A Powell endorsement would be the story of the campaign

[Hokie]

I know Colin Powell is not held in high esteem at DU. I called him names like everyone else on DU for his shameful period as Secretary of State under Bush. However, please note that Powell still carries a high public approval rating and one could still argue he is one of the most respected people in the country. If Powell endorses Obama it does several things:

1. It will effectively kill the silly Ayers story and end any questions about Obama's patriotism.
2. It will prevent McCain from trying to use foreign policy as a counter to the economic crisis even if something unforeseen happens.
3. It will dominate the news for several days at a critical time for McCain. The clock is ticking for McCain. He really only has about a week to make a move or he is going to lose big.
4. It will put McCain on the defensive. The story will be about why some many republicans are abandoning McCain.

Folks, I want to win this and I want to win it large. I never want to go through another night like 2000 and 2004. I want to tell my Republican friends to "get over it" on November 5th if they claim Obama stole it through ACORN. I want to console them and tell them not to worry that Obama will be a great president. Most of all I want my children to enter their adult working life in a country guided by the best mind since Bobby Kennedy. If a Powell endorsement will make that happen then I welcome it and bless Powell for doing it. If he chooses not to do the right thing now then curse him forever.

[msongs]

1. colin powell sold the murder of 500K iraqis by selling his integrity to bush nt

[Hokie]

4. We can't bring them back

I am as sick as anyone about the Iraq war. However, we need the votes of a whole bunch of people who think the war was a great thing and was the best thing one TV in 10 years. That is a sad commentary on where we are but we are not going to change it by sitting on ideals and getting the crap kicked out of us every 4 years. If Powell can assuage some of his self guilt by endorsing Obama then I am all for it.

[kansasblue]

2. I now welcome an endorsement because...

Nobody is not going to vote for Obama because he got a Powell endorsement.

But lots of people will.

So let it happen. I'll be happy.

And.... and I'll let that be his first step... of many... things he can do to redeem himself in my eyes.

[WeDidIt]

3. I would welcome a Powell endorsement

but I simply do not believe he has the guts to go against the party that gave him everything he has.

[skooooo]

5. What if he goes for McCain?

[Greg K]

6. Yep - I don't think it's a given that he'll go for Obama.

[ACTION BASTARD]

7. Not likely...

Nobody wants to be associated with what could be the biggest loser for president...ever. It's why you now see the wave of Republicans coming out for 'Bama.

"L" word baby, "L" word.

[ballabosh]

9. Already done

Powell is already associated with the biggest loser president.

[tpi10d]

8. Because its unlikely for McCain to win this election-very unlikely.

Powell is 71 years old. He stuck his finger in the air and he knows which way the wind blows. Sarah Palin (n/t). He's had documented disputes with neocons and McCain will be infested with them (example Lieberman).
Under a McCain administraton, he'll be the poster boy for moderation and nothing else.

I think the OP's points are valid.

[ShadowLiberal]

10. If Powell's political contributions are any indication...

Powell donated the maximum contribution to McCain in the summer of 07' according to his Wikipedia page.

Still, the fact hat he would wait so long to endorse after those contributions may or may not be telling, and over a year is a long time, lots can change in a year.

I don't feel anywhere near as confident as I did before about Powell's endorsement though after reading wikipedia (if it's information is correct, since we know wikipedia isn't the most reliable site).