October 19, 2008

Does Colin Powell's backing make any difference?

Colin Powell, former secretary of state for President George W. Bush and a former chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, endorsed Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama today.
Powell, a Republican, is easily the most prominent member of his party to throw his support to Obama.
Does it matter to anybody?
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

40 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is very significant, and will make a clear difference!

Add this endorsement to the 70+ newspapers around the country and you can see OBAMA is continuing to gain momentum.

The positives are far outweighing the negative attacks by the repugnant republicants! OBAMA will occupy the White in 2009, and he will restore the American dream while changing the country for the better!

Anonymous said...

I'm a Republican and, yes, it does matter to me. I've been on the fence and now I'm leaning towards Obama.
Bush has been a disaster for my party, my country and the world.
We need a change.

Tired Taxpayer said...

I am also a republican and I am also on the fence just hope that we do not make the same mistakes we did back in the 30s and raise taxes and become protectionist which then threw us in to a depression. That is my only fear of both of these candidates. History has a way of repeating itself if we do not learn from it.

Anonymous said...

The Bush administration shredded Colin Powell's strategy of war which was the use of overwhelming force against an advisary. The administration also rejected Powell's warnings to plan for the aftermath of the initial military victory.

The fact that Powell does not support McCain, a Vietnam veteran who has suprisingly recinded his own longstanding views against torture in order to gain support from the neoconservatives from his republican party, speaks volumes.

Powell categorically rejects the use of torture as a method to gain information, and wants to protect captured American soldiers, and wants to follow the Geneva conventions.

I'm sure many other factors contributed to Powell's decision.
He is a very reasoned and thoughtful man.

We all should take heed of Powell's assessment and final choice.

He probably doesn't want his country run by another bone-headed idiot.

Anonymous said...

I am a Democrat for McCain and it makes no difference to me.

Anonymous said...

I don't believe "October 19, 2008 10:51 AM" is a Republican. If he/she were really a Republican he/she would have no problem with Bush's tax cutting policies. Obama is sure to raise taxes.

This election isn't about Bush it's about McCain and his policies. Only Democrats make Bush the adversary. Only a ignoramus or a hack would say "Bush has been a disaster for...the world". That's ridiculous. Bush's tax policies are a good idea. We have had a very low unemployment rate for the last eight years. When Bush was entering office the country was going into a recession because of Clinton's neglect (he was busy not being impeached for lying under oath).

But this endorsement is probably somewhat significant because Powell is respected. However anyone can see that the only reason Powell is endorsing Obama is because Obama is black. Otherwise we would hear nothing from Powell.

It's far more significant that Senator and former Democrat VP candidate Joe Lieberman is endorsing McCain.

Anonymous said...

I'm a democrat who has recently decided to vote for McCain. Colin Powell's backing of Obama is neither surprising nor influential. Obama's lack of experience and total lack of accomplishment was the deal breaker. Obama's promises and speeches are wonderful, but his involvement with Acorn, Ayers, Rev Wright, etc. leave far too many unanswered questions. His wife's racist rantings on her college thesis also swayed my decision, so for the very first time in my life I'll be voting republican this November, no matter who Colin Powell backs.

Anonymous said...

Only a biased lackey like 12:03 would think like that. Of course Powells endorsemnent makes a difference.

Anonymous said...

12:51 isn't a Democrat . We can tell by the tone he speaks in.

Anonymous said...

It's not all that surprising, but it may make a difference with a few undecided voters. As a Republican, I would have hoped that Powell didn't make the endorsement, but it makes sense from his end.

Powell is quite moderate (pro-choice, limited pro-gun control) in his beliefs. After his exit from the Bush White House, it was unlikely that he was going to take a position with another Republican administration. Obama has a big lead in the polls, so endorsing him right now is a low risk move.

Again, as a Republican, I don't want to see Obama get any more boosts to his campaign. But, I'm not sure this will make that big of an impact, since the move has been expected for quite some time.

Odin said...

"It's far more significant that Senator and former Democrat VP candidate Joe Lieberman is endorsing McCain." October 19, 2008 12:08 PM

You gotta be a Republican. Lieberman has become a pimp for the GOP and consequently has zero credibility with Democrats. I'd be more impressed by an endorsement from the Menominee Falls Gazette than from Joe Lieberman.

Anonymous said...

Re: Odlin comments

Lest you forget, the Democrats deserted Joe well before he endorsed McCain.

Anonymous said...

"12:51 isn't a Democrat . We can tell by the tone he speaks in."

We? Maybe you should stop listening to the little voices... You're wrong on all counts. I'm not a he and I am definitely a Democrat...and I'm voting for McCain.

Anonymous said...

Voting for Obama is a very very dangerous move for us folks here in CT. With Obama ready to raise taxes on business. It will surely lead to massive lays off in CT or business moving right out. McCain will have my vote, because I know if Obama gets in, my business will surely lay off if not move out of CT. If you don't believe me ask the owner of your company or your manager what will happen if Obama is elected. Don't listen to your union person. They will ever tell you the truth.

Anonymous said...

Nice try but you're not a Democrat!!

Anonymous said...

Oh stop with the whining about business. You are just another (or maybe) the same phony !!!

Anonymous said...

I have always liked Colin Powell, but I decide who to vote for by examining what the candidates stand for. The economy, taxes, and Iraq are big issues, and I like McCain's stance better on all of them. So, no, Powell's endorsement of Obama doesn't mean much to me.

Anonymous said...

I think Powell's split from Bush has left him with a sour grapes attitude. I don't think that his endorsement really has anything to do with Obama. I think he would endorse anyone, no matter how inexperienced and untrustworthy, as long as he or she is not a Republican. Too bad many people won't see through it. McCain is still my candidate.

Anonymous said...

If Powell were white it would make a differance. Everyubody new for a while that he would endorse Obama.

I agree that the Lieberman endorsement means alot more.

Notice the Dems didn't say anything bad about Joe when he was a the Dem Veep candidate and helped them gain thier super majoritites in the State House and Senate.
No, Joe was ahero.

Thank God Lamont didn't get elected. One less liberal in Washington with the elk of Chris Dud and Barney Frank.

Anonymous said...

Connecticut Democrats "deserted" Lieberman because his views on the major issue of our time (the war in Iraq) was out of step with the Democratic mainstream. His decision to run as an independent, instead of honoring the decision of the party he pretended allegiance to, sealed the deal.

Anonymous said...

Powell is stickin' up fo his brotha!

Anonymous said...

OBAMA=SOCIALISM
HE WON'T EVEN TELL YOU WHO HIS FRIENDS ARE

Anonymous said...

At least we know who Powell is , not like you chicken hearted blood suckers.

Anonymous said...

What's the matter 12:51 Can't take it ?You're just another loser like McCain. I'm not black and I'm voting for Obama.And why are you calling him black when in fact he is half and half ?

Anonymous said...

9:14 = sniper that means nothing.

Anonymous said...

"12:51 isn't a Democrat"

Why? Because 12:51 sees Obama for what he is? Are all dems supposed to be blind and well as dumb?

Anonymous said...

Re: 1:10 AM blog

Most of the Democrat "Mainstream" voted their full support for the war in the Senate and House. Joe, to his credit, maintained his allegiance, whether I agree with him or not.

Apparently, the voters of Connecticut, many of them Republicans, Democrats and Independents looked at more than one issue and voted for a candidate that offered a better choice. Ned Lamont was all about one issue - the war. He placed all of his eggs in that basket, thus the reason he is not the United States Senator from Connecticut, today.

If people vote for a person because of only one issue, then they know nothing about the candidate and should have stayed home on Election Day.

Anonymous said...

Nope because he sounds just like you 3:44. And my guess you and he are the same jerk Alex!

Steve Collins said...

Hey everyone,
You can't just paste in news stories and opinion pieces from other sources. That's copyright infringement in addition to being unnecessary. Just post a link if you want people to see something.

Anonymous said...

I been reading alot of comments on these websites and blogs you got some really vocal pc users on here. Now about this election, we (as in some black folks) havent had a choice of of electing a "biracial candidate". so to me I have that choice and that choice is really a 2 for 1 he is half white and half black and i will take that while i can. i tried to listen to president bush and mccain but it just dont sit right with me. I heard all the issues and i'm voting on what MATTER to me. the rich should drop some of thier money they wont be broke and i understand they worked hard for it but really, what are they doing with the money??? they should give it to those in need in other countries, people that have less. and i'm tired of these pc users refering to liberal or conservative or what ever they clam to be. we should go by what we are and that is human beings. DO NOT LET THE PARTY NAME FOOL YOU.

Anyway i am truly greatful that Mrs Hillary Clinton prepared Mr. Barack Obama for this BULL CRAP that is taking place now

Anonymous said...

Socialism!

Socialism!

Socialism!

Vote Obama 2008!

Anonymous said...

October 20, 2008 4:16 PM:

Stop throwing people's names out there when you don't even know who or what you're talking about.

Otherwise ID yourself and I'm sure the person you're referring to would be glad to converse with you personally.

Anonymous said...

Angel from Chicago:

What is the story on Senator Obama's trip to Kenya at the expense of Chicagoland taxpayers? I hear that he is not a popular guy there because of it.

Anonymous said...

I am a registered Democrat and the fact that Colin Powell, or as I called him in my previous life Col. Powell (I served under him before he got his stars and had and still have a great deal of respect for him), has endorsed Obama will not change my vote from McCain.

There is too much we do not know about Obama, too much that he seems to hide. What has he done besides run for office? What concrete accomplishments bear his name?

Obama reminds me of a car salesman or mortgage broker, slick, slimy, and will to say anything to close the deal.

Anonymous said...

Sad to say but most minorities are voting for Obama because he is black, and that is the truth. Here is a man who wants to be president of the U.S. and doesn't salute the flag. This country is going to H***!

Anonymous said...

October 21, 2008 12:54 PM:

You're 100% correct.

Lynn Swan (former NFL-HOF wide receiver) ran for governor of PA two years ago. Where were all the people, pundits and media hacks and why weren't they calling his candidacy great because of his race? How about Gary Franks in Connecticut? The unions smeared him on some made up garbage. Way to treat a black man you liberal neo-socialist hypocrites!
I hope you all rot in hell.

Anonymous said...

3:23 Can't do anything but name call? Guess you don't have the intelligance to do otherwise. Oh well Ho Hum. (Sticks and stones ) You Nazi ! See ? Anybody can name call.

Anonymous said...

Like I said before and I guess it's considered racist but it wasn't meant to be. Just a simple question that Obama asked himself. Why do people choose to call him black? He's half white. Some people on here want it to be racist.

Anonymous said...

Hope your having fun calling people names but it really is getting old. Try looking in the mirror if you want to see a real ignoramous!

Anonymous said...

"Spread the wealth" is socialism.