# Colin Powell on VP choice and will his Endorsement go ultimately to Obama? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 5, 2008, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169 "2008-09-05T12:51:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169/1 "2008-09-05T12:51:30Z")
I’m not going to link to the mid-August hubub and rumors that Powell is going to endorse Obama. However, once the RNC is over and the final stretch is embarked upon, I wonder what an endorsement by General Powell would do for Obama’s campaign? Personally, I think Powell will come out and endorse Obama, he does not want to be involved in another cluster-F like what happened when we rolled on Iraq. I believe A turning point for Powell was when he sat before congress and essentially made a case that there were WMD’s in Iraq and that Saddam was going to use them, that that experience truly haunts Colin [conjecture], and it will prevent any endorsement of his friend John McCain. From an interview with Powells Advisors before the conventions on vp choice: > [@](#): > > Powell’s adviser said the vice presidential picks for both candidates would be a major factor in his [Powell] decision, both for the quality of each man’s running mate and for what sort of “signal that choice sends about the character and judgment of the candidate.” [Cite](http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/13/powell.candidates/). Very interesting indeed. Is Powell a good bellwether for the republican upper echelon? ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169/2 "2008-09-05T13:47:05Z")
Well there may be a whole bunch of moderate Republicans who have been on the fence who may finally swing because of the Palin selection. If some of the big names fall over the next week or so it may very well help influence the outcome. Besides Powell (and I do think he’ll drop for Obama soon) who else may Palin and the hard swing to the Right she evinces cause to come out for Obama-Biden? And how much effect will they have? ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169/3 "2008-09-05T14:11:03Z")
That’s a good question: I’ll be interested to see some of the millitary types and what they will do. I don’t think they are in McCain’s pocket just because he was once a POW. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169/4 "2008-09-05T14:17:15Z")
How many ex-military know McCain and dislike him? He doesn’t seem to have ever been a particularly likeable fellow and it’s my impression he was worse back when he was on active duty. ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169/5 "2008-09-05T14:19:48Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Well there may be a whole bunch of moderate Republicans who have been on the fence who may finally swing because of the Palin selection. If some of the big names fall over the next week or so it may very well help influence the outcome. > > Besides Powell (and I do think he’ll drop for Obama soon) who else may Palin and the hard swing to the Right she evinces cause to come out for Obama-Biden? And how much effect will they have? Powell is the only big name influential Republican who has shown even a hint of breaking from the party and endorsing Obama. I don’t actually expect him to do it, either. He still has a political future with the Republicans, if he chooses. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169/6 "2008-09-05T14:29:51Z")
> [@Mosier](#): > > Powell is the only big name influential Republican who has shown even a hint of breaking from the party and endorsing Obama. I don’t actually expect him to do it, either. He still has a political future with the Republicans, if he chooses. Or a future with the Democrats if he goes Obama. Powell is at the point where he can enter elder statesman status, and that’s where he should go. ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169/7 "2008-09-05T14:32:46Z")
> [@Mosier](#): > > Powell is the only big name influential Republican who has shown even a hint of breaking from the party and endorsing Obama. I don’t actually expect him to do it, either. He still has a political future with the Republicans, if he chooses. Powell has never shown any interest in pursuing a political position. What makes you think that would be a factor for him? ---
**Author:** ![Sinaijon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169/8 "2008-09-05T14:56:42Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > How many ex-military know McCain and dislike him? He doesn’t seem to have ever been a particularly likeable fellow and it’s my impression he was worse back when he was on active duty. > **[Early life and military career of John McCain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_life_and_military_career_of_John_McCain)** > > The early life and military career of John Sidney McCain III spans the first forty-five years of his life (1936–1981). McCain's father and grandfather were admirals in the United States Navy. McCain was born on August 29, 1936, in the Panama Canal Zone, and attended many schools growing up as his family moved among naval facilities. McCain graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1958. He married the former Carol Shepp in 1965; he adopted two children from her previous marriage and th... Based on the sections about being a commanding officer and senate liaison, it seems that your impression is incorrect. ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169/9 "2008-09-05T15:06:41Z")
From the article: > [@](#): > > Another source close to Powell, who, like McCain, served in the military, said he has known the presumptive Republican nominee for more than three decades “and likes him and is looking for a reason to vote for him. He hasn’t found it yet.” Ouch. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169/10 "2008-09-05T15:08:09Z")
> [@C3](#): > > Powell has never shown any interest in pursuing a political position. What makes you think that would be a factor for him? Actually, I think Powell is disgusted with how the GOP treated him and basically sent him out as a lamb to the wolves. He does not want a political position, but he may want to support who he thinks will carry the best message for the nation. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169/11 "2008-09-05T15:11:47Z")
Powell might vote for Obama, but he’ll never go public with it. He’s really loyal, and too classy. ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169/12 "2008-09-05T15:14:03Z")
> [@Phlosphr](#): > > Actually, I think Powell is disgusted with how the GOP treated him and basically sent him out as a lamb to the wolves. He does not want a political position, but he may want to support who he thinks will carry the best message for the nation. I totally agree with you, but it seems like **Mosier** was trying to argue that Powell would not endorse Obama because he doesn’t want to ruin his chances for a political position with the Republican party. I’m just trying to say that I don’t think that would be a factor at all, since he’s never shown any interest in that. I think he has much more motivation to endorse Obama than not. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169/13 "2008-09-05T15:19:37Z")
> [@bup](#): > > Powell might vote for Obama, but he’ll never go public with it. He’s really loyal, and too classy. Wow. I’m really curious why it would be low class to publicly stand up and declare your party’s opponent to be the better choice to run the nation, after you were used as a pawn by them to create the biggest disaster this nation has faced in the last 50 years. ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169/14 "2008-09-05T15:25:44Z")
> [@C3](#): > > I totally agree with you, but it seems like **Mosier** was trying to argue that Powell would not endorse Obama because he doesn’t want to ruin his chances for a political position with the Republican party. I’m just trying to say that I don’t think that would be a factor at all, since he’s never shown any interest in that. I think he has much more motivation to endorse Obama than not. I can’t imagine what that motivation would be. There’s nothing to suggest that Powell buys into the Bush = McCain argument, and I think that statements about Powell’s bitterness over being used and abused are exaggerated anyway. So far he has played it cool, without endorsing anyone, and I don’t imagine that he would change that position before the election. Why would he want to get mixed up in this? ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169/15 "2008-09-05T15:31:52Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > Wow. I’m really curious why it would be low class to publicly stand up and declare your party’s opponent to be the better choice to run the nation, after you were used as a pawn by them to create the biggest disaster this nation has faced in the last 50 years. I don’t want to sound too aggressive here, because I’m honestly not interested in a pitting, but I’m not surprised that you don’t understand why it would be out of character for him to get publicly and vocally passionate about anything. It’s the opposite of your character during this election. I wouldn’t have used the term “low class” though. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the excitement and passion you show for Obama, but not everyone is as willing to wade into the fray and start swinging. Powell will almost certainly not allow himself to be used as a weapon by either candidate, and will privately make his own decision on who to vote for. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169/16 "2008-09-05T15:38:56Z")
> [@Mosier](#): > > I can’t imagine what that motivation would be. There’s nothing to suggest that Powell buys into the Bush = McCain argument, and I think that statements about Powell’s bitterness over being used and abused are exaggerated anyway. So far he has played it cool, without endorsing anyone, and I don’t imagine that he would change that position before the election. Why would he want to get mixed up in this? He may not want to get mixed up in this, but he may have a desire for some atonement. And that _could_ come from backing the democratic candidate. I think that endorsement could fire up quite a few fence sitters and further clarify that people are done with the GOP Bush years and are ready for a change. He doesn’t want and won’t take a position in the Obama administration, but he may have a deep seeded interest in getting him elected that may have nothing to do at all with politics. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169/17 "2008-09-05T15:47:45Z")
> [@Mosier](#): > > I don’t want to sound too aggressive here, because I’m honestly not interested in a pitting, but I’m not surprised that you don’t understand why it would be out of character for him to get publicly and vocally passionate about anything. It’s the opposite of your character during this election. Nice personal dig there! Way to go! > [@Mosier](#): > > I wouldn’t have used the term “low class” though. Well gosh, first you insult me and then you _agree_ with me? ::scratches head:: > [@Mosier](#): > > I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the excitement and passion you show for Obama, but not everyone is as willing to wade into the fray and start swinging. Powell will almost certainly not allow himself to be used as a weapon by either candidate, and will privately make his own decision on who to vote for. Where do you get the idea that his endorsement is being sought, let alone that it would be used as any kind of weapon? I imagine Colin Powell is a Big Boy and can decide on his own whether he thinks it’s important enough that he lend his voice to this election – _regardless_ of which candidate he might choose to endorse, _if_ he does. I just wondered why it would be “low class” for him to endorse Obama. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169/18 "2008-09-05T15:50:34Z")
I’ll be very surprised if Powell endorses Obama. He may vote for him, but I think he’d just as soon stay out of the fray, and I doubt he’s interested in a political career for himself at this point (if he ever was). ---
**Author:** ![Mosier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ea924/32.png) [@Mosier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mosier)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169/19 "2008-09-05T15:50:39Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > Nice personal dig there! Way to go! Well gosh, first you insult me and then you _agree_ with me? I was trying to be delicate. Some people think being “vocally and publicly passionate” about stuff is low class. I wasn’t trying to insult you, because I DON’T think it’s low class. Either way, it’s out of character for Powell. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2008, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169/20 "2008-09-05T15:51:51Z")
I’m with **Shayna** here, and surprisingly will quote McCain for the justification: > [@](#): > > Nation before Party. If Powell honestly believes that the nation’s best interests are served more by Obama-Biden than by McCain-Palin then the classy thing to do is to say so. Loyalty to party over the best interests of the nation is not class. Why would you think it is? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-on-vp-choice-and-will-his-endorsement-go-ultimately-to-obama/462169.md?page=2)