Colin Powell is advising Obama? Is that good or bad?

[Colobo]

Do you think Colin deserves another chance, or is he marked forever for helping Bush launch his war?

[Colobo]

1. Kick

:kick:

[Sanity Claws]

2. I think Powell feels so burned by this administration that

he will give the straight scoop to Obama. He'll also warn him against putting his reputation on the line for anyone or anything. Not a bad thing to learn or be reminded of early on.

[GeorgeGist]

52. If Obama isn't smart enough ...

to know Colin Powell was/is a fool then he deserves to be 'fooled again'.

[sallyseven]

3. I think he is a lier

he has defamed his office of Sec of State and as a soldier. I saw him on timmy's show and he just told one untruth after the other. What a loser. No guts.

[LiberalFighter]

22. Only Lieberman can be a lier otherwise it is liar

[roguevalley]

46. This could put me off Obama. Colin Powell is a coward and a

go-along-to-get-along-so-to-feather-his-nest-kind of guy hiding behind duty. I loathe him because he knew it was all bullshit but he went along and helped it happen. Fuck Colin Powell. Stay away from him, Mr. Obama. Please.

[freesqueeze]

4. Everyone...

should stay away from Powell. He showed his lack of character with that little vile of baking soda.



Obama, please stick with your own kind...honest people.

[Warren Stupidity]

5. Run away!

Next up: Rice confers with Obama. How about Alan Keyes?

Colin Powell is a Republican Operative. When will our purported Democratic Party leaders get a friggin clue? I know, lets bring Morris and Gergin back in as advisors too, that worked real well. And while we are on the subject of moles and operatives, KICK CARVILLE OUT. Ostracize that lizard.

[xchrom]

6. does any seriously viable democratic party candidate

-- one that is delivering a message really relvant to the people ever need a republican advising them?

not for my money --they don't.

[LWolf]

7. Colin Powell is irrevocably tainted by association. n/t

[incapsulated]

8. Why in god's name...

Should he take the advice of a habitual Bush family lapdog who lied to the UN to help get us into a war?

What possible advice could he give him that he can't get from a Democrat with the same amount of experience in world affairs, if that is what this is about? General Clark comes to mind. If he is looking for the political advice from a black man's perspective, I would remind him that Powell declined the opportunity to run for President, even though he well may have won, and was never elected for any office.

[Colobo]

9. I think Powell was used

I feel he is very ashamed of his role on the Iraq War.

[incapsulated]

14. He should be...

And it's a little late for regrets now. Of all people he knew better, but he put loyalty to the Chimp before his country and before the welfare of the men and women in uniform he served with.

I have zero sympathy for Colin Powell. In fact I have less sympathy for him precisely because he was supposed to have a clue and the world respected his opinion. He used that respect to help sell the war. He has a looong way to go before he is "redeemed" let alone looked to for advice.

[w4rma]

16. Powell gained the power he has by helping to cover up the Mai Lai massacre in Vietnam. (nt)

[LiberalFighter]

23. I don't think Powell thought he was used when he helped cover up the My Lai Massacre

[bigtree]

24. what makes it worse is he KNEW he had bogus 'evidence'

complained about it, then proceeded to present it to the UN in a 3 hour presentation.

And, he stayed on with the Bush administration for some time afterward. If he wanted to be separated from the lie he should have done that. Instead he basically helped Bush initiate his occupation and hung around to insure Bush was secure in it.

Powell coming back now and criticizing is much too little, too late.

[DURHAM D]

25. He has been "used" since the late 60s by the righties.

You have assigned him a feeling (shame) that reflects your personal desire and does not in any way describe the actions and words of Colin Powell.

He has a more than 40 year history of being a slime ball.

[Captain Hilts]

38. This is always said about women and blacks. Sometimes they actually agree with the policy.

Sometimes, women become suicide bombers for the same reason as men do. It's not always related to family, etc.

Powell let Gulf War II happen. Perhaps he wanted it that way.

[Hamlette]

10. For gawd's sake, let's not EVER talk to our fellow Americans if they do not

believe exactly like we do. If we do, we might learn something.

don't want that.

[Warren Stupidity]

32. So no problem with Powell's behavior regardin the Iraq War?

[Hamlette]

44. where is it I said I had not problem with Powell's behavior? Of course I think he should have stood

up to Cheney/Bush/Rummy or quit. That would have been the honorable thing to do.

But if I think I can get information from him that will help me be a better president? I'll talk all night if I have to.

(Why is it that the party that advocate diplomacy and talking to countries like Iran who say bad things about all of us won't even consider talking to a (shudder) republican?)

You people have lost it.

[Warren Stupidity]

50. So a man with horrible judgment, a man who made

a choice to participate in a massively unconscionable endeavor, a criminal conspiracy to fraudulently take this nation to war, is a suitable adviser to Obama?

I am astounded that you both do not support the war, have problems with Powell's behavior, but fail to see why seeking his advice, at the least, is unseemly?

[Hamlette]

58. three points

I'll talk to anyone. I can't believe Democrats, who think we should talk to Syria and Iran, don't think Obama should talk to Powell. I don't think talking to Powell, twice even, will turn Obama into Dick Cheney. I have more faith in him because I think he is an adult. I'm guessing you do not. And when he becomes president (or whoever does) do you think they will turn into communists if they talk to Korea or into Muslim nut cases if they talk to Iran?

I think we can learn something by talking to people who have different views. I don't think we learn much (if anything) by always talking to people who the same views we have.

Second, I'm sympathetic to Obama in particular given that Powell achieved the highest rank of a black in our history. (Yes, Condi too, but I mean human being).

Powell failed us at a critical juncture but so did a lot of people (both Clintons, Kerry, Edwards). Since the UN didn't go along with us (just didn't condemn us) was the speech to the UN worse than a vote to authorize the war? Did you vote for Kerry? I would remind you that it was Powell who went to the greatest lengths of anyone in the Bush admin to stop the war. Did either Clinton, Kerry or Edwards? Was it because they were not in a position to? Then good for Powell. He used his position to try to talk sense into Bush. When he failed he should have resigned. I'm not going to forgive him but I voted for Kerry. I was willing to put in the office of Presidency a man whose judgment was just as faulty as Powell's. Maybe worse.

Obama is just talking to Powell. He's not supporting him for President like I did Kerry.

[BlooInBloo]

40. Not the ones that lie to the UN to start a war. Duh.

[WinkyDink]

41. Powell is HARDLY just a mere "fellow American". Would you say it's okay to talk to Cheney?

[Hamlette]

43. Of course it's okay to talk to Cheney, Bush even.

What is the problem with talking to people?

If you are so weak you believe talking to someone with different views will destroy your principles, you need the spine you accuse Dems of not having.

[Cyrano]

11. In one way, Colin Powell is worse than Bush, Cheney, Rove and

all the rest of them. He was a (previously) honorable man who kept his mouth shut and went along.

Powell was perhaps the one person who could have prevented the invasion of Iraq. He knew that WMDs was bullshit and had he spoken out and said so, he might have stopped it before it even got started. He was universally respected and he would have been believed far more readily than any of the criminals that inhabit this administration. Alas, to his everlasting shame, he said nothing.

What a pity. A man who spent his life serving his country and protecting the Constitution caved in to a bunch of tin horn tyrants. I don't know how he lives with himself.

[Scriptor Ignotus]

61. he kept his mouth shut?

then why was the state department always clashing with Bolton and Rumsfeld and Cheney's staffs? Powell did NOT see eye to eye with these people and I'm talking pre-invasion here. This is well documented...

[liberal N proud]

12. Powell is still lying to justify his lies and the part he played in drawing us into war

On Meet the Press he proved that once you lie, you must continue to lie unless you are prepared to face the truth and pay the consequences.
He thinks that he can keep the charade going and Obama would do himself a favor to dump Powell.

[incapsulated]

15. If anything, he is using Obama

To try to help his own damn image.

[MzShellG]

13. Kick.......

Powell was up against Rummy and Cheney. He had no real decision making influence within the pentagon. As long as he stays in the background I think he would make a good advisor for Obama.

[Annces]

17. Being young, I think he is very moldable

I think he should stay away from a Bush crony.

[WiseButAngrySara]

18. It's bad news and very poor judgement but he won't get my

vote anyway.

[bigtree]

19. that's really not good at all

I hope the report is exaggerated.

[Just-plain-Kathy]

20. This is bad news...

Up until now I had no reason to dislike Obama.

...I have this thing about some of our candidates. It amazes me that a woman like Hillary who is hated by all republicans, and a lot of democrats, has the nerve to run for president. It makes me think she's part of the Bush plan to control our government.

Then there's Edwards who helped Lieberman by co-sponsoring the IWR.

Obama getting into bed with Powell turns me off to him. :tinfoilhat:

recommend

[LiberalFighter]

21. A major blunder

[Mark Twain Girl]

26. Oh gawd, Colin Powell who lied before the Security Council as part of the drumbeat to war?

That's nice, very nice. Magical morphin' trucks, chemical munitions bunkers, Iraq linked to Al Qaeda...

Flashback to February 2003 - http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/02/05/sprj.irq.powell.un/index.html

No thanks.

[Nikia]

27. I don't think that it is a bad thing

It makes sense that Obama would seek help from another black man who has dealt with national politics.
I think that we can trust Obama to be smart enough to take Powell's advice only when it matches his ideals and values.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

28. Powell is a whore who goes to wherever the power is ......

n/t

[Fleshdancer]

29. does this mean Colin Powell is done with the GOP?

Or is he just doing this for money?

If Powell were to go on the Sunday morning talk show circuit or the speaker circuit or write more books then yes, I would listen to what he had to say but should he be advising Democratic candidates? No. He couldn't correctly advise himself when the administration used and abused him and made him into a lying fool in front of the UN. Why would I think his advice to someone else would be any better?

[Bullet1987]

30. Powell was an utter patsy for this war and he knows it

In my eyes, he had the integrity and foresight to leave because I think he realized Bush was going to drive his administration and this country down into the abyss. He knew what was coming, and I doubt anything that's happening now is a big surprise to him. Bush is a fool, an imperialist fool...and that's the bottom line.

[WinkyDink]

42. Which way are the political winds blowing? There you will find CP.

[EST]

31. This really does bring up some huge questions about political maneuvering, if true.

On the one hand, Powell is pretty highly regarded by a rather large percentage of the moderate (oxymoron?) tighty righties. On the other, Powell got his chops covering up unjustified savagery and pornographic violence in Nam, further pursued wingnut lapdog-ism right on up through the Raygun misadventures with another coverup and enabling of illegal arms deals and money laundering (for which Raygun and ghwb should have been impeached) and then stunned the world with his unconscionable fraud and criminal collusion in the selling of the Iraq war.

And he still sings his "Proud to be a Republican" refrain, resisting public accounting.

I can see the political wisdom, but the one thing we need less than a dose of the clap is one more damn politician president.
Paraphrasing Joe Biden, Obama represented a clean slate, fresh, glib, intelligent and, to all outward appearances, as yet unbesmirched by the beltway corruption that tarnishes nearly everyone in national government.

I hope this is bullshit. It would stigmatize perceptions of Sen. Obama's judgement beyond redemption.

[yurbud]

33. Obama or any of the top three will likely follow old bipartisan foreign policy consensus

and that's what Powell represents.

That gives Obama credibility with the big money people, so they might let him get the nomination and possibly even win.

I don't necessarily like that cost of admission, but Clinton, Carter, LBJ, Kennedy & Truman largely followeed their orders on foreign policy and in exchange were given some latitude on domestic policy.

[Avalux]

34. Bad News. Powell sold his integrity to be a Bush lackey.

Once a man is proven to be a liar, there's no going back; at least not with me. What Powell did is unforgivable in my mind and I think many other Democrats think the same way. Don't see how he could help Obama with our party. Maybe to get Republican votes, but that's a gamble.

[Bozita]

35. There's no room in my 'big tent' for war criminals and enablers.

Powell is well beyond political redemption and Obama oughtta know it.

[Hippo_Tron]

36. I don't see any reason not to listen to Powell, but I'd take his advice with some skepticism

[Buzz Clik]

54. Exactly. The pitfalls of not considering all sides in foreign policy are being played out today.

[Captain Hilts]

37. And people are all over Al Wynn for hanging with Harold Ford. This is WORSE. nt

[WinkyDink]

39. This is a deal-breaker, for me. Powell is an unprincipled REPUBLICAN, pardon my redundancy.

[Disturbed]

45. Obama is making a big mistake.

This nexus will lessen his credibility.

[dave123williams]

47. Powell's proven to be a tool.

It's sad really; he's a very smart man that loves this country a lot.

He was made to look the fool, and like a good soldier, he didn't ask any questions. He just poured a bunch of gasoline on his good reputation and lit it on fire.

[cureautismnow]

48. Keep your hands clean, Obama.

Stay as far away from CP as humanly possible. He has sooooooo much innocent blood on his hands. Wouldn't want any of the residue to rub off on you.

[UTUSN]

49. Think about it n/t

[maine_raptor]

51. Is this for real????????

I begin by noting how this thread is titled:

"Colin Powell is advising Obama?"

Notice the question mark. Hmmm, where have I seen that little propaganda device used before?

Oh, yea that "Cable Channel That Shall Not Be Mentioned".

Sorry, got to see a confirmed source before I get my knickers in a knot over Sen. Obama "supping with the devil".

[WinkyDink]

55. Reported by A/P. Link:

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/06/10/ap3805892.html

[Dawgs]

53. Where is the option for neither good nor bad.

Powell's opinion is still worth hearing, but Obama needs to stay away from him.

I don't think this helps or hurts Obama, although it needs to end now.

[PRETZEL]

56. There may be many stains from his association with this administration

but in the end, General Powell is as big a political insider as there is and does know a great deal. I say use every available tool you have at your disposal.

[WinkyDink]

57. Operative word's being "tool".

[Exultant Democracy]

59. If Obama can get the endorsement of Powell a prominent republican

who is still respected by a very large portion of the country it is going to do a lot to help him win in the general election.

[gravity]

60. I thought Powell was the most honorable member from the Bush administration

He would have made a great Secretary of State if the president had a sane foreign policy.