Why was Colin Powell chosen to be Secretary of State, instead of Secretary of Defense? Surely he has much more experience in the military, so why the State Department?
Secretary of State is a higher profile post, and much more important in terms of interacting with the rest of the world. The Secretary of State is the guy who goes abroad for really, really important missions. Colin Powell is the star of Bush’s administration, so it’s only natural to slot him in the star position.
This is a guy who could have had any job he wanted, up to and including President of the United States. Secretary of State is the job he wanted, so it’s the one he got. Simple, huh?
OMG, we could have had President Powell right now, if only his wife had let him run . . . 
I actually had the pleasure of meeting General Powell 4 years ago. He spoke to a group of high school kids that I was a member of. One of us asked if/when he planned to run for president. He explained to us that he wanted to concentrate on his family life for a while. Seeing how he just retired as the highest ranking military man in the US, I could understand that desire.
The man will run for president. It may not be for 4 or 8 more years, but he will run, he will be the nation’s first black president, and he will do one hell of a job.
. . . if his wife lets him.
[sub](No, I’m not kidding about Mrs. Powell. As I understand it, she may have relatively mild mental health issues, and she more or less laid down the law that Colin was not to run for president or accept the vice presidency. Fear of assassination, IIRC)
Unfortunately, I think Powell’s wife has a point. Whoever the first black President of the US will eventually be, he or she will be at risk from racist whackjobs.
As I understand it, Colin Powell is “more reasonable” than Bush or Gore. Gore strikes me as a Socialist and Bush strikes me as too right-wing*. Powell just seems more practical in his beliefs.
Just impressions of course, but without any other evidence I would vote for Powell for the Presidency.
*[sub]FWIW, I’m pro-choice on the abortion issue, pro-choice re: personal ownership of firearms (i.e., pro-Second Ammendment), and in favour of socialized medicine.[/sub]
Seeing as how WHITE presidents so far have been bumped off about one for ten, I don’t see how that makes Powell any different. I’m afraid the President will always be a target for whackjobs.
True. It’s just that the first non-white Pres will have to deal with all the usual whackjobs plus an undetermined number of specifically racist whackjobs. It’s a dangerous job for anybody, but I unfortunately think it will be even more dangerous for the first person who doesn’t fit the usual mold…
I know that I read somewhere that Powell was not legally allowed to be the Secretary of Defense, because of his military service. I think it has something to do with archaic worries over a military coup, but since I can’t find a link or anything, this post fails to uphold the stringent standards of this board.
In any case, that’s what I heard. If anyone can confirm or deny it, I’ll love you forever. And by forever, I mean three minutes. (If you’re a guy, then our love will have to remain unconsummated.)
AHA! The law is our friend.
Sec. 113. Secretary of Defense
(a) There is a Secretary of Defense, who is the head of the Department of Defense, appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. A person may not be appointed as Secretary of Defense within 10 years after relief from active duty as a commissioned officer of a regular component of an armed force.
And, as I said, I love the person that found it for me. In fact, I’ll probably consummate that relationship after all.
Learn something new every day. Thanks, Trip!
For this reason Powell would be a shoo-in in the general election, but his more centrist views could give him some difficulty winning the Republican nomination. He may have to depend on crossover Democrats and independents, which wasn’t good enough for McCain. Personally, I think this stint as Sec of State will beef up that resume enough that he’ll get it if he runs.
Another option: if Cheney quits after 4 yrs, we may see a Bush-Powell ticket.
Every time I hear Bush being interviewed I think, “How did that twit get to be president?” Every time I hear Powell being interviewed I think, "How come that guy isn’t president?
But although Powell could probably be elected in a general election, he will never be nominated because both parties are controlled by their more extreme elements. He’s way to liberal for the Republicans and too conservative for the Democrats. So his name will never be on the ballot.
“For this reason Powell would be a shoo-in in the general election, but his more centrist views could give him some difficulty winning the Republican nomination.” (dqa)
IMO, he would also be a shoo-in for the Rep. Convention. Didja ever notice that out of about a dozen people of color at the convention, 8 of them are on stage, making speeches? They do love to show they are a party “of the people”, and electing Powell would prove it.
S