Powell Could Gain a Lot By Endorsing Obama

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

BARACK OBAMA, HORSERACE

I'll be stunned if Colin Powell does not endorse Barack Obama. (Today brings word that they met June 18.) Right now, Powell's going to be largely, if not primarily, remembered as the man who sold the Iraq war at the United Nations. When Powell passes on, a reference to "showcasing erroneous intelligence about weapons of mass destruction that were not found in Iraq" will crop up no later than the third sentence in his obituary.

It's hard to believe that's how he wants to be remembered, demonized by nearly half the country and most of the world's elites as "Bush's enabler."

But if Powell endorses Obama, it will not only be a PR and momentum bonanza for the Democratic nominee, but the retired general will be touted as the man who put his credibility on the line for Obama. The questions surrounding Obama - experience, accomplishments, familiarity with the military and national security issues, connection to middle-American values - are all Powell's strengths. If the retired general and former Secretary of State says Obama will do okay as commander-in-chief, a lot of Americans will exhale with relief.

In the eyes of the press, Powell endorsing McCain would be dog bites man. A Republican secretary of state endorsing a Democrat is unexpected; that's man bites dog.

But in actually, an endorsement of McCain would be an enormous upset.

UPDATE: Even though Powell donated the legal maximum to McCain in August of last year.

07/02 11:16 AM Share