whose votes is Powell supposed to bring in?

[ensho]

what group is it that will vote for Obama now that Powell has backed him?

[riqster]

1. Right-of center folks who admire Powell

...and there are quite a few of such. Also, it'll make some of the knee-jerk Reeps think for a bit.

Frankly, I'd settle for just Powell's vote. Every little bit helps.

[nyccitizen]

4. Undecided independents. Powell validates Obama from a military standpoint too. nt

[ensho]

14. don't the troops know Powell lied them into war?

the troops still like him?

[Left Is Write]

24. Some of the troops still like Bush, so it's hard to guess what any individual thinks.

[endthewar]

38. Powell still has an 80+% favorability rating among the American people

People in DU need to realize that this website does not represent an accurate sampling of the American people, especially with regard to opinions on Colin Powell.

[uppityperson]

31. I have an acquaintace of that ilk who has been looking for one last thing to support Obama.

Will vote for him now. Every little bit helps. And Obama can listen to anyone, call anyone an adviser. It is up to Obama to listen to whom he wants and then make his own decisions. For him, advise does not equal controlling what he does.

[Bicoastal]

2. The military family vote.

There are quite a few of them in North Carolina and Florida. Also, more Moderate Republicans and Independents.

[Bread and Circus]

3. none. but that's not the value of the endorsement. the real value is creating

positive news coverage and helping sway the newscycle for a few days. every bit of positive press coverage helps in general.

from now till nov 4 the Obama team should continue to try to control the newscycle.

[Marrah_G]

5. Moderates- disillusioned republicans- military - ect -etc

[Overseas]

35. And don't underestimate the Republican Desertion Effect.

Lots of Republicans are crossing over this time. They know Bush-Cheney Republican policies have run our country into the ground.

So any prominent Republican that endorses Obama firms up their conviction that they're doing the right thing.

[DevonRex]

6. Those voters who worry about national security but think Obama is

better for the economy. Their fears might have made them go with McCain, despite the fact that he would be disastrous on economic issues. Powell's endorsement will help calm those fears.

[soccermomforobama]

7. I voted this morning in Texas and there was

a single white man (50's) and a married white couple (mid 50's) and while we were standing in line outside, we were making small talk and as we got closer to go inside to vote the single man made a comment about Colin Powell. The husband of the married couple said "I wish he was running" and his wife responded with "just remember what he said yesterday."

He obviously made an impact on those three people.

[The_Casual_Observer]

8. At this point powell's endorsement ought to be worth a steaming pile.

or a pinch of his anthrax.

[onenote]

11. do you still support our candidate?

After all, he said he was honored and humbled to have Powell's endorsement and has said that he foresees Powell having a role in an Obama administration.

[ensho]

18. that was a total disappointment for me

Obama still needs to be elected instead of McC - but what a disappointment

[The_Casual_Observer]

29. He's not making it any easier.

[Johonny]

9. a lot of older retired conservatives that hate Bush

they all respect Powell and they all are looking for excuses to vote Dem

[onenote]

10. moderate repubs, some independents

Voters who still were on the fence because of concerns about whether Obama had the experience to be commander in chief.

Among others.

[TornadoTN]

12. He brought my Dad into the fold yesterday

Dad has always been one of the "undecided independents" in just about every election. Even though my mom, brother, and everyone else in the family is breaking for Obama this cycle, he was the lone holdout. I told my mom months ago that the only person that could get dad to vote for Obama is Colin Powell.

Sure enough, around lunchtime yesterday, I get a call from dad asking if I had any Obama bumper stickers left. He came over, got one, and put it on his pickup . All because of his respect for Powell and to use his words, "he made sense".

[NJmaverick]

13. Independents, conservative Dems

those that were hesitant to vote for Obama because he is so new and different and untested.

[Zuiderelle]

15. Centrists. And middle-of-the-road conservatives and military.

[rucky]

16. I was canvassing yesterday, and met some still-undecided voters.

For all of them I spoke to that haven't committed yet, it's coming down to who they can trust. They won't judge from the messages given by me, or the campaigns, but are looking for reliable third-party sources they know and respect.

I gave them the news of the Powell endorsement, and could see the wheels turning. Didn't get any commitments on the spot, but I could tell that this would weigh into all of their decisions.

[renie408]

19. Exactly. It will add to the weight on Obama's side of the scale. n/t

[renie408]

17. I don't think his endorsement ALONE will move votes. But his endorsement

on top of all the other problems McCain has may move soft Republicans. People who fall just a little more right than left. I think that the reasons Powell gave for endorsing Obama will resonate with many people.

[scheming daemons]

20. My dad.

And it looks like it may work.

[loyalsister]

21. People who were wavering based on "experience"

n\t

[Left Is Write]

22. Unaffiliated moderates and dissatisfied moderate Republicans.

[onenote]

23. Does anyone think that if Powell had endorsed McCain it would've helped Obama?

Of course it wouldn't.

[CADEMOCRAT7]

25. Level-headed Republicans who were struggling with voting for a democrat.

He just made it ok to do so.

[greguganus]

26. Maybe it will bring in some of the war monger vote. n/t

[jonnyblitz]

27. who in hell votes for somebody based on endorsements?

that's the stupidist shit i ever heard.

[Lucky 13]

28. Fiscal conservatives and other non-zealot Republicans.

Remember when the Republican party consisted of Social Conservatives and Fiscal Conservatives? The Social Conservatives have hijacked the party and have "narrowed" it, forcing Fiscal and other somewhat reasonable conservatives out. Obama should be the logical choice for these people. Powell can help cement that.

[rug]

30. The A/V Club.

[iamthebandfanman]

32. Center Republicans/Independents

that and it doesnt hurt with military folks... who usually are in that groups i put in the subject

[marshall]

33. Obama's vote to put Powell in his cabinet

At this point in the race it's pretty irrelevant--the race is already decided. Powell's statement would have been useful during the primaries or even right after the conventions. The only thing it really does now is hold a spot for Powell himself in the next administration.

[yardwork]

34. Undecided moderate Democrats and Republicans, especially military.

Powell's endorsement is giving permission to hawks and Republicans to vote for Obama.

[progressivebydesign]

36. Powell is very respected by moderates. We need some of our own Obama republicans..

... just as Bill Clinton had Clinton Republicans, there were Reagan Democrats, and Bush Democrats. He appeals to the men.. and the security-minded voters. He's a great endorsement.

[MgtPA]

37. Pro-choice Republicans, Eisenhower Republicans, Conservative Democrats