANDRA
VIA FRIENDS OF JENNIFER CARROLL
08/29/2000 1000.00 20990223264

POWELL, COLIN L. THE HON.
MCLEAN, VA 22101
SELF-EMPLOYED/SPEAKER

MCCAIN, JOHN S.
VIA JOHN MCCAIN 2008 INC.
08/08/2007 2300.00 27931391281

Total Contributions: 33795.00

[iceman66]

23. What this suggests

is that Powell is by no means a moderate. He probably never even considered endorsing Obama, but wants to make it look that way to suck in some independent voters.

[rateyes]

25. He gave money to that crook Heather Wilson.

Add that to the fact that he lied us into war for Dubya, and I have no damned use for the man.

[iceman66]

26. Yes.

Heather Wilson is one of the worst of the worst. There is no way someone even remotely moderate or independent-minded would support someone like that.

[JBTO26]

14. Why should we care about Powell's endorsement anyway ??

Why all the threads and the excitement about it?

[Phx_Dem]

45. Because he's still well respected among conservatives

and it could help Obama with the wingnut crowd and we want every single vote we can get. The more votes the bigger the margin and the bigger the mandate. I don't give a shit who endorses Obama as long as it helps him, and Powell could help.

[Johonny]

16. At this stage if that's true

He'll be smart to keep it to himself. Why attach yourself to a sinking ship

[blm]

19. You have a strong chance of being right - Rove pulled this a few times in 2004, floating the

rumor that Powell would endorse Kerry and then when the media grabbed it and the news came out that he was with Bush, Bush got MORE coverage of the news.

Rove floated the rumor that Schwarzkopf was endorsing Kerry....then when as many news cameras as possible showed up for Schwarzkopf, he endorsed Bush. They even did the same with rumors of Tommy Franks, who then endorsed Bush and then went on TV claiming Kerry was lying in his attacks on Bush's actions during ToraBora. We all know now Kerry told the truth but corpmedia sided with Franks and Bush.

[democrattotheend]

21. I've been thinking that too

Hopefully I'm wrong. It's unlikely but possible...it would be a shocker that would probably give McCain a little momentum because it catches the media off guard and thus gives them something to talk about...of course, given the fact that Powell is a Republican, the story then should be what too so long?

[iceman66]

22. Exactly.

If Powell endorses McCain, the appropriate reaction should be 'what took so long', but the MSM will try and spin this into a game-changer.

[TornadoTN]

36. It will be "Just last week, the Democrats were sure he was going to endorse Obama!!"

"What happened to set off this historic miscalculation?! This is a major, major endorsement for McCain! He's Johnny Comeback!"

I can see it going either way at this point, but it's interesting to note the history behind these "major" endorsements in the last few cycles.

[HughMoran]

24. I agree

I think this is another distraction and a ploy to sour the mood of Democrats!

Don't fall for this crap!!

[Infinite Hope]

27. I've wondered about that. I think he'll do no endorsement though. n/t

[Proud Liberal Dem]

28. I don't care WHO he endorses really

After he sold his soul to pimp for Bush's Iraq invasion I lost all respect for the man so I'm not sure how much his endorsement of Obama would be worth for him (OR McCain). I was really under the delusion that he, perhaps more than anybody, could and would talk Bush II out of invading Iraq and toppling Saddam Hussein back in 2003 and it certainly appears that he wrestled with the (mis-)administration over it and was very reluctant to support it but, in the end, apparently he gave in, lied to the American public (and the world) ultimately helping win the crucial support for the Iraq invasion.

Also, since he apparently contributed quite heavily to his campaign as recently as last year so unless things have changed he may not even be endorsing Obama at all (although IMHO it would be a lot more newsworthy if he did hence the anticipation and secrecy). I'm not quite sure he supports McCain's non-strategy, non-exit plan in regards to Iraq.

As for how it might affect the race if he endorses McCain, well............:shrug:

[iceman66]

29. If he does endorse Obama

it can only help us, even if it is only perceived as more evidence of rats fleeing a sinking ship.

If he endorses McCain, it should come as no surprise to anyone. I suspect that he will try and spin it in such a way as to appeal to the independent voter - e.g., only after 'careful deliberation' he came to this 'most difficult decision' because of what's 'best for the country' and that he was seriously considering Obama - except we know that to be bullshit from his prior donations.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

46. O.k. I guess an endorsement from a prominent Republican like Powell

would be politically helpful as another feather in Obama's "cap". I still think that he should've held his ground with the Bush (mis-)administration and maybe even resigned rather than using his credibility to argue for something as asinine as the Iraq invasion/occupation, particularly since only a year or two before that he and Condi both argued that our containment policy was working out just fine. I guess endorsing Obama would at least be more helpful than him endorsing McCain and, frankly, I don't think that he could bring himself to support McCain's position on Iraq, particularly since he has become a critic of the Iraq invasion/occupation after he left office. I wonder why he gave so much money to McCain given HIS position on staying in Iraq indefinitely (or maybe there were other reasons)?

[npincus]

31. then why is the RW media dissing Powell?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7492773&mesg_id=7492773

[Gin]

32. after his appearance at the UN with the "vials" ....he has no credibility

with me...Yawn!

[npincus]

47. well, you've made up your mind.

The low-info voters he may influence have not.

[ladjf]

38. Why wouldn't he endorse McCain? He has been nothing other than a disingenuous

liar since he hooked up with the Bush administration. If, by chance, he endorses Obama, it would help anyway. That would be good.

[yardwork]

39. I will bet anything you please that Powell will NOT endorse McCain.

I don't know if Powell will endorse Obama or not, but if he endorses anyone, it will be Obama. No way is Colin Powell walking on to MTP this weekend and endorsing McFail. No way.

[WeDidIt]

42. Yeah, just like there was no way he'd walk into the UN and lie his ass off

:eyes:

[elkston]

40. I just can't see Powell, in his right mind, endorsing McCain's ticket

Maybe he's got loyalty to the guy. Well you know what, he donated and if really wanted to "fair" to McCain, he'd just refuse to endorse anyone.

But how can he seriously get behind McCain after he has seen what a poor manager and decision maker the guy is? How could he even fathom the Palin pick?

How can he reconcile membership in the Republican party now that it has turned into the political version of "white flight"?

Coin Powell would disappoint me if he endorsed John McCain.

[budkin]

41. You are so right on this...

[noonwitch]

43. That's what I expect, but I like to be surprised.

It would carry some weight with independents.

[Phx_Dem]

44. I will be SHOCKED if he does.

If he was supporting McCain, I think he would just keep quiet. NO ONE is endorsing McCain right now. NO. ONE. In fact, few if any of this colleagues are even campaigning for him. Where's Charlie Crist, Lindsay Graham and the rest of the winguts?

Powell has enough credibility problems as it is and endorsing McCain and, by association, PALIN!, is beyond absurd. I don't think anyone is stupid enough to endorse a candidate, 2 weeks before an election, that nearly everyone thinks is going to lose and potentially by a landslide.

Powell is not a stupid person.

[undeterred]

50. kicking so you can eat your words

:rofl:

[camera obscura]

52. That's just cold...

...but damn if I didn't laugh :rofl:

[undeterred]

55. Hey, its a good thing to be wrong about.

Powell is highly respected by Republicans and this could change the minds of a lot of people.

[iceman66]

58. I am HAPPY to be wrong about this

Seriously, I could not be more pleased. Powell pretty well eviscerated McCain!

[shaniqua6392]

53. Good point.

LMAO!!!!!

[Homer Wells]

51. OOPS!!

Prophesize much???

:evilgrin:

[TexasObserver]

54. oops

[Zynx]

56. Well, that's a dick in your mashed potatoes.

[Doityourself]

57. lmaoooooo haha

[iceman66]

60. I don't know about you

but I'm more concerned about Obama winning than being right about everything.

This is good for Obama, so I'm glad to be wrong.

[Zodiak]

59. We.... at least you came back and admitted error

I respect that.

Anyone can be wrong, but only an honest person is willing to own it and face the music.