Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama

[Kidlicious]

There aren't actually many Joe the Plumbers. McCain is just making it seem as though there are.

[GePap]

Originally posted by Mrs Snuggles

Somehow, I doubt it. I mean, Mitt Romney's right--there are so many more Joes the Plumber, and it's better to have their votes than one Colin Powell.

If "Joes the Plumbers" are anything like Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, McCain always had their votes, and he is still loosing. It's Sam' friend Mary the Receptionist that McCain desperately needs to win, and Powell might appeal to her.

[Q Classic]

Don't be ridiculous. All Joes the Plumber stand for the American dream.

I think we should set up a tribunal to vet out thouse that have anti-American leanings in the areas of the country that aren't pro-America.

I bet we'll find out that Mary the Receptionist actually hates America and is only voting out of white guilt.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
I don't doubt that Obama is loving it, but, really, would have been much more useful during the convention rather than when Obama already has it won.

Total nonsense.

There is a law of diminishing returns. When you're already getting a bunch of positive coverage (convention) then Powell's marginal return is minimal. Powell's value here is to counter bad coverage (Ayers, socialism) which is probably McCain's last shot. They're getting maximal value out of him by blunting negative movement. There's 35 seconds left in the 4th quarter and Powell is the deep pass coverage allowing Obama to run out the clock.

[Imran Siddiqui]

When you're already getting a bunch of positive coverage (convention) then Powell's marginal return is minimal.

The positive coverage was stopped dead a day after the convention by the Palin announcement. Powell endorsing Obama that Sunday.. or the Sunday right after the convention would have been of great use.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

When you're already getting a bunch of positive coverage (convention) then Powell's marginal return is minimal.

The positive coverage was stopped dead a day after the convention by the Palin announcement. Powell endorsing Obama that Sunday.. or the Sunday right after the convention would have been of great use.

Right, because things went so badly for Obama after that and he's now down in the...oh wait.

[KrazyHorse]

This endorsement has been sitting in Obama's pocket for months. And I think he and his team have already demonstrated that they are the best political strategists we've seen in Presidential politics in 20 years. They know what they're doing...

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
Right, because things went so badly for Obama after that and he's now down in the...oh wait.

After the conventions, it was neck and neck for the first time in months. If it wasn't for the financial meltdown, it may still be there.

What's the threat now? That Obama may win the election before Powell gets to say "I was for him too!!"

This endorsement has been sitting in Obama's pocket for months. And I think he and his team have already demonstrated that they are the best political strategists we've seen in Presidential politics in 20 years. They know what they're doing...

Do you think they manipulated Powell to doing it on their time frame? I think Powell probably picked when he'd do it for himself.

[conmcb25]

Originally posted by Arrian


Which is why "good soldiers" aren't necessarily the best leaders. Powell knew better. He gritted his teeth and did the Administration's bidding against his better judgment. Something I think it's clear he now regrets.

-Arrian

Agreed but do you think Powell would do the same thing to his secretary of state?

I actually think loyalty and dedication to duty are good traits for a leader.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

When you're already getting a bunch of positive coverage (convention) then Powell's marginal return is minimal.

The positive coverage was stopped dead a day after the convention by the Palin announcement. Powell endorsing Obama that Sunday.. or the Sunday right after the convention would have been of great use.

Palin's value came and went (and is now basically negative). What would have been the point in trying to continue a rapid upward rise 2 months before the election?

You only need to win one day: Nov. 4

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Do you think they manipulated Powell to doing it on their time frame? I think Powell probably picked when he'd do it for himself.

Manipulated? I think Powell asked them what he could do for them and they told him.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Powell's value here is to counter bad coverage (Ayers, socialism) which is probably McCain's last shot.

You mean the "bad coverage" which is having the effect of lowering McCain's positives and raising Obama's for his dealing with the attacks?

I'd rather have McCain continuing to try to say those things. It seems to hurt him more.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Palin's value came and went (and is now basically negative). What would have been the point in trying to continue a rapid upward rise 2 months before the election?

You only need to win one day: Nov. 4

Because you want to prevent a large bounce from your opponent, which would likely be the best chance he'd have to get back into the race (and it turned out that it was).

Makes more sense that making an endorsement when the vast majority have already made up their mind.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
After the conventions, it was neck and neck for the first time in months. If it wasn't for the financial meltdown, it may still be there.

McCain's numbers were sliding even before the meltdown. There was every reason to believe that his convention bounce would fade. The financial crisis accelerated it, sure, but there was no reason for a smart and savvy political team like Obama's to waste ammunition at an unneccessary moment.

Remember they also had the debates to look forward to, which would have given Obama an opportunity to move the polls were he still tied at that point.

Do you think they manipulated Powell to doing it on their time frame? I think Powell probably picked when he'd do it for himself.

As I pointed out earlier, this is exactly what they did in the primaries with the superdelegate endorsements. It's not about "manipulation," it's about coordinating with the endorsers. Most endorsers are deferential to whom the campaign they're endorsing and are willing to abide by their timeframes. There's absolutely no reason that Powell wouldn't abide by the Obama campaign's request of when to give his endorsement, if he was really interested in helping Obama win.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Manipulated? I think Powell asked them what he could do for them and they told him.

"Wait to endorse me until the best political moment" seems to be a manipulation to me.