A little bird told me that Gen. Colin Powell will introduce Obama tonight

[book_worm]

Of course that same little bird told me to invest in NEW COKE. Let's see if he's right tonight.

My little bird says he doesn't think it's good or bad--isnt' sure, but that Powell has been rumored to be on the verge of endorsing Obama and that to have such a well known former GOP Sec of State do it for maximum advantage would be at the convention.

[Beaverhausen]

1. that would NOT be OK with me

sorry, Powell is a criminal.

[dflprincess]

4. Exactly

If Obama is serious about change, he will not invite any of the criminals from Bushco to participate in his campaign.

[TheDebbieDee]

15. I don't want a War Criminal introducing my candidate, either!

[madura]

25. me neither. Powell is stench. I hope this is NOT true!

[Zenmaster]

31. So, you wouldn't vote for Obama if Powell announces him?

I realize that's not what you said, and I'm sure you WILL still vote for him, which is exactly my point.

Obama doesn't need special guest introducers to get our support. The majority of the people that are not supporting Obama right now will not be put off by Powell's endorsement, so that's a good thing.

[dflprincess]

38. If Obama continues to pander to the Reich wing he does run the risk

of turning off a lot of voters - especially those idealistic sorts who got involved for the first time this year because they bought into his change message. Hacks like me will still vote for him because he's not McCain, but we will be doing so with our eyes open and very low expectations.

[Zenmaster]

39. A lot of those that got involved for the first time this year

are less idealistic than you are thinking. At least, less in the way of left leaning.

Obama's biggest groundswell of young voter support was from his change washington/change partisanship message. I don't think they will be put off by seeing him get support across the political spectrum.

[dflprincess]

42. War criminals are now just "part of the political spectrum"?

We've fallen farther than I thought.

[Beaverhausen]

46. No its not what I said. Unlike right wing sheeple I can and will criticize my leaders

when I disagree with them. I do not think Powell belongs anywhere but in prison. I will be extremely pissed off if he is on that stage tonight.

If he endorses him at some point in the future, I would be sort of OK with that, but not tonight. No fucking way.

[muryan]

60. I would be fine with it

I have nothing against Powell personally, he was mislead by the neocon cabal in the white house just like the rest of us.

[Unsane]

61. Powell is a criminal? Fuck you.

While his presentation to the UN has turned out to be a poor use of judgment, he was against the Iraq War from the start and he's spent his career serving his country. He isn't a god damn criminal.

[niyad]

65. BS--powell has been nothing but a reichwing hack from day one. one of his first acts in the militar

was the attempted coverup of My Lai. He KNEW, just as nearly everyone around the world did (except the sheeples) that the crap he was spewing at the UN was just that, CRAP. had he had one SHRED of integrity, he would have resigned rather than lie to the UN, and to us. learn the truth about this war criminal.

[Beaverhausen]

75. Criminal - from way back. Ever hear of My Lai?

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20010514/corn20010502

and for you to say his presentation at the UN was a "poor use of judgement" is probably the most ricidulous statement I've heard in weeks.

How was he "against the Iraq War" when he went before the UN and sold that BS?

Fuck YOU!

[Dr Fate]

79. He helped Bush lie us into a multi-billion dollar, endless war.

You can believe it was all a happy accident if you want.

Criminal? Well, people are held to be criminals for commiting a crime knowingly or for instances where they "should have known."

However, I dont mind if he introduces Obama- most Americans still respect him in the manner you do.

[Forkboy]

80. I hope your journals show more insight than this.

[Bensthename]

81. He has some what redeemed himself, but he still has blood on his hands..

[LisaM]

2. Gawd, I hope not

I want that guy a MILLION MILES AWAY from MY party.

[smoogatz]

3. Wow.

If true, that would be pretty amazing.

New Coke may have some collector value on eBay, if nothing else.

[thunder rising]

5. I'm with the others, Powell sold his soul to Bush and killed 4000 of his GI's.

[Thrill]

6. It depends on what Powell would say before he introduced him

[Franks Wild Years]

10. Indeed.

If Powell were to essentially say that he was duped by the Bush administration and that he denounces his role in it and believes McCain wants to carry on that kind of policy, I wouldn't be adverse to him making an appearance.

[LisaM]

17. Mmmmm. Was he duped by the Nixon adminstration

when he was an apologist for the My Lai massacre?

[madura]

29. he'd have to get on his fucking knees and beg forgiveness for that little vial of lies. fuck him

[mikelgb]

7. he'd have to lay it all out, apologize, offer to be a witness at ICC

would be earth shattering

so I doubt it

[LostinVA]

8. I'm not thrilled by that at all

[closeupready]

43. Exactly. Definitely nothing to brag about.

Powell cashed in his reputation when he gave that speech at the UN, so this would do absolutely NOTHING for me towards making Obama more appealing.

[jillan]

9. Take a step back from what we know about Powell, and think the message this will send to the world,

and more important - the country.

That this GWB insider is saying -NO MORE!
Powell can lend instant credibility to Obama.

Us, hard-core Dems, will just have to bit our lip if it means helping our team win.

I'm hoping this rumor is true.

[MadBadger]

11. Oh, this will play really well with everyone else except here

[HCE SuiGeneris]

22. Agreed.

[Renew Deal]

58. What's new?

:D

[blm]

18. Very true. Plus, BushInc lied to even Powell so he'd in turn lie to his Democratic friends

in the senate - especially to Joe Biden. Powell's chief of staff who spilled the beans on BushInc noted that WH lied to Powell, too, knowing they needed Powell to believe what he would relay to senate Dems like Biden. Biden and Powell were always VERY CLOSE FRIENDS and Powell's private assurances that Bush would respect weapon inspections was key to Dems supporting IWR.

[jillan]

23. Thank you for knowing the truth behind Biden's IWR vote.

Me thinks that Powell is feeling pretty good about Obama/Biden for several reasons.
And I think his endorsement is one worth having, even tho he is a controversial figure.

[blm]

33. IMO, accurate recounting of history is crucial. If WE don't even bother to consider accuracy in our

recounting of events, then what good are WE to the preservation of the historic record so many Dems claim to cherish?

[jillan]

40. People only want to hear what is comfortable to them.

I've been telling that story for over a year, but no one is listening.

eh! Like talking to a wall. And I know as a die-hard Kerry supporter you know exactly what I mean.

[Duke Newcombe]

73. Unfortunately, we here at DU also seem too comfortable in losing elections. n/t

[lumpy]

50. Powell was part of the lie. Obama doesn't need him to get

votes, so why should he disappoint his base by bringing in this man who has the taint of going along with a corrupt administration.

[blm]

53. think about the Dem who KNEW the lies and helped SELL that war to Dem lawmakers he held sway

and influence over for many years - who TRUSTED his view of intel that no other Dem in DC could access.

That Dem had more sway with most Dem lawmakers and used his cache to help Bush sell a lie.


Listen, I agree with you about Powell and I go back to criticizing his days in Vietnam when he served the powerful in THAT war, and also in protecting the coverup of the illegal wars in central America. But, I do understand the impact his endorsement would have on 95% of the American voting public who have no clue what role Powell has played in the matters that make ME DISGUSTED with him.

[MuseRider]

19. I see what it will say,

that Obama is not afraid to be endorsed and approved by a war criminal and a member of the administration that has caused us and the world very serious problems. Oooh he recants now? NOW? Ha, not good enough when he knew he was lying to the UN for GW to get his war on and this is just his recent history. I know what this will say to me and it is not good. Step back? LOL Enough of the country has already said NO MORE.

[jillan]

30. I totally understand what you're saying.

I feel the same way but I also would view it as a major statement against this administration....and that in turn would help Obama.

[MuseRider]

41. We need to be

Holding him accountable not letting him introduce Obama. It looks like approval like saying all he did is OK if he gets us votes. Somehow this keeps happening. Where is the liberal soul?

[SidneyCarton]

64. The "liberal soul" is doing what it always does.

Getting orgasmic over self-flagellation.

[Fire_brand]

21. most people here don't understand that

they're so involved in thier own little ideological boxes, they don't envision how the majority of Americans would view this.

ironically, this is the kind of political thinking that Obama wants to change

[leftynyc]

26. I agree

An insider breaking ranks in such a public way would be magnificent. Powell has always been incredibly popular with independents.

[Egnever]

56. The ponly thing that gives me pause

is that this insider is black. I think it opens the door to some pretty ugly racial bullshit. I am not sure its worth the risk.

[leftynyc]

59. That hadn't occured to me

Do you think that would override the historic nature of a former secretary of state publicly breaking with his administration to endorse the opposite party's nominee? And wouldn't those who would think ugly like that likely not vote for Senator Obama regardless?

[dflprincess]

35. I'm a bit confused as to how someone with no credibility

can bestow instant credibility.

[quakerboy]

36. That s a hard thing to do

I know that in practical terms, its a good move for winning.

But at the same time, I want him nowhere near us, least the miasma leak over.

[Egnever]

55. Hmm I am not sure

it could be spun many ways.

I am not sure it is worth the risk.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

12. Colin Powell's a useless jackasss. But if he wants to jump in the bandwagon.................... n/t

[Overseas]

13. No. Save Powell endorsement for during Republican Convention.

To steal their convention buzz.
Perhaps after their "National Security" night.

[OmahaBlueDog]

37. Ding! Ding! Ding!

We have a winner.

[bunkerbuster1]

14. Swell.

Let's stop being good little blogosphereians for a moment and consider what kind of a statement that would be for the dozens of millions of Americans who are going to hear Obama speak at length for the first time.

It will not-so-subtly remind them that they have trusted a black man to lead a mission before, nearly twenty years ago. And that they were probably prepared to cast a vote for a black man (or at least seriously consider it) had he decided to throw his hat in the ring.

I've no idea if this rumor is accurate but if it is, that's another coup for Obama. Good work.

[Phoonzang]

16. That would be good. Think beyond your personal

feelings and how it looks to the American voters (of all political persuasions). They don't think of him as a liar or a Bush flunkie. Same effect as McCain still being considered a maverick.

[Annces]

20. No way

Sounds like republican smear rumor.

[TwilightGardener]

24. I thought that was a Bill Kristol-started rumor that was debunked.

[BumRushDaShow]

27. Politics is a gut-wrenching ugly profession

and as much as people on this board claim that the campaign has held back on the punches, if this did actually pan out (which I doubt but anything is possible), it would be a political coup - all in the intent to capture independents and moderate repukes who still love this man for Desert Storm.

I never expected to ever see someone like Leach stand up there at our convention, endorsing a Democrat.

IMHO, Biden was a chess move and something like this would be as well.

Other than that, I thought I read that Gore would introduce Obama? But then again, Richardson was supposed to speak last night and it seems someone we know took that time to extend his own. :P

[Connie_Corleone]

28. Despite what we think, Colin Powell is still pretty popular among millions of people.

Remember, this event tonight is for all those people watching on TV.

[closeupready]

45. Yeah. Millions of THEM! Not US!

n/t

[Egnever]

54. Every one of them we get

is another not voting against our interests. I will take it.

[closeupready]

57. We essentially have the numbers - we don't need to make any more compromises.

n/t

[marlakay]

32. i heard a rumor al gore was nt

[OmahaBlueDog]

34. Probably a bad idea

Forget it's us for a minute and think of the TV audience. Powell is tarnished, but overall has a pretty good standing with most Americans. Now, back to remembering it's us. Powell walks in to Mile High and gets rousing boos from 66% of the crowd. Joe six pack, seeing this on TV says "what a bunch of crap this is -- a good American like Colin Powell getting booed by these jackasses."

It won't be good.

Here's what they should do instead. Have Al Gore come out and speak first to fire up the crowd. Then, get Powell to record a short intro/endorsement. Show that in a montage with clips from Bill's speech, Hillary's speech, and get some other noteworthys to record some endorsements. Show those on the plasma screen at the stadium. Then,when that's over, cut back to Gore -- "Ladies & Gentlemen, the next President of the United States, Barack Obama."

[lumpy]

48. Good points. Powell might, and should, get boo'd by the

Democrats attending the convention. Obama doesn't need Powell's input. So many Dems like myself consider Colin Powell to be as guilty as the rest of the Bush administration in lying us into the Iraq war.

[lumpy]

44. Obama doesn't need Colin Powell. Period. As someone here

pointed out, Powell is a controversial character. Any one who witnessed Powell's presentation at the UN should have known it was phony, from the vial to the cartoon pictures of the 'chemical labs'. It didn't fool too many Europeans and thinking Americans. Bottom line though, Obama doesn't need Powell to put him on top. It would show nothing but poor judgment on Obama's part.

[Fire_brand]

47. Powell recently said he won't be at the convention

didn't rule out supporting obama

sorry for the fox news link

In a FOX News exclusive Wednesday, Kristol, a regular contributor, said inside sources suggested Powell would show up in Denver in the week of Aug. 25 specifically to back the presumptive presidential nominee.

“He may well give a speech at the Democratic convention explaining his endorsement of Obama,” Kristol said, citing the sources.

“This is not an absolute done deal, but these people are very confident that Powell will endorse Obama,” Kristol said, adding that he thinks Powell, a Republican, still has “a high respect” for John McCain, Obama’s Republican rival.

Powell said he hasn’t endorsed anyone yet and wouldn’t be attending the convention.

“I do not have time to waste on Bill Kristol’s musings,” Powell told ABC News. “I am not going to the convention. I have made this clear.”

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/08/14/kristol-colin-powell-to-endorse-barack-obama/

[Fire_brand]

49. Powell has said he won't be there

sorry for the fox news link

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/08/14/kristol-colin-powell-to-endorse-barack-obama/

[JoFerret]

51. Can't stand Powell,personally.But

this would be a real coup.(Electorally imo).

(Maybe represents a different kind of "coup" in other respects.)

[whistle]

52. There has to be a well recognized democrat who can honor the Democratic Party

...with a legitimate introduction of Barrack Obama that would serve to show party unity and also bring level headed republicans over to the side of restoring America.

There can be no good reason to bring over Bush republicans or neocons who really should be impeached.

[Rambis]

62. Thanks, but no thanks

:puke:

[Drunken Irishman]

63. I get people don't like this idea...

But if true, it will play well across the country.

All these people who say Powell needs to do this or that, well getting Barack Obama elected would be enough of a "I'm sorry" for me.

This move would go along way toward that.

[noonwitch]

66. I agree-middle america respects Powell

I wouldn't turn down the endorsement if I were Obama. A matter of fact, in some states, Powell would be a good person for Obama to campaign with.

[niyad]

67. powell is a war criminal. he shouldn't be there.

[Drunken Irishman]

71. YOU think so.

YOU don't like him.
YOU won't vote for him.

But this isn't about YOU. This isn't about Democratic supporters. This is about Obama reaching voters who have yet to embrace him.

Powell, whether YOU like it or not, is still very popular among many Americans, especially independents. Having his support would help Obama. Maybe not with YOU, but with a good number of Americans.

[OwnedByFerrets]

68. I dont think that Powell is a war criminal....

I just consider him stupid to get duped into carrying the water for war criminals.
I hate it when I am smarter than my 'so-called' leaders.

[JuniperLea]

69. We've already heard the word "healing" too many times...

If this is part of that meme, Obama will have some 'splaining to do.

[Virginia Dare]

70. That's okay with me if....

he denounces Bush and Cheney has criminal liars, repudiates them and apolgizes for supporting and enabling them on the stage before everyone.

[Johonny]

72. would be huge if true

I get liberals dislike him, but politically it's great news to have him in Obama's corner. Unlike say Joe Lieberman independents and moderate conservatives actually respect Powell. He appeals to conservatives that feel screwed (and who was more screwed than Powell) by the neoconservative movement. You don't have to like everyone that endorses you, but not all enemy endorsement are harmful if the big picture is ending neocon reign.

[David__77]

74. New Coke was great incidentally.

I liked it just fine. Powell, however, I don't like.

[Teaser]

77. fuck that noise

new coke blew. Coke must be greasing you to say that.

[Odin2005]

76. I hope so, that would be a magnificent "FU, Bush" on Powell's part!

And hopefully the start of a great general's redemption from Bush-Lackey-dom.

[wvbygod]

78. That bird is full of avian excretion

Maybe Wes Clark but Powell is not going to happen.