Colin Powell Gives Obama Foreign Policy Advice

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT/AP: Powell Gives Obama Foreign Policy Advice
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: June 10, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has sought out former Secretary of State Colin Powell for advice on foreign policy matters.

While Powell served in the administrations of two Republican presidents, he said Sunday it was too early in the 2008 race to say whether he would back the GOP nominee.

''I'm going to support the best person that I can find who will lead this country for the eight years beginning in January of 2009,'' Powell said....

Powell said he has met twice with Obama, the Illinois senator. ''I've been around this town a long time and I know everybody who is running for office. And I make myself available to talk about foreign policy matters and military matters with whoever wishes to chat with me,'' Powell said.

Powell said he does not want to serve in elected office but was less certain about a return to some government post.

''I would not rule it out. I am not at all interested in political life if you mean elected political life. That is unchanged. But I always keep my eyes open and my ears open to requests for service,'' he said....

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-On-the-2008-Trail.html

[LBJDemocrat]

1. Powell for Secretary of State again? n/t

[Phredicles]

2. On the theory that, if he's toadying up to a good guy, he'll be one himself?

[ludwigb]

3. This Could Be Big News

Imagine the MMM fawning response if Powell becomes a player in the Obama team. I'd like to see Obama succeed so I look on this as a good thing PR wise. With Powell in an advisory position, Obama can use Powell's notereity as cover from GOP FP attacks. After Obama is elected, he can put Powell in a prominent position as a reward, but hopefully delegate matters so Powell can't do any real damage.

Let's just hope Obama doesn't look upon Powell as a role model. After Powell's UN presentation in 2003 I'll never be able to see him as a trustworthy figure again. Even if Powell was always opposed to unilateral invasion he should have put his foot down before disgracing himself and becoming a key witness in the Bush Admin/MMM's fraudulent case for preemptive war.

[earthlover]

4. Powell would help Obama

I, too, think Powell sold out to Bush and for that reason I have lost a lot of respect for him. However, if Powell were to support Obama it would still be a big plus. Powell is well known, associated with foreign policy, and being a Republican would also illustrate Obama's appeal across party lines. It would be a good coup for Obama is it were to happen.

I am not reading any more into this, however, than that Powell is sucking up to all the candidates.

[DURHAM D]

5. I disagree -

Obama's association with Powell is a deal breaker for me and will prove to be the same for many. Next we will hear that he is meeting with Clarence Thomas and Condi Rice.

[Ethelk2044]

6. Clarence Thomas and Condi Rice

are not in the same league as Powell. There is no comparison. Powell was used by bush and chaney. He knows it and his wife knows it.

[Phredicles]

7. Yes, he was used. And he sat back and let it happen.

Not what I want to see as part of a Democratic candidate's team: There's WAY too much of that in our party as it is.

[Colobo]

9. Powell made a mistake and has regretted it since.

[Catchawave]

11. I will never forgive Powell, too much blood on his hands.

Obama can seek better FP advice and dump his association with this Bushbot.

[Ethelk2044]

23. If you say that about Colin

They could not have gone to war, if congress did not vote to authorize it. Then you should be angry at everyone who gave them the authorization for the war.

[Adelante]

91. Good point nt

[Cameron27]

96. Yep, I agree

[DURHAM D]

10. You are right - no comparison.

Powell has been doing the dirty work of the righties since 1968.

Powell is dirty and Obama will get screwed by him. This association is exactly why I don't trust Obama - he is naive.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

12. I'll just repeat my LBN post here since its the same topic

While i agree that Powell is not the best man to go to, one cannot deny that he does know a lot.

I'm going to assume that he simply does like me when researching an issue: he visits a lot of people, hears a lot of viewpoints then reads a number more before he makes a final choice.

If its my above viewpoint then talking to Powell is a wise choice as he very likely has some useful information to give others, if Powell is the only one spoken to its a bad one. As i see it talking to everybody is usually a good plan as long as the decision is made by what HE thinks is best, not what others have told him

To end it with a Buddha quote: Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.

The above quote actually fits Obama to a fair degree as i see him

[DURHAM D]

13. What good is talking to someone who knows no other

way than to lie and cover? Powell is amoral.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

15. As i see it

as long as Obama makes his own decisions then its a wise thing to talk to all sides(Powell does know a lot about foreign affairs).

Cutting of a source of information i've never seen as a wise course of action, Powell is very likely only one of many people Obama have talked to as such he is getting a larger picture and a wider spectrum of views to figure out what the best course of action is. A problem can very seldom be solved just listening to one side of the matter.(another favorite saying: Truth is a three-edged sword. One side is your truth, the other side is their truth, and the third side is the truth. )

[Ethelk2044]

24. Obama is not Naive

If he was, he would not be where he is. The naive person are the ones who voted for the authorization for the war and did not read the bill. He said from the get go that it was not enough reason to go to war. How many other people can say that. He thinks things through and does not go with the flow like other people do. I trust him more than the others because he was right.

[earthlover]

22. I understand what you are saying

I don't like Powell either, or rather, I feel he sold out. My point was that I thought Powell endorsing Obama would probably help him, and I was mainly thinking of the general election. I think it is unlikely, though. For Powell to endorse Obama it would contradict his support for Iraq. I don't know. Powell is a tragic figure in my view.

Quite frankly, Obama would be much more strongly helped by Clark endorsing him, and that would of course assume Clark decided not to run. Clark is after all a progressive Democrat, and opposed Iraq from the start. He also has as much or more military honors as Powell does.

It IS interesting that on both the Dem and Rep sides, hardly anyone has military or even foreign policy experience, at least not first hand.

[Colobo]

8. Welcome aboard, Colin. I knew you were a good guy!

[Catchawave]

14. Wow.

Just Wow. :eyes:

[SexyLiberal]

16. And this will help him how?

And is Colin gonna teach him how to lie to the UN and the people of the world too? I lost all respect for Colin after he did that. I used to love the guy. Oh well...

[Bullet1987]

17. Powell was a patsy...he is not a neocon and in the same league as

Bush, Cheney, Perle, Wolfowitz, etc. Which is why he left...

[ChiciB1]

84. Powell Has VERY DIRTY HANDS!!!! From Waaaaaaaay Back! n/t

[Bodhi BloodWave]

18. It will help Obama

by giving him another viewpoint on foreign policy

Thats all i read into the news

Also lets concider the source; this is Powell speaking not Obama so by believing it you are trusting him to be truthful, also it only states he has met with Obama twice, tho it does not state where, how, why etc etc(for all we know they could have met at functions where both had to be at and they talked a bit)

Listening to somebody is not a bad thing, trusting them blindly would be(but i don't see Obama as the type to trust people blindly)

[Ethelk2044]

25. Powell made one mistake

Until the Powell had people pushing for him to run for President. He has more pull than you think.

[mitchtv]

28. you mean, besides the Mei Lai cover up?

??????

[Ethelk2044]

90. When you can get 4 stars and Go into the Military

Work as hard as he did to get where he is. The congress was an enabler. All of those who voted to authorized the war. I do not believe he was in the Senate to cast one vote. If so show me the roll call with his name on it. You are trying to put all the blame on him. He did not cast one vote in the Senate. Those are the enablers.

[Colobo]

19. I never had a bad impression of Powell, even after the UN blunder.

[mitchtv]

26. Blunder= Lies=Kiss of death

Put some of that egg on Obama's face too. Two words: Credibility Gap.

[Ethelk2044]

92. When you talk about Credibility Obama

has more credibility than either one of the Clintons. Please give me a break.

[libnnc]

49. "...UN blunder..."

Blunder. BLUNDER?!?! :wtf:

Young man, that BLUNDER has cost over 655,000 Iraqi civilian's lives and over 3,500 lives of US men and women. Not to mention the countless number of displaced Iraqis and the tens of thousands of US TROOPS WHO HAVE BEEN PERMANENTLY INJURED--MAIMED.

BLUNDER... :nuke:



Christ, you are so fucking out of touch it's embarrassing. If you believe this is a good thing for your candidate, you're a fool.

Obama should know better. And so should you.

[Beaverhausen]

103. What you said!

I guess some people are still fooled by the seeming "credibility" of Powell, especially if he starts hanging out with one's candidate of choice.

[Tellurian]

21. yeah, very interesting..

sounds like a warning to me..to who? Democrats?

[MonkeyFunk]

29. So Powell

who cheerled the war, lied to the United Nations and the Congress, can be forgiven, but Clinton cannot for believing him?

[avrdream]

31. My thoughts exactly.

But I am pleased when ANY candidate tries to obtain good advice.....Powell went out horribly but he was the only one in that administration who appeared to be uncomfortable with the neocon policies.

[Cameron27]

80. Apparently so...

I can't believe what I'm reading. Obama made a big mistake going to Powell for anything.

[Ethelk2044]

94. Did he vote?

One he the one who did not read the bill?


The he get bush the authorization to go to war?

NO


NO

[Cameron27]

101. But Powell was part of the stage crew

that sold it. Obama's clean regarding the IWR, so I wish he'd just stay clear of any associations with anyone who's tainted by it. Powell's still spinning the war right now, blaming it on faulty intel.

[Wilms]

20. I have mixed feelings about this.

But I have to say I'm glad it ain't Madeline Albright.

[mitchtv]

27. God knows

you wouldn't want a successful foreign policy

[Wilms]

30. You're correct.

Our foriegn policy was successful in seeing to the death of a half million children in Iraq while awaiting * to come in and finish the job.

But it's all besides the point. She may be to busy with her current gig working for the Carlyle Group to consider public service.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

32. HRC would--rightly-be crucified if she were relying on advice of Powell

Why is Obama getting a free pass? HRC is at least a known quantity. Obama is largely a blank slate. If anything, his association with Powell should raise questions about him that would not arise if HRC or Biden were doing the same thing.

It is also ironic to see Obama supporters think nothing of this. Some of the same people who vilify HRC, Edwards, Biden, and Dodd for voting for the IWR in a 77-23 vote have no problem with Powell. Powell actually made a real difference in the war occurring. It was Powell, not HRC, who lied to a world audience at the UN. It was Powell, not Edwards, who spoke with leaders around the world to drum up support for the war. It was Powell, not Dodd, who refused to use his good offices to tell Bush II the truth about the situation. * probably would not have listened but if there is any non-neocon he would have listened to it would have been Powell. Powell chose to remain silent about the fundamental premises of the war.

What is next? Obama asking Wolfowitz to join his team? :eyes:

[ludwigb]

33. Yeah I agree with you...

It's just a matter of politics. For the vast unwashed masses, Colin Powell is a proven commonity. And the public doesn't seem to blame him for the war at all, despite all available evidence re. his distortions.

If Obama came out and said "Colin Powell is a great leader and I take his advice to heart" then this would become a liability for me as a supporter.

[mitchtv]

38. OMG I just saw a flying pig coming from an Ice rink in Hell

I agree

[draft_mario_cuomo]

105. LOL

:rofl:

[Dawgs]

60. Talking to a guy twice is not asking him to join his team.

Nice try though.

[draft_mario_cuomo]

78. Is he going to talk to Cheney and Wolfowitz too? Perle?

Let's face it: HRC would be crucified for this.

[BluegrassDem]

34. Would Powell be eligible to be Secretary of Defense?

I don't know if there's a rule about former generals heading the Pentagon or not.

[Bucky]

46. They have to wait 10 years after retirement before being eligible. The only role for Powell

is if he turn's state's evidence against the rest of the cabal.

Otherwise, the man is utterly useless.

[wyldwolf]

35. "Son, whenever possible, use fake drawings to make your point."

[Bucky]

45. !

I used to have a whaleload of respect for Colin Powell. But the one time he was in a position to make a real difference in history, he made himself into a hollow man. Associating with Republicans sucks the soul of anyone who tries to do right in the world. He's spent the last three years trying to reclaim his dignity. He helped the men who hurt this country--he'll never do enough good in his life to undo the harm he's done to the world.
.

[BootinUp]

58. lol. n/t

[illinoisprogressive]

36. how very interesting.

[Hippo_Tron]

37. I have no problem with him getting advice from Powell, but I hope he takes it with a grain of salt

Perhaps maybe a shaker of salt.

[bvar22]

39. Colin Powell is a WAR CRIMINAL!

Colin Powell is a PLAYER, NOT a Patsy!
He presented testimony to the UN that he KNEW was BOGUS!

"He (Saddam) has not developed any significant capability with respect to weapons of mass destruction. He is unable to project conventional power against his neighbors."Colin Powell, 24 February 2001

"The sanctions, as they are called, have succeeded over the last 10 years, not in deterring him from moving in that direction, but from actually being able to move in that direction. The Iraqi regime militarily remains fairly weak. It doesn't have the capacity it had 10 or 12 years ago. It has been contained. .. They have not been able to come out with the capacity to deliver these kinds of systems or to actually have these kinds of systems that is much beyond where they were 10 years ago." Colin Powell, 15 May 2001


http://www.thememoryhole.com/war/powell-no-wmd.htm


Powell is as responsible as ANY OTHER NeoCon (and some Democrats) for the violent and useless deaths of 500,000 Iraqis and 3400 American soldiers.

Powell has more than enough BLOOD on his hands to lend some to Obama, who (BTW) is in favor of continuing the Occupation.

It is significant that "More War" Obama would seek the counsel of this weasel.

[w4rma]

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

[ChiciB1]

85. EXACTLY MY POINT!! Check It Out!! Powell Is A Skunk!! n/t

[Ethelk2044]

100. If he is a Skunk

Hillary and Edwards are worst. They are the ones who voted to authorize the war. We would have never gone to war if they would have done their jobs the right way. Edwards know what was going on, yet he voted for the war. Everyone is saying Powell needs to be brought up on war crimes.

As I see it, Hillary and Edwards voted to authorize the war. There are equally responsible for this war. They should be brought up on war crimes as well.

[w4rma]

132. Obama and Hillary tacitly supported the IWR-2007.

Obama and Hillary waited until it was safely passed to vote.
Obama and Hillary did not say one word against IWR-2007 until it had been passed and they voted.

Obama said, before Bush began his veto threats, that he would support a bill with no restrictions.

And today that's exactly what we have.

If President Bush vetoes an Iraq war spending bill as promised, Congress quickly will provide the money without the withdrawal timeline the White House objects to because no lawmaker "wants to play chicken with our troops," Sen. Barack Obama said Sunday.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/4/1/135422/4038

And this is all while Bush's and Republican approval is in the toilet and Edwards is strongly speaking out against it and the majority of the nation (rather than 10% of the nation) is opposed to this war.

That is way things stand in the present day.

[Ethelk2044]

99. Why did Edwards vote to authorize the war when

he knew it was a lie? All Senators who voted for the war need to be brought up on charges.

[w4rma]

131. Obama and Hillary tacitly supported funding the Iraq War in 2007.

Obama and Hillary waited until it was safely passed to vote.
Obama and Hillary did not say one word against IWR-2007 until it had been passed and they voted.

Obama said, before Bush began his veto threats, that he would support a bill with no restrictions.

And today that's exactly what we have.

If President Bush vetoes an Iraq war spending bill as promised, Congress quickly will provide the money without the withdrawal timeline the White House objects to because no lawmaker "wants to play chicken with our troops," Sen. Barack Obama said Sunday.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/4/1/135422/4038

And this is all while Bush's and Republican approval is in the toilet and Edwards is strongly speaking out against it and the majority of the nation (rather than 10% of the nation) is opposed to this war.

That is way things stand in the present day.

[Dawgs]

61. News Flash: Obama talked to a Republican.

Jesus Christ; he talked to the man twice. He wanted to hear his opinion on a few things.

Last week I heard that Kucinich talked to a Republican Senator about abortion; and the week before that I heard that Fiengold talked to someone in the Bush Administration about fixing health care.

The week before that I even heard that Al Gore talked to a Tony Blair about how to fix our problems with the environment.

Are we really this fucking stupid?

[Ethelk2044]

109. It looks like

some of us are.

[Ethelk2044]

95. We should make all the Senators

Who voted for the war


WAR Criminals then.

[Colobo]

40. Obama has what it takes to HEAL the country, and this proves it.

He is the UNITER, not the judge.

[bvar22]

41. Sorry.

I'm NOT interested in uniting with War Criminals.

I'm interested in prosecuting them.

[Ethelk2044]

97. Then you need to make sure you

push to have those who voted to authorized the war arrested.

[bvar22]

42. No Sale!

I'm NOT interested in uniting with War Criminals.

I'm interested in prosecuting them.

[Tellurian]

52. Well, I guess you can forget that Obama is ever going to prosecute the Neocons!

it will be more of the same if he is the nominee. Unless, the GOP thinks the democrats are that stupid they won't notice their migration.

[jefferson_dem]

53. Migration? Please explain.

Thanks.

[Tellurian]

57. I tried to begin to explain about Obama's migration problems..

but you and yours barraged the MOds here, accusing me of smearing your candidate..and had my thread locked, so no further discussion could continue.

So, you tell me what you think it means.

[Dawgs]

62. Hillary = Powell.

She believed him about the war, and Obama did not.

I'll take Obama.

[Tellurian]

65. Bush/Cheney = Powell!

nice try dawgs..Hillary is far and a way no part of the Powell/Bush/Cheney power structure. Don't forget to read the 2 newest books about Hillary, not once mentioning her affiliation with Powell or any other Neocons.

I'm sure if Hillary was seeking Foreign Policy advice from Powell and Kissinger, you'd be all over her for it, like stink on skunk.

[Dawgs]

68. I would be all over it, because Hillary is just as responsible for this war as anyone.

And, she doesn't apologize for it.

[Tellurian]

71. And denial is not a river..

if it were anyone else but Obama, say, Edwards, you'd be shouting from the roof tops...commiserating with the enemy is a crime!

[bvar22]

75. Agree. Obama is as bad as Hillary where the WAR is concerned.

Both will keep the WAR going, and the $MONEY$ flowing to their BIG CORPO Profiteers.

[Tellurian]

115. yeah, right..

If she said, she'll end the war after she's elected, she will-

Thats where Hillary and Obama differ. Obama is making war plans.

[MonkeyFunk]

43. Then he should hire

Kissinger as his secretary of state, and heal the wounds from Viet Nam.

It's hard to believe your serious about that stance.

[Tellurian]

51. He's a War Criminal complicit with Bush in aiding and abetting War Crimes..

"Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has sought out former Secretary of State Colin Powell for advice on foreign policy matters."

Powell knew the Truth and agreed to go before the UN and vouch for Bush and Cheney's word. Powell was seen holding a vial of supposedly yellow cake, displaying it on a worldwide telecast to an International Audience, as a sampling of what Saddam Hussein was documented procuring from Niger in a CiA report. All the while knowing his testimony was key to convincing UN leaders, the American People and Congress.

What will it take for you to wake up and smell the coffee?

[jefferson_dem]

54. By that same token, all those who beat their own set of war drum by voting for IWR

is also complicit. Take Hillary, for example. Did she also "know" Chimpy and his henchmen were "cooking the books" or did she just exercise bad judgment?

[Tellurian]

56. Nice try converting water to wine, Jefferson Dem..

Get a grip! Powell was way before the vote and your use of old cliches just won't fly in justifying what is going on with your candidate. The evidence is overwhelming at this point!

[Ethelk2044]

88. She Helped Push the war

He voted for the war and did not even think it was important enough to read the documents. Although she knew it was a possibility that we would go to war. To me this was poor judgment. Also, knowing if we did go to war, our soldiers lives would be in jeopardy. No one can tell me she makes good judgment calls.

[Tellurian]

117. Obama has copyed her entire voting record with the exception of 1 vote..

so therefore, what goes for Hillary, goes for Obama as well.

You just knifed your own candidate in the back, thinking you were hurting Hillary!

:rofl:

[draft_mario_cuomo]

79. Getting in bed with the likes of Powell is what "unity" will require

What is overlooked about the Obama mantra of "unity" is the accommodations to Republicans that achieving it would require--assuming Obama is serious about doing what Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln, TR, FDR, JFK, et ak. could not do. Perhaps it is just a convenient political ploy, although he does sound sincere. But I am wary of candidates running on "unity." I remember someone else saying that...

[Bucky]

44. Powell Advice to Obama: Don't get thousands of people killed for oil profits; avoid vanity wars

"Oh, Barack, and one other think: don't listen to advice from dumbfucks who don't do their homework and enable war mongers."

Fifteen years ago Colin Powell was the only Republican who could have united this country. Today he's a used up hack. When his country needed him, it turned out tht General Powell was missing only three things: his left testicle, his right testicle, and his backbone.

[Solon]

47. I can't believe so many people are DEFENDING Colin Powell on this thread!

To be frank, I'm shocked, here is what he wrote during the My Lai accusations: "In direct refutation of this portrayal is the fact that relations between American soldiers and the Vietnamese people are excellent."

This guy sold his soul for expediency long before he became Bush the Lesser's lackey.

[bling bling]

48. I hope Obama just gathers whatever nuggets of wisdom he can and cuts the ties.

Powell may have loads of experience and he could probably be a great help in terms of foreign policy. But his huge problem is valuing dedication to superiors over dedication to his country. He probably would not say anything or give any advice that would put him in a position to feel disloyal to anyone he's worked for. That being the case, he probably has a lot less to offer someone like Obama.

[malikstein]

50. What could Obama learn from Powell?

Maybe he needs pointers on how to lie America into another war. This is bad news for Obama.

But, then again, he's in tight with the military-industrial complex through the Crown family of Chicago (General Dynamics), so maybe Obama wants somebody like Powell around him to maintain his credibility with the merchants of death.

[Tellurian]

70. What is that all about? Merchants of Death?

But, then again, he's in tight with the military-industrial complex through the Crown family of Chicago (General Dynamics), so maybe Obama wants somebody like Powell around him to maintain his credibility with the merchants of death.

I'm not understanding exactly who you are referring to as "in tight" with the "Merchants of Death"? Can you elaborate?

[malikstein]

73. Mr. Obama is a protégé of the Crown family.

[Ethelk2044]

82. I think you are forgetting Powell is a 4 Star General

He could give him a lot of knowledge. Are have you forgotten about his previous position with the 1st Iraq war. This war does not wipe away his years of military and foreign affairs experience. No matter how much you are anyone else would like that to happen.

[Tellurian]

55. Some of the reasons given justifying Obama's outreach to Neocons is astounding..

and you all castigated me, complaining to the Mods I was out of line!

Maybe, I don't believe in blind allegiance to someone we hardly know a ding, dang thing about! From what I have seen and read so far about the newcomer, he'll never get my vote, and might as well change Partys seeing he seeks their advise rather than from knowledgeable Democrats.

Powell didn't call Obama; Obama called him!

[Adelante]

59. It's possible to read too much into this

Obama is receiving advice from various experts. Just because he's talked to Gen. Powell and may take his viewpoints into consideration shouldn't be expanded to Powell being any part of the Obama campaign operations. Gen. Clark is also advising Obama, as he is other candidates who want his help, because he has something to offer in an important area of expertise and knowledge. If you recall, in 2003 Clark advised Howard Dean on war and foreign policy. It's not the same as when advisors are formally associated and endorse a candidate, such as the list of military advisors issued recently by the Edwards campaign.

[Tellurian]

63. Yes, I have the greatest respect in the world for General Clark..

but have not seen any recent articles where he has given advise to Obama, or if Obama has requested it. After all, Gen Clark is a democrat. If you have, I'd appreciate a link to same.

[Adelante]

74. Recent link

The Politico 5/31/07
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0507/4262.html

-snip

But in the meantime, he's been acting more like a Democratic Party wise man than a candidate in his own right, to the degree that he's offered private advice in recent weeks to potential rivals. He's spoken in recent weeks to leading presidential candidates, said Clark spokesman Erick Mullen.

"It's a regular dialogue with most of these candidates about war and diplomacy," said Mullen.

And he's also emerged as a possible valuable supporter for Democratic front-runners with no military experience.

"Wesley Clark is an asset and has a lot to offer, and we'd certainly value his support," said Clinton spokesman Phil Singer.

Obama spokesman Bill Burton agreed and said Obama recently spoke with Clark. "Like most Americans, Sen. Obama thinks that Gen. Clark has a wealth of experience in issues of national security," Burton said.

Clark occupies a unique role in the Democratic Party. His military credentials, stretching from service in Vietnam to the position of NATO supreme allied commander during the war in Kosovo, stand out in a wartime election in which none of the front-running Democrats, and only one leading Republican, served in the military.

I would add, in Clark's case, he is on an advisory basis with just about everybody in Congress. He advises both the House and Senate on a range of issues, including but not limited to the military, war and diplomacy - disaster preparedness, privacy rights, for example. So it stands to reason candidates would welcome his input. He has always made himself accesible to members of Congress on any issue he can help with.

[Ethelk2044]

106. Give me a break

If Clark would have given Obama some adivce you would have had a problem with that too.

[Tellurian]

121. Clark is a Democrat and an authority on the War..

Obama lost points turning to a Republican Neocon and has shaken lot of people to the core by commiserating with known War Criminals. You just may see his support fall sharply because of this.. We're not about to let traitors in our midst get elected to the highest office in the land who are so willing to kiss up to Neocons by begging for their advise.

If he had gone to Clark, that would have been an appropriate move under the circumstances, because of his lack of knowledge relating to foreign policy. Obama is moving towards the dark side.

[Dawgs]

64. Thank you.

The only people that will try to make this out to be something are people that aren't voting for Obama anyways.

The headlines are very misleading. Powell talked to Obama twice. Obama apparantely wanted to hear his opinion on a few things. That is all we know.

Powell is not an adviser to Obama, as some of these responses claim.

[Solon]

66. I'm more upset about this bullshit about Powell being an "honorable" man, before Bush...

Powell is a war criminal and an enabler and liar since the 1960s. Why people hold him in such high regard is just window dressing and good PR, not substance. He's as honorable as Bush, that's damning with faint praise.

[Dawgs]

67. I agree. Powell is only slightly less of a war criminal because he regrets it.

I'm upset about people are suggesting Obama brought him on as an advisor. As far as we know, that is not true.

[Solon]

72. Neither one of us know the exact nature of the conversation...

I just hope it has nothing to do with foreign policy, or, if it does, Obama dismisses it. Powell is a WAR advisor, not a foreign policy advisor, and it would be best if we don't forget that.

[Ethelk2044]

83. Powell is not a war criminal

He has given valued Service to this country How quickly we forget with the first Iraq war. Everyone was pushing for him to run for election of the Presidency. Now all of a sudden he can do no right give me a break.

[polichick]

118. Powell could have stopped this war...

All he had to do was speak the truth ~ back when it counted.

[Solon]

140. Colin Powell goes on CNN, and points at a map with a wand and he is now some hero?

Oh please! Despite the fact that Gulf War 1 was ALSO a farce, what with Saddam asking US for permission to invade Kuwait, and we double crossing him, but that is beside the point. The fact is that Powell is a face, window dressing, an empty uniform, nothing more nothing less. Hell, look at his history, with the attempted whitewashing of My Lai, he had no scruples then, and he has none now. You make a mistake in assuming that I was surprised at his recent behavior, in fact, I was, I didn't expect him to actually take his "good soldier" mask off himself, too bad people continue to fall for his scam.

[Tellurian]

69. The point is...to know what your candidate is all about..

we're talking about the Presidency..not some selectman running for a city council position or a state senator in the General Assembly. What is your record for voting for a candidate in the blind? If that is something you often do, why try to dissuade the people who want to know more about a potential candidate running as the next Leader of the (not so much) Free World?

[Dawgs]

76. Oh, give it up.

Hillary voted for the war and won't apologize for it.

Obama has always been against it and talked to Powell twice.

You lose on this one!!

[Tellurian]

110. Give what up?

My right to an opinion, even if you are afraid to accept the Truth?

I think not!

[Ethelk2044]

81. lol

:rofl: Talking about knowing knowing what a candidate is all about. Look at the news my friend about your candidate.

[polichick]

77. Bad move imo...

It might be different if Powell had found his balls and apologized to the American people, but he hasn't. Obama might as well cozy up to Cheney ~ doesn't matter if Powell wasn't one of the planners; he could have blown the whistle and didn't. He's partly responsible for the needless deaths of hundreds of thousands.

[snowbear]

87. Is Senator Obama your candidate of choice?

Just curious..

Seems that those supporting other candidates think this is a horrible idea.

I'm wondering if they'd take the same stance if Powell was assisting their own candidate?

Are you an Obama supporter?

[polichick]

89. I'm only watching at this point, working on a GOTV campaign...

Just call 'em like I see 'em. I don't excuse Powell for his part in carrying out this horrific war, and I'd think it was a bad move no matter which candidate went to him for advice. I like all the candidates for different things, but I don't shy away from the truth. Hillary saying we're safer now was a mad political move, and so was Obama turning to Powell for advice.

[snowbear]

93. I'm just asking if you're leaning towards Obama or someone else?

Just my observation on here that those who are irked by the senator seeking assistance from Powell, are primarily those supporting someone other than him.

Nevermind..

[polichick]

98. Thought I just explained...

I'm not leaning toward any of them at this point, but like them all.

People SHOULD be irked ~ Powell betrayed the country.


Seems folks here make a lot of excuses for their chosen candidates and trash the others, rather than trying to judge them all fairly ~ I don't see the point in that, since we need the best candidate and, in the end, we have to stick together.

[snowbear]

102. And yet still.. he's still popular with Americans.

So as far as gaining political points on liberal message forums.. tain't gonna happen.

But as far as gaining political points on a national scale --- --- if you're Obama's campaign staff and you nab someone like Powell --- it's far likely to be a plus.

You know how John Q. Voter thinks.. Look how they voted in '04.




I think he winds up assisting Obama's campaign, Obama benefits politically.

[polichick]

104. He has to win the nomination first...

And I think many Dems would have trouble with the idea of Powell in an Obama administration.

(I added to my last post ~ hope that makes my view clearer.)

[snowbear]

112. Just because he's an advisor doesn't mean he'd be in the Obama Administration..

If he were elected..

There's quite a few on-line interviews about his meetings with the senator, and General Powell doesn't sounds like he's interested in a full time position.

[polichick]

116. No, it doesn't mean he'd be in the administration...

But just the possibility is a turn-off ~ this is the first thing Obama's done that gives me serious misgivings about his readiness to be president.

[snowbear]

120. Yep..

I know. I can't stand what Powell did either.. (I still get furious every time they run that clip of him showing those bogus aluminum tube photos )

But if I was in a fight like this, I'd go with the politically saavy moves..

And on a national scale, General Powell is still a highly respected figure.

Although.. it's awesome to hear that Obama is also talking to General Clark!

I wish it was the other way around though.. I wish Clark was consulting with Obama, etc..

[polichick]

122. Why isn't Clark in the game this time?

Don't think I've heard anything about that.

[snowbear]

126. One of our DU'ers saw him speak a few nights ago...

And he still claims that he "hasn't said he isn't running yet".. and that he's still "trying to find a way"..


He should just ask DU'ers... There's plenty of people here who would find him a way!

I thought for sure he'd run in '08.. Now I'm not so sure.

I do think he's going to be on everyone's short-list for VP though.

[polichick]

127. Oh good...

It could get even more interesting then ~ the more, the merrier!

[mitchtv]

128. Or is it that Obama supporters will forgive anything?

You've got to admit that there is a certain "can do no wrong" attitude with his supporters. Disclaimer: Obama lost me when he went on MTP and said raising the SS age was on the table. I'm tending towards Edwards

[mitchtv]

129. delete

[AtomicKitten]

86. I hope Powell doesn't get any cooties on Obama.

Not liking the sound of this.

[Kingstree]

108. Colin Powell is a good choice as an adviser to any candidate

C'mon, quite hatin' on Colin Powell. He is one of the best statesman this country has. If he wasn't why are some many candidates seeking advice from him. Based on the interview on "Meet The Press" Sunday, he has a clear view of the situation in Iraq referencing the "three legs" (the surge, training Iraq's military, government stabilization) that need to be accomplished to stabilize and greatly reduce this civil war. Colin Powell has always had the best intentions for America along with many Republicans who left the Bush administration because they realized the arrogance of the administration is horrible. I know that Colin Powell got shafted. Military Generals adhere to a strict code of ethics, loyalty and honor and they expect that from others. I believe him when he said if he knew that the intel was faulty he would not have made that speech. Thank George Bush, Cheney and Tenant for that. Yes he may have blood on his hands as a part of the administration, but he is the best voice out there. This man knows what he is talking about and if allowed, he can make a change with whomever he supports. The world knows his ability as well as the candidates.

[AtomicKitten]

135. he's a Republican that proved to be a good old boy

Obama doesn't need a bright man that should have known better than to facilitate this dumbass, illegal, immoral war around getting any of that on him.

I agree a nice chat could be enlightening. I'm all for greasing elbows with everyone.

I'd love Obama to have lunch with RFK, Jr. Frequently.

[Tellurian]

111. Theres more where that came from..

you just haven't heard about it yet..

[AtomicKitten]

136. don't say Unity '08 or

:puke:


:hi:

[Tellurian]

138. you will be shocked..

I promise you that!

:puke: :puke:

:evilgrin:

[AtomicKitten]

139. you better dish

I must know.

[Tellurian]

142. yep, any time...

[tammywammy]

107. I have no problem with this

I already have formed my opinion of Powell.

Talking to someone twice doesn't mean putting on their team. It also doesn't mean he's automatically going to do what Powell suggests.

Talking to Powell doesn't mean that Obama's not going to talk to anyone else ever again in the future about their foreign policy experience.

I'd be a whole lot more worried if he was having weekly sit downs with Albright or Rice.

[Tellurian]

113. Then what..

If it comes out next week he's having sitdowns with Rice and Rove strategizing his run against Hillary?

I'm sure that will be OK, as well.

[tammywammy]

119. No, and not where did I say that would be okay either

I said I'd really start having problems if he was talking extensively with Rice or Albright.


If Rove joined up with Obama, 1. hell would be freezing over and 2. There be no way in hell I could ever support Obama, regardless of what I think of him now.

[Tellurian]

134. I give you credit for your honesty..

I'm glad someone supporting Obama has their eyes wide open and cares about the direction of the country.

[Kingstree]

123. You are scared to death Obama is going to Beat

Hillary. You are on hear everyday trying to beat the drum against him. Give it a break. All of us already see through you. They tried earlier to get him with the elementary school he went (someone in the Clinton administration leaked to press) did not hurt him. Now if he was to pull all of the stuff in their closet out and a harsh way, everyone would cry foul. He will win because he is the best candidate for this country.

[Tellurian]

133. hahaha! you're funny..

what a lame argument!

c'mon.. you can do better than that- (The Clinton Administration????) what are you smokin? hahahaha!

[polichick]

114. Huffington just said it correctly...

"Where was (Powell's) moral authority when the country needed it?"

She made the point that many people would not have gotten behind the war without Powell's selling of it, because they trusted him.

[Kingstree]

124. She has been kissing up to hillary since she has been running

Give me a break. Who is she anyway NO BODY!

[polichick]

125. Doesn't matter who she is...

What she said is absolutely true ~ where was Powell when the country needed him? He was knowingly selling a lie.

[mitchtv]

130. At least she's not a WORLD CLASS LIAR

who had the nerve to lie to the whole world like your wonderful Colon Powell of Mei Lai fame and mobile chemical weapons claims fame. Arianna has hardly been kissing up to Senator Clinton

[ElizabethDC]

137. Arianna?! Kissing up to Hillary? Quite the opposite.

Do you read the Huffington Post? Arianna is clearly no fan of Hillary's. I think the general consensus is that she leans toward Obama.

[Alamom]

141. Thank you ElizabethDC...I was already wondering where I was with

the "Defending of Colin Powell" and then read Huffington supports Clinton. :crazy:

"Clearly no fan" is a nicely put, but I believe Arianna dislikes Sen. Clinton with a passion.
(I'll be nice, too)