# Colin Powell resigns **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 15, 2004, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855 "2004-11-15T14:36:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855/1 "2004-11-15T14:36:29Z")
The secretary of state just announced his resignation. I’m surprised he stayed on so long, actually. Anyone have any ideas about what he’ll do next? ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855/2 "2004-11-15T14:41:57Z")
Probably teach or hit the rubber chicken circuit as a speaker. I’m floored. Really. Robin ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855/3 "2004-11-15T14:42:06Z")
He should have plenty of opportunities – I’m guessing he may go for an academic job, rather than [delete Republican-bashing rant] going into the private sector. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855/4 "2004-11-15T14:44:21Z")
I was talking with a friend about Colin Powell the other day. Before Bush’s War, he was against it. He urged caution, and wanted to work with our allies. Then it looked as if he was ‘taken to the woodshed’. Disappeared for a while. When he came back, he seemed to support the President’s policies. I think he should have not backed down, and should have resigned before the war. To me, this would have been a display of his moral fortitude. But he said that he thought he could be a moderating influence if he stayed ‘inside’. I believe he believed that, but IMO that strategy seldom works. My friend, who was a Black Hawk helicopter pilot in the Gulf War, disagreed. She said that as a former military man, he was obligated to uphold the policies of his Commander-in-Chief regardless of his personal feelings. Whatever he does next, I wish him well. I think he made the wrong decision a year and a half ago, but I think he is an honourable man. ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_Factotum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855/5 "2004-11-15T14:45:59Z")
Either President of the Wolrd Bank, or he’ll start his own branch of the Republican Party to challenge whoever Bush’s successor will be. So does anyone think the last straw was not being sent to Arafat’s funeral? ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855/6 "2004-11-15T14:49:29Z")
No, I think it’s been planned for months. But the administration wants to time these resignations to minimize the impact. Note that Ashcroft’s letter of resignation was dated 11/3 but not announced until last week. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855/7 "2004-11-15T14:53:17Z")
Oh, I hope he writes a tell-all book. We’ve not had a good one out for a few weeks now. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855/8 "2004-11-15T15:01:58Z")
> [@Sean Factotum](#): > > …or he’ll start his own branch of the Republican Party to challenge whoever Bush’s successor will be. My goodness, would I ever **love** that! I think Powell _is_ an honorable man, and I don’t think he wanted to go to bat for the administration on Iraq and Afghanistan, but did so because it’s his job. > [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > I think he should have not backed down, and should have resigned before the war. To me, this would have been a display of his moral fortitude. I’m a debt collector for a company that collects on overdrawn Bank of America accounts, and sometimes I have to tell a 77-year-old woman with throat cancer that her disability check will be garnished if she doesn’t clean up her account. I hate Bank of America with a passion, and I think they’re crooks, but I do it because it’s my job. And, let’s face it, the Dems need to shake up their own house before they have a chance of standing up to the pubbies again. An opposition Republican party that does not support the Neo-Con philosophy might be just what the doctor ordered. Adam ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855/9 "2004-11-15T15:05:14Z")
Oh, and might I add, anyone have any thoughts as to why the slew of resignations? IMHO, I think that the insiders see how bad things really are in the White House, and either feel morally obligated to cease taking part in it, or they don’t want their good name sullied by the administration’s nefarious activities. Adam ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855/10 "2004-11-15T15:07:43Z")
> [@Agent Foxtrot](#): > > Oh, and might I add, anyone have any thoughts as to why the slew of resignations? IMHO, I think that the insiders see how bad things really are in the White House, and either feel morally obligated to cease taking part in it, or they don’t want their good name sullied by the administration’s nefarious activities. > > Adam Nothing so high-minded – it’s very usual for the cabinet to turn over massively at the beginning of a president’s second term. Check out what happened in '96-'97 at the start of Clinton’s second term. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855/11 "2004-11-15T15:11:24Z")
I suppose Rice may be the new Sec. of State. Damn you red states! ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855/12 "2004-11-15T15:27:00Z")
There are always some high level resignations after a re-election. Now if the VP resigned, or if Laura wanted out, that would be a big deal. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855/13 "2004-11-15T15:40:40Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > Nothing so high-minded – it’s very usual for the cabinet to turn over massively at the beginning of a president’s second term. Check out what happened in '96-'97 at the start of Clinton’s second term. But you see, the resignations didn’t start after the election. George Tenet, Paul O’Neill…these guys got out way before. I don’t have time to research right now, but I can cite more. Adam ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855/14 "2004-11-15T15:52:42Z")
> [@Agent Foxtrot](#): > > But you see, the resignations didn’t start after the election. George Tenet, Paul O’Neill…these guys got out way before. I don’t have time to research right now, but I can cite more. > > Adam Two more key ones would be Christine Whitman (EPA) and John D’Iulio (Faith Based Initiatives). This website, [keeps a body count of administration resignations](http://www.missouri.edu/~quinnl/news/bodies.html). FWIW, John Danforth and Condi are being named by NPR as likely replacements. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855/15 "2004-11-15T15:58:06Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > This website, [keeps a body count of administration resignations](http://www.missouri.edu/~quinnl/news/bodies.html). Ohhh, this is juicy stuff! Thanks, **ShibbOleth**! 🙂 Adam ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_Factotum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855/16 "2004-11-15T16:24:55Z")
> [@Captain Lance Murdoch](#): > > I suppose Rice may be the new Sec. of State. Last week when her name was being bandied about for possible promotion, the opinion (probably on NPR, 'cause that’s about the only place I hear such things anymore) Rice was discounted because she doesn’t like the ceremonial stuff, and SoS is full of going places and being a diplomat. So I’d probably bet on Danforth getting the nod. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855/17 "2004-11-15T18:24:03Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > My friend, who was a Black Hawk helicopter pilot in the Gulf War, disagreed. She said that as a former military man, he was obligated to uphold the policies of his Commander-in-Chief regardless of his personal feelings. > > Whatever he does next, I wish him well. I think he made the wrong decision a year and a half ago, but I think he is an honourable man. True, but unlike a military man he had the option of resigning after being made a fool in front of the UN. I used to have great respect for him, and would have voted for him in a second, but not anymore. If only he had run for President in 2000. Powell has been mentioned as the source of Woodward’s latest book. Now that he is out, things should get very interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2004, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855/18 "2004-11-15T22:40:14Z")
> [@Barbarian](#): > > Anyone have any ideas about what he’ll do next? Disappear and spend the rest of his life praying silently for forgiveness? ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855/19 "2004-11-16T02:46:45Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > I was talking with a friend about Colin Powell the other day. Before Bush’s War, he was against it. He urged caution, and wanted to work with our allies. Then it looked as if he was ‘taken to the woodshed’. Disappeared for a while. When he came back, he seemed to support the President’s policies. I think he should have not backed down, and should have resigned before the war. To me, this would have been a display of his moral fortitude. But he said that he thought he could be a moderating influence if he stayed ‘inside’. I believe he believed that, but IMO that strategy seldom works. > > My friend, who was a Black Hawk helicopter pilot in the Gulf War, disagreed. She said that as a former military man, he was obligated to uphold the policies of his Commander-in-Chief regardless of his personal feelings. > > . Well it is his job to offer his opinion to the President but he has to do that in private and then present to the public the administrations policies. But just because he was in the military at one time, does not mean he has to follow the Commander in Chief’s orders forever. He could have quit over invading Iraq if he felt strongly enough about it. ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855/20 "2004-11-16T02:52:38Z")
> [@Agent Foxtrot](#): > > Oh, and might I add, anyone have any thoughts as to why the slew of resignations? IMHO, I think that the insiders see how bad things really are in the White House, and either feel morally obligated to cease taking part in it, or they don’t want their good name sullied by the administration’s nefarious activities. > > Adam I think they didn’t expect Bush to get re-elected, and already had other jobs lined up. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colin-powell-resigns/274855.md?page=2)