Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama

[Naked Gents Rut]

Do I really need to explain how the U.S. federal government works to you? Sigh...

Presidents can't increase spending or cut taxes, but they can veto attempts by Congress to do both. McCain would obviously veto Democratic spending and tax bills that Obama would have no problem with.

[GePap]

Originally posted by Naked Gents Rut
Do I really need to explain how the U.S. federal government works to you? Sigh...

Presidents can't increase spending or cut taxes, but they can veto attempts by Congress to do both. McCain would obviously veto Democratic spending and tax bills that Obama would have no problem with.

Anyways, the fiction of "divided government" remains just that. There isn't any political will amongst the population to gut the social programs that cost the most (social security, medicare, medicaid), and we have already underspent massively over the last two decades on basic infrastructure. McCain's "fiscal responsibility" basically ends at earmarks, and if he started vetoing bills solely on that, as he claims, it would not be long before Congress built a safe veto-proof majority to overcome him, as McCain is part of a small minority (for good reasons) with his position.

So if the only supposed benefit of "split government" is "fiscal responsibility", then this remains a piss poor argument because:

1. The voters, for all their claims of wanting fiscal responsibility, are themselves fiscally irresponsible and they want all those government programs and subsidies without paying for them.

2. McCain's budget proposals increase the budget deficit and national debt even more than Obama's, because while Obama promises more spending, McCain's proposed tax cuts vastly outsize his claimed savings.

This is of course even if we decide that fiscal responsibility is what is called for now. The only way for the government to become fiscally responsible now is a combination of massive benefit cuts and massive tax increases, both of which will tank consumer spending amongst the middle classes and poor.

[Naked Gents Rut]

Go look at the data, GePap; government spending increases at a slower rate when the power in Washington is split, for obvious reasons. I could explain those reasons, but I'm not going to keep humoring you if you're going to be willfully obtuse.

[GePap]

Originally posted by Naked Gents Rut
Go look at the data, GePap; government spending increases at a slower rate when the power in Washington is split, for obvious reasons. I could explain those reasons, but I'm not going to keep humoring you if you're going to be willfully obtuse.

And yet spending keeps increasing regardless, meaning that we will only get "fiscal responsibility" with an increase in revenue.

Currently we need bold action more than infighting bringing about "prudence" in a round-about way.

[conmcb25]

Getting back on topic, I see this as bigwin for Obama. He was more or less already elected but a Powell endorsement definately puts the icing on the cake.

And you guys b1tch all you want about Powell. He is a good soldier and was the only voice of moderation in that cabinet going up to the Iraq War. Im sure he pleaded his case and wasn't listened to. But when the boss makes the decision, he saluted and did what he had to do. Notice he waited till the second term to leave. Powell made a commitment to Bush and stuck it out. A good soldier.

If Powell were running as a Democrat right now he would get my vote.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui

There are just over two weeks left in which McCain has a chance to steal the narrative.

And how exactly was he going to do so? 538 has Obama with a 93.1% chance of victory... what, Powell's endorsement makes it 93.2%?

The past few days have seen the polls tighten a little and McCain had a week worth of relatively positive news and was winning the media narrative, especially because of the ACORN non-scandal that was dominating a lot of the news.

The Powell endorsement was great timing in that respect, as it completely overshadowed the other issues and puts McCain back on the defensive. I've no doubt that this endorsement was held back by the Obama campaign to be rolled out at a time where they needed to change the media narrative, and it's done the trick beautifully. And I don't think it will be the last of the high-profile Republicans to come out and endorse Obama in the final weeks. Remember how the campaign brilliantly rolled out the superdelegate endorsements at the end of the primaries. I see this being managed the same way.

I wouldn't be surprised if Chuck Hagel is next.

[Arrian]

Powell made a commitment to Bush and stuck it out. A good soldier.

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

[Zkribbler]

Powell's endorsement also kills any remaining remnance of the Obama's-not-experienced-enough argument.

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by MrFun
I am one of those voters who decided to vote for Obama early on - back when Hilary and the other candidates were still in for contesting the Democratic nomination.

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

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Was this news? He was supposed to be supporting him for months... maybe he decided to do it two weeks prior to try to get in for a cabinet position? Maybe he thinks Barack will tag him for SecState again?

I think it definitely helps, because for some reason there are still undecided voters. You need to remember, Obama doesn't need to create a solid majority. He needs to create enough of a majority that he will win despite GOP vote suppression efforts (which is multiple factors beyond vote fraud that favors Democrats).

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Zkribbler
Powell's endorsement also kills any remaining remnance of the Obama's-not-experienced-enough argument.

How exactly does an endorsement (any endorsement) do that?

I mean if Joe Libermann said Gov. Palin is experienced to be VP, would you say that kills that argument?

[chequita guevara]

Powell has a lot more respect than Lieberman has.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Still doesn't answer the question.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui




How exactly does an endorsement (any endorsement) do that?

I mean if Joe Libermann said Gov. Palin is experienced to be VP, would you say that kills that argument?

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.

Everyone knows that Palin is such a lightweight can't even carry on a press conference. If Liebermann says something to the contrary, people will not belief him.

[GePap]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui




How exactly does an endorsement (any endorsement) do that?

I mean if Joe Libermann said Gov. Palin is experienced to be VP, would you say that kills that argument?

Up until now Powell has kept the image of being removed from Politics in the last few years, while Lieberman has been a committed McCain partisan for a year now. It i much easier to claim that Lieberman would call Palin "experienced" merely because he is a strong McCain backer, and therefore willing to bend truths for his man.

Its harder to claim that Powell has been a committed partisan to anyone.