Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
Powell is one of the most respected military men in the nation. If he says Obama is fit to be commander-in-chief, this will carry a lot of weight.

Why? What secrets does Powell know?

How about if David Petreaus said he talked with Palin and was convinced that she knew the issues? Would that matter to you at all?

[-Jrabbit]

It would cause me to lose a lot of respect for Petraeus.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

How about if David Petreaus said he talked with Palin and was convinced that she knew the issues? Would that matter to you at all?

(a) If would.
(b) Do active-duty generals endorse political candidates? It'd be awkward if the other guy won.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Comrade Snuggles


Oh yeah, well my Mom has been supporting Obama for President since 2004.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by -Jrabbit
It would cause me to lose a lot of respect for Petraeus.

So basically it would have no effect on how you view the candidate?

[Ramo]

The difference is that Powell is considered to be a relatively impartial figure. He's a Republican former Secretary of State who could've been the national nominee 12 years ago, was one of McCain's informal advisers early in the campaign, has a son in a prominent role in the McCain camp, has been careful about publicly rebuking Republicans or Republican policies, etc.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Yeah, still don't see how that kills the Obama isn't experienced enough thing.

I don't see how Petraeus is seen to be partial... maybe to the nuts at Moveon.org.

[-Jrabbit]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
So basically it would have no effect on how you view the candidate?

None. I've made my call on Palin. She is woefully ill-informed and not prepared to lead; to me it is self-evident. Beyond that, her stated positions on most issues stand in direct conflict with ideals I hold dear.

If McCain had actually reached across the aisle (Liberman) instead of gambling on an unknown, my choice for president might have been different. Instead, he went the Christian fundy/neocon route ("reaching across the aisle" indeed!). His patronizing "I'm so proud of her" support for Palin is an insult to women everywhere. Trying to utilize her star quality while simultaneously protecting her from ever having an open press conference, or even taking "while walking" questions at appearances, is the most cynical, condescending attempt to manipulate the electorate since the run-up to Iraq.

[Ramo]

Yeah, still don't see how that kills the Obama isn't experienced enough thing.

I don't agree with what Zkrib said. McCain already killed that argument with Palin.

I don't see how Petraeus is seen to be partial... maybe to the nuts at Moveon.org.

Are you nuts? What do you think McCain has based his campaign on? You honestly believe that Petraeus isn't a strong McCain partisan?

[Imran Siddiqui]

None. I've made my call on Palin.

Exactly!! Even if a respected general tried to make a case for her, you'd be more like "WTF Petreaus" than re-examining Palin's credentials. Why? Because you feel you have valid concerns and just because someone respected SAID they weren't true doesn't mean you are going to believe it.

My point is that the people who think this will have an effect are Obama supporters who already think he has the experience. I can understand WANTING the Powell endorsement to help there, but I don't see it happening. It seems to be incredibly overvaluing the powers of an endorsement in the general election (the only difference is during the primaries, if someone who bowed out tells his supporters to vote for the person he's endorsing, or for a party leader to give an endorsement to tell the rank and file who to go behind... in the general, it really doesn't matter).

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Ramo

Yeah, still don't see how that kills the Obama isn't experienced enough thing.

I don't agree with what Zkrib said. McCain already killed that argument with Palin.

That's why I refered to the "remnance" of the argument. It was mostly dead, but mostly dead means partially alive. The Repugs do refer to Palins vast executive experience -- i.e. leaving her little town $20 million in debt, $3,000 for each citizen. But now, a champion war stategist says Obama's qualified to be commander in chief. Game over.

[Ramo]

As I've said, I don't think endorsements are that important in general. But if any endorsement is going to make a difference, it's Powell's.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Ramo
As I've said, I don't think endorsements are that important in general. But if any endorsement is going to make a difference, it's Powell's.

That's fine (as long as you don't really think Powell's endorsement will truly make a difference), but it seemed as if some people thought that this guaranteed an Obama victory by itself (as if McCain was going to win if Powell stayed quiet anyway).

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
That's why I refered to the "remnance" of the argument. It was mostly dead, but mostly dead means partially alive. The Repugs do refer to Palins vast executive experience -- i.e. leaving her little town $20 million in debt, $3,000 for each citizen. But now, a champion war stategist says Obama's qualified to be commander in chief. Game over.

If some people STILL have doubts about Obama's experience, being told he's ok by Colin Powell isn't going to sway them.

[-Jrabbit]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

None. I've made my call on Palin.

Exactly!! Even if a respected general tried to make a case for her, you'd be more like "WTF Petreaus" than re-examining Palin's credentials. Why? Because you feel you have valid concerns and just because someone respected SAID they weren't true doesn't mean you are going to believe it.

My point is that the people who think this will have an effect are Obama supporters who already think he has the experience. I can understand WANTING the Powell endorsement to help there, but I don't see it happening. It seems to be incredibly overvaluing the powers of an endorsement in the general election (the only difference is during the primaries, if someone who bowed out tells his supporters to vote for the person he's endorsing, or for a party leader to give an endorsement to tell the rank and file who to go behind... in the general, it really doesn't matter).

I basically agree with you, Imran. But the Powell endorsement is still a sweet thing to have. It fills a little hole in the "military credibility" part of the Obama resume.