Kristol: Colin Powell to Endorse Barack Obama
by FOXNews.com
Wednesday, August 13, 2008

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Former Secretary of State Colin Powell (AP Photo).


Sources say former Secretary of State Colin Powell will endorse Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention, Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol told FOX News exclusively on Wednesday.

“He may well give a speech at the Democratic convention explaining his endorsement of Obama,” Kristol, a FOX News contributor, said, citing inside sources.

“This is not an absolute done deal, but these people are very confident that Powell will endorse Obama,” Kristol said, adding that he thinks Powell, a Republican, still has “a high respect” for John McCain, Obama’s Republican rival.

Powell immediately denied the report.

“I do not have time to waste on Bill Kristol’s musings,” Powell told ABC News. “I am not going to the convention. I have made this clear.”

Roll Call executive editor Mort Kondracke, also a FOX News contributor, said he personally has spoken with Powell, who denied the report and said he has made no endorsement decisions, according to Kondracke.

An endorsement by Powell could go a long way to attracting moderates and wayward Republicans to the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate.

Over the years, Powell himself has been touted as a potential presidential or vice presidential candidate. The former national security adviser served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. He was secretary of state for the younger President Bush.

His tenure is most notable for presenting to the U.N. Security Council evidence that Iraq was pursuing weapons of mass destruction. His presentation led to a resolution endorsing military action against that country, but he later described it as a “blot” on his record.

Powell has unofficially advised Obama and Republican candidate John McCain but had not endorsed anyone. A spokesman said in July that he was undecided.

In April, Powell praised Obama’s response to controversial remarks by his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who had said the United States brought the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on itself by supporting terrorism and that the government created the AIDS virus to “destroy people of color.”

“I thought that Senator Obama handled the issue well,” said Powell, the nation’s first black secretary of state. “He didn’t abandon the minister that brought him closer to his faith, but at the same time he deplored the kinds of statements that the Reverend Wright had made.”

Obama later turned his back on Wright after the minister courted controversy again with additional comments in public.

Kristol said sources told him Powell will “quite possibly” speak at the Democratic convention on the same night as Obama’s vice-presidential selection and former President Bill Clinton.

“The Obama people are quietly trying to line up a pretty strong convention,” Kristol said. “I think the Obama campaign shouldn’t be underestimated. Obviously anyone would like to have Powell’s endorsement.”

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/08/13/kr...e-barack-obama/

Powell denies report he's headed to Denver
Email|Link|Comments (0) Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor August 13, 2008 07:03 PM
Almost as quickly as the Colin Powell-for-Barack Obama balloon floated, Powell himself knocked it down.

Though the former Secretary of State has carefully guarded his choice this presidential election, he emphatically denied speculation today that he would attend the Democratic National Convention.

That buzz grew louder when commentator Bill Kristol said on Fox News Channel today that he had heard from "people who talk directly to the Obama campaign that Colin Powell will endorse Senator Obama and he may well give a speech at the Democratic National Convention explaining his endorsement of Obama.”

“People are very confident that Powell will endorse Obama, and they think it may well be the case that Powell will speak on Wednesday at the Democratic convention," Kristol continued. "That’s the national security night, that’s also the night the Vice Presidential nominee will speak. Obviously served the first term in the Bush administration; I don’t think that was a happy experience honestly for Secretary Powell and for whatever reason, I think he has decided that he is going to endorse Obama.”

But Powell, who later split from Bush over the Iraq war, told ABC News he has no plans to go to Denver: "I do not have time to waste on Bill Kristol's musings. I am not going to the convention. I have made this clear."

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politi...l_denies_r.html

Interesting non-denial denial.

Well, he did state that he is not going to the convention...maybe he will be video conferenced in...

He does not have to go to Denver to endorse Obama, or even endorse him at the same time as the convention.

YES POWELL WILL ENDORSE OBAMA

NO POWELL WILL NOT ENDORSE OBAMA

Graham, what a tame response.

I guess you are showing your independence!!!

I would have expected somethnig like -- we don't need this SOB's endorsement --- he is part of the Bush-Clinton cabal which has poisoned this nation etc.

He is an enabler of GWB...etcetera

I think that Graham does not believe that Powell is with "them" for some reason. (I could be wrong.)

Powell almost certainly will endorse Obama (McCain sealed it in the past week), but probably well after the convention. He got burned by his loyalty to Cheney (sold his honor for it) and knows first hand what it's like for the administration to be in the pocket of Azerbaijan, he won't want to see a repeat with Georgia.

As long as Powell doesn't say something negative about Obama, I really don't see this as a very important issue.What am I missing?

I wonder if Powell's endorsement will offset the negative effects of Fidel Castro's endorsement of Obama?

Well, I llook forward to it.

I always lost respect for Powell for his endorsement of the Iraq war and his presentation before the UN. I know he was the one Bush official that was essential to make that case and the one who could have stopped the Iraq war. I never understood how if his own intelligence contradicated the CIA stuff, that he could go along with it. I know he regrets doing it and certainly would not do it if he had to again, but he has not said that going into Iraq was wrong yet that I can tell.

I would shudder to think what dubious foreigners are endorsing McCain! (Actually, I see someone here who might actually enlighten us on that.)

If Al Qaeda is smart they will promote his candidacy, but not let on, so they can have another recruiter for them in the White House.

He'd already sold his soul, they had him on a felony after they got him to lie about the beginning of the conflict in his senate testimony to suspend 907 so they could arm Azerbaijan.

I think the neo-cons Kristol put this out, it was classic Jolly Ollie MISINFORMATION to make it look worse for Obama if it don't happen

Powell is the reason people should not have something they can be threatened with or blackmailed with.
It is the reason why John Edwards' situation matters so much

Because look what happened to Col...he screwed us because they had it sticking in his back

shame of it all.

When you work for the family there is no escape.

Misha already has, gee, the puppet might get a puppet!

Some of the stuff I've read on this issue sounds like reverse race discrimination, likePowell, being an accomplished Black man, would be making a negative statement about Obama, if he didn't publically endorse him.

Marine , get your facts straight. RR talking points only work when no one calls them on it. Where's your sense of integrity ?

My questions for Obama

The brightest and best of the presidential hopefuls seeks to extend a cruel, immoral Cuba blockade

Fidel Castro The Guardian, Thursday May 29 2008

It would be dishonest of me to remain silent after hearing Barack Obama's speech delivered at the Cuban American National Foundation last Friday. I feel no resentment towards him, for he is not responsible for the crimes perpetrated against Cuba and humanity. Were I to defend him, I would do his adversaries a favour. I have therefore no reservations about criticising him and expressing myself frankly.

What were Obama's statements? "Throughout my entire life, there has been injustice and repression in Cuba. Never, in my lifetime, have the people of Cuba known freedom. Never, in the lives of two generations of Cubans, have the people of Cuba known democracy ... I won't stand for this injustice ... I will maintain the embargo."

This man who is doubtless, from the social and human points of view, the most progressive candidate for the US presidency, portrays the Cuban revolution as anti-democratic and lacking in respect for freedom and human rights. It is the same argument US administrations have used again and again to justify crimes against our country. The blockade is an act of genocide. I don't want to see US children inculcated with those shameful values.

No small and blockaded country like ours would have been able to hold its ground for so long on the basis of ambition, vanity, deceit or the abuse of power, the kind of power its neighbour has. To state otherwise is an insult to the intelligence of our heroic people.

I am not questioning Obama's great intelligence, his debating skills or his work ethic. He is a talented orator and is ahead of his rivals in the electoral race. Nevertheless, I am obliged to raise a number of delicate questions. I do not expect answers; I wish only to raise them for the record.

Is it right for the president of the US to order the assassination of any one person in the world, whatever the pretext? Is it ethical for the president of the US to order the torture of other human beings? Should state terrorism be used by a country as powerful as the US as an instrument to bring peace to the planet?

Is an Adjustment Act, applied as punishment to only one country, Cuba, in order to destabilise it, good and honourable when it costs innocent children and mothers their lives? Are the brain drain and the continuous theft of the best scientific and intellectual minds in poor countries moral and justifiable?

Is it fair to stage pre-emptive attacks? Is it honourable and sane to invest millions and millions of dollars in the military-industrial complex, to produce weapons that can destroy life on earth several times over? Is that the way in which the US expresses its respect for freedom, democracy and human rights?

Before judging our country, Obama should know that Cuba - with its education, health, sports, culture and science programmes, implemented not only in its own territory but also in other poor countries around the world, and in spite of the economic and financial blockade and the aggression of his powerful country - is proof that much can be done with very little. Cuba has never subordinated cooperation with other countries to ideological requirements. We offered the US our help when hurricane Katrina lashed the city of New Orleans. Our revolution can mobilise tens of thousands of doctors and health technicians. It can mobilise an equally vast number of teachers and citizens who are willing to travel to any corner of the world to fulfil any noble purpose, not to usurp rights or take possession of raw materials.

The goodwill and determination of people constitute limitless resources that would not fit in the vault of a bank. They cannot spring from the hypocritical politics of an empire.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/20...arackobama.cuba

Castro Weighs In on Obama
By The New York Times

Fidel Castro stepped aside as president of Cuba in February and has not been seen much since undergoing surgery in July 2006, but he is still very much a presence in the island nation he has turned over to his brother Raúl.

He also is full of opinions, and on Monday he gave Senator Barack Obama an endorsement of sorts, calling him “the most progressive candidate to the U.S. presidency” while also berating him for his plan to continue the trade embargo against Cuba. “Were I to defend him, I would do his adversaries an enormous favor,” Mr. Castro said. “I have therefore no reservations about criticizing him.”

Mr. Castro, 81, was reacting to Mr. Obama’s pledge last week to the Cuban American National Foundation in Miami to maintain the trade sanctions against Cuba as leverage to press for democratic change there. But Mr. Obama also promised to ease restrictions on travel to the island and sending money to relatives there.

“Presidential candidate Obama’s speech may be formulated as follows: hunger for the nation, remittances as charitable handouts and visits to Cuba as propaganda for consumerism and the unsustainable way of life behind it,” Mr. Castro wrote in a column for Cuban newspapers, which was translated to English for a newspaper Web site, Granma Internacional.

“I am not questioning Obama’s great intelligence, his debating skills or his work ethic,” Mr. Castro wrote.

But, he added, “I am obliged to raise a number of delicate questions.”

The Obama campaign declined to comment.

Update: The headline was altered to avoid the misinterpretation that Mr. Castro’s remarks represented a formal endorsement.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05...ng-endorsement/

It is a possibility.
However, much like rla has mentioned, as long as Powell does not say anything negative about Obama, this does not affect much. He would just be another plume on Obama's hat.

Now on to the Jolie endorsement. Now that is an endorsement both candidates are pursuing!

I haven't seen that yet myself. Can you provide an example or two?

Having a such a prominent former member of the Bush Administration endorse Obama would certainly be regarded as something of a coup, but I don't think many people really think that if Obama does not get every prominent Black to endorse him then there is something wrong.

Dubious foreign characters like the Ahmed Yousef, chief political adviser to the terrorist group known as Hamas?

Let's see what kind a endorsement he gave McCain: "We like Mr. Obama and we hope he will win the election." Why? "He has a vision to change America."............................opps!


Barack Obama says he understood why a top Hamas adviser voiced support for his presidential bid.

See Tomyhe's last post.



What kind of "opps" is this anyway, disinformation "opps"? Not that I am challenging your quote, just pointing out that foreign thugs have all kinds of preferences for our elections. And by providing another example of a thug supporting Obama you don't contradict that, do you? Nor my own speculation about Al Qaeda.



I'd like to see an exact quote here so I can judge this for myself. Pending that I will take it as seriously as I do Graham's claim that Hillary was threatening to reveal some kind of scandal, meaning that she is behind the Edwards scandal.

Did Hamas endorse Barack Obama?
A: A top adviser to the militant group has spoken favorably about Obama's candidacy.
John McCain's campaign has made much of the kind words an adviser to Hamas had for Barack Obama, calling the comments an "endorsement" of the candidate. (The State Department classifies the Palestinian militant group as a terrorist organization.) A fundraising letter sent to supporters on April 18, for instance, reads in part: "Barack Obama's foreign policy plans have even won him praise from Hamas leaders. ... We need change in America, but not the kind of change that wins kind words from Hamas." In a phone call with conservative bloggers, McCain added, "I think it is very clear who Hamas wants to be the next president of the United States. ... If Senator Obama is favored by Hamas, I think people can make judgments accordingly," according to several news reports.

This might give you a touch of deja vu: Obama's campaign has been dogged by baseless smears about his being a radical Muslim with ties to terrorist organizations, and these have turned out to be fabrications. This time, though, McCain is correct: Ahmed Yousef, Hamas' chief political adviser, has in fact spoken highly of Obama and expressed hope that he will win the election.

In an April 2008 interview with WABC Radio in New York, Yousef was asked whether he thought the Palestinian prime minister would be willing to meet with Obama and Clinton before the election. He responded:

Yousef: We don't mind. Actually, we like Mr. Obama, and we hope he will [inaudible] the election. I do believe he is like John Kennedy, a great man with great principles, and he has a vision to change America, to make it in a position to lead the world community, but not with domination and arrogance.

(Yousef is often quoted as saying "we hope he will win the election," but this part of the audio is garbled. "We hope he will win" is a reasonable interpretation.)

Whether this constitutes a political endorsement is debatable, as Yousef is in no position to vote for Obama himself, nor did he recommend that others vote for him. And endorsements are usually sought-after and greatly publicized, whereas Obama has in no way welcomed Yousef's supposed endorsement.

Also, saying that Hamas supports Obama is not saying that Obama supports Hamas, or that he would acquiesce to the group's demands as president. Indeed, Obama has explicitly condemned Hamas. When former president Jimmy Carter met with Hamas leaders in April, Obama criticized his decision, saying that "we must not negotiate with a terrorist group intent on Israel's destruction." And both Obama and McCain were among 90 cosponsors of the 2006 Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act, which would make it U.S. policy to "urge members of the international community to avoid contact with and refrain from financially supporting the terrorist organization Hamas until it agrees to recognize Israel, renounce violence, disarm and accept prior agreements." Obama has said many times that he would not meet or negotiate with Hamas as president, and he has criticized McCain for implying otherwise. "To engage in that kind of smear," he told CNN in a May 8 interview, "is unfortunate, particularly since my policy toward Hamas has been no different than his."

-Jess Henig
Update, June 6: Hamas has reversed its position on Obama, following a speech that the candidate gave to the American Israel Public Affairs Council. Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuri said that "we consider the statements of Obama to be further evidence of the hostility of the American administration to Arabs and Muslims," and that the speech "destroys any hope for change in American policies toward the Arab-Israeli conflict".
http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/did_...rack_obama.html

Yeah, I bet they reversed their position when they figured out their endorsement was the kiss of death for the Obama campaign.

BTW Marine, what is David Duke's position on Obama, what should that mean to us, and why?

Can you answer those questions?

Will you avoid them?

Will you pretend to answer them and avoid them?

Guess you missed this part in the Fact Check post above.Is it too much to ask Marine that you stop insulting the intelligence of everyone here ?

Try posting fact instead of rumour and innuendo.


Also, saying that Hamas supports Obama is not saying that Obama supports Hamas, or that he would acquiesce to the group's demands as president. Indeed, Obama has explicitly condemned Hamas. When former president Jimmy Carter met with Hamas leaders in April, Obama criticized his decision, saying that "we must not negotiate with a terrorist group intent on Israel's destruction." And both Obama and McCain were among 90 cosponsors of the 2006 Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act, which would make it U.S. policy to "urge members of the international community to avoid contact with and refrain from financially supporting the terrorist organization Hamas until it agrees to recognize Israel, renounce violence, disarm and accept prior agreements." Obama has said many times that he would not meet or negotiate with Hamas as president, and he has criticized McCain for implying otherwise. "To engage in that kind of smear," he told CNN in a May 8 interview, "is unfortunate, particularly since my policy toward Hamas has been no different than his."

regime change in USA

get the neo-cons out

and that is why the bushclinton's are fighting to the last breathe

THEY ARE THE ONES BEING HUNTED FOR WAR CRIMES COME 2010

Graham, even you cannot make Marine's job here easy.

Oh, you mean the spin someone came up with to cover Obama's ass? Sure, I read it.

You know why Osama Bin Laden wanted John Kerry to win in 2004?

Because he really wanted George W. Bush to win in 2004. A Bush win has resulted in him remaining at large another presidential term. Al Qaeda stronger than ever. With John Kerry his freedom would likely have come to an end with Kerry developing another 40,000 special forces personnel. Looks like BIn Laden chose well for his purposes.

Funny thing about those terrorists. You can't trust them.

How much do you want to bet he endorses Obama this time?

Is it because he wants him to win?

No. He wants him to lose because he knows all of our focus will shift in the coming years to Afghanistan and he'll be on the run again. His vacation via W will be over...

Don't know Arne, when I google Obama and Duke this was all I got:

Move On David Duke, Obama is the New Racist in Town Competing for the White House Now!

Cristi Adkins
Imagine an America that is bowing to tolerance and becoming enlightened through a higher level of consciousness. Visualize a country where younger generations will arise with no hatred, no bias and live free of closed minded prejudices.

Just when you envision this dream of harmony and acceptance on the brink of society, a society ripe for unity ...you are given a golden opportunity to participate in a revolution. The One arrives on the scene like a liberator to the molested.

Yet, the day of reckoning arrived without a whisper of race…in the beginning. Slowly, with pawns in place, little by little the overtures of bigotry, intolerance and discrimination sluggishly swayed the innocent to ‘make the guilty pay.’

It-the hatred and ethnocentrism- sneaks in like a snake on a hot summer day silently awaiting its prey; it slithers in silence waiting to strike the unsuspecting prey. The venom has a paralyzing effect just before the deadly poison can exterminate the mark. Only this snake is slinking its way through the senate seducing super delegates. The young and easily influenced, or those so desperate for a day of reckoning, are spellbound by the master.

Defined best by Betty Jean Kling, The One is the Racist!



Race was not an an issue for me when Obama came on the scene. I remember when he
came sauntering out on the stage at the Democratic convention. Yes, he sauntered
across the stage even then and I thought it was fine - then. I loved his speech
and I remember thinking this man is going to be our president some day. I don’t
remember thinking about his color at all! I didn’t think in those terms - then.
Since January race has become an issue and it was made an issue by those who are
allowed to make it an issue. Blacks! Whites are not allowed to make it an issue!
Anyone white knows that! If You are black you can say the ‘N’ word at will - if
you are white - you had better not even refer to it as the “N” word let alone
spell it out. The media has run the issue of race into the ground and is
determined to ask racists questions which they are allowed to do because every
time a white answers - the blacks can attack the whites for answering! So the
media is a willing pawn for the blacks. Read more http://freemenow.wordpress.com/the-one-is-a-racist/
Even more disturbing is that with media in tow, we pretend that we are a society of acceptance. Some whisper, some talk, most look the other way when true racism raises it's ugly head. When it is so blatant and cannot be denied, what do we do with the 'racist' in today's society? We let freedom ring and let the whole world know that we are NOT going to tolerate those who are intolerable.

The great state of Louisiana denied governorship to David Duke back in the 80's as a toke of humanity....an emblematic move of tolerance in America.

Alas, a challenge like no other. What to do when the racist is the victim, the victim the racist? Whats more, what to do when we've given the racist his stage without a fight?


It all started on January 3, 2008 While Barack and Michelle entered the Iowa
hall, waving and thanking supporters, Jay-Z’s “99 Problems (But A Bitch Ain’t
One)” was pumping out of the loudspeakers. While most of Middle America did
not recognize that hip hop song, the racist pig and his angry racist wife were
clapping and dancing across the stage sending a very loud and clear message to a
subculture that the rest of us could not understand. Have you read the lyrics of
this filthy song? Read the lyrics then you will know why in addition to young
people from colleges who are young and foolish, uneducated poor people who
identify by color only, the easily influenced or easily mesmerized, the
downtrodden, and last but not least the dregs of the earth came out of the
woodwork and registered to vote for the first time in history without knowing
what voting is for! *Listen to the lyrics folks.
Betty Jean Kling
So, what's left to say except 'Move over David Duke, there's a new racist in town named Barack Obama making a play for the White House.'--

CO --- why are you trying to confuse empty rhetoric with the facts...

Marine, you answered my first question.

David Duke, ex-Klansman, who has never quite renounced his old positions on race, does not like Obama.

I'll help you out here. The rest of my questions were what should that mean to us, and why?

Any time.

Correction: Marine, I am sorry. I was inaccurate.

You did not answer my questions at all.

But there is a thread on this forum about it. Graham can help you out on that one.

Jimmy Carter was correct to talk to Hamas. Talk is good. War is bad.

People who want war and are pro-military are some of the baddest people around.

The terrorists are the Bush/Clitnon's...I wouldn't talk to any of them, when they are in solitary confinement for life for war crimes and enabling war crimes.

An endorsement of Obama by Colin Powell at the democratic convention would give the Obama campaign a big lift. It would be huge.


Ya gotta wonder if leaking the story early will cause Powell to change his mind.

Marine, if you need help:

http://blogs.jta.org/politics/2008/04/14/2...ht-were-bitter/

Notice the nice things said about Jews.

Your welcome. It only took me about two or three minutes to find this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rs1iqexYh4

Mac2, I agree with you that it would represent a big lift. However, I do not think its a real story. I think it was Republicans trying to diffuse what indeed could have been a big story.

POwell will endorse Obama, but after the Republican convention I would think.

When the going gets tough, the tough change the subject.

But you can actually reply to my questions any time. If you can handle them, as opposed to avoiding them.

They are relevant in terms of consistency. I noticed no hesitation on your part when it came to some dubious person seeming to support Obama, in talking about it like it should matter to us.

So your hesitation in answering my questions is very interesting to say the least.

Interesting take on this, have you got any reason to believe that it was Repubs behind it.

Also, saying that Hamas supports Obama is not saying that Obama supports Hamas, or that he would acquiesce to the group's demands as president. Indeed, Obama has explicitly Obama has said many times that he would not meet or negotiate with Hamas as president, and he has criticized McCain for implying otherwise. "To engage in that kind of smear," he told CNN in a May 8 interview, "is unfortunate, particularly since my policy toward Hamas has been no different than his."

Changed my mind. Others can read. They'll make their own judgment.

Of course. How can this be disputed?

I needed to state this in case there is any confusion about my own position.

Marine, anytime you want to deal with my questions.

Does the phrase "all hat , no cattle".. ring any bells ?

Yes it does. And all I am seeing right now on why I should care about this Hamas thing is a bunch of big sombreros.

Thanks for the half-pounder Betty. It was might tasty.

What else would he have to post regarding Obama if he left out the rumor and innuendo? That is all he has...

Only that it was arch-conservative Bill Kristol who made the statement which Powell rebutted saying he was talking to "his" sources and that could mean anything.

I don't know Marine I google McCain and racist and get 4.4 million hits and McCain and white supremacist and get 440,000 and McCain and @$$hole and get 908,000 hits so what does that really prove...

Nothing.

We have a winner.

Just like your search of David Duke.

Obama has a 6 to 8 point lead in national polls. I do not think he really needs Powell's words of encouragement. McCain is such a bad candidate he will never get over 45% of the vote.