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Will Powell endorse Obama?

James Forsyth

Thursday, 3rd July 2008

There's been a lot of buzz about the possibility of former Secretary of State Colin Powell swinging behind Obama. But so far, Powell--who is friends with McCain and donated to his primary campaign--has stayed neutral. The news that Powell and Obama met recently sparked off another round of speculation. But it turns out that Powell and McCain also sat down recently. Still, Bob Novak, the veteran US political reporter, says that Powell endorsing Obama is virtually a "sure thing". If he's right, that's a big blow to McCain as Powell not backing his friend would help the Democrats make the case that McCain has changed and that he represents a Bush third term.

(Interestingly, the word I heard last time I was in DC that the job Powell might be interested in is education secretary.).

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TGF UKIP

July 3rd, 2008 8:50pm

Obama's already going to get the black vote and the liberal vote and while Powell might swing a few white independent votes his way, a Powell endorsement of Obama really might just ignite the Republican base for McCain.

Ian C

July 4th, 2008 10:13am

It would be a blow to McCain's morale but probably not a surprise as Powell stood down in 2004 on the view that Iraq was unwinnable and it would be a flip for him to back someone who says it is. So it will more reflect the disappointment the right feel about Powell than a hard blow to McCain.

Had Powell stuck in there after 2004 he would have had far more real influence and his vote would be worth worrying about. He would not have handed over to the appeasenik disaster that we've had with Rice. (Being of an academic background, she was always going to be less effective in an executive position). And Powell's decision to quit demonstrated the shortcomings of a military man in national politics.

In short, a disappointment not a killer blow and he has been proved wrong on Iraq. This could help contrast McCain's principled backbone with those who would/did quit.