Powell for Kerry's VP? An interesting take from Clarence Page

Clarence Page
A surprise running mate for Kerry: Calling Colin Powell


Published April 28, 2004

WASHINGTON -- Who will be Sen. John Kerry's running mate? Speculation runs rampant these days. I have a suggestion: Colin Powell.

Yes, I know Powell is a Republican. But judging by Kerry's buddy-buddy relationship with Sen. John McCain, the Arizona Republican, Kerry seems like an equal-opportunity employer.
-snip-

Of course, Powell as Kerry's running mate would require the cooperation of Colin Powell. And he might go for it, provided Kerry makes a simple offer: In a Kerry administration, Powell would be able to do what he wanted to do under Bush. "Think of it, Colin," Kerry could say. "This time you can actually be consulted and get your agenda done without Cheney or Rumsfeld or any of the rest of their unilateralist cronies getting in your way."
-snip-

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-0404280115apr28,1,7535422.column?coll=chi-homepagenews2-utl

ON EDIT: We are a sad bunch of hens. I have just read some of the replies to this post and people are outraged, outraged I tell you just because Page had the nerve to layout an interesting yet unrealistic scenerio. I am not sure if some people get that this written more as a slam on Bush than a serious suggestion that Kerry consider Powell. I love the DU!

Powell is a Republican. He works for the other side. Why are the media so ignorant?

I'd take anybody from DU on the ticket ahead of Colon Bowel.

Not now not ever.

The man compromised his integrity and lied to the world. Time to repudiate the mendacity, not reward it.

by all those powerful people he sucks up to daily.

Get a grip, Clarence.

First McCain, then Powell? It's ridiculous.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/politics/8519685.htm?1c

I don't get it either. A Kerry/republican ticket would be just as repulsive to me as a Bush/democrat ticket.

Let's get a sycophantic, amoral war-monger who sold whatever tiny shred of morality he might have once posessed to the devil for a waterboy's job with the BFEE to run with Kerry! That'll show those independent swing-voter soccer moms just how tough we are on terra!

:eyes:

But if he did, I can see some real problems. Powell would have been powerful four years ago. Not any more.

Kerry is being charged with flip-flopping now, which makes it difficult to run with someone who just changed parties, and arguably flip-flopped on his whole political identity.

Changing parties would also make Powell a leper among Republicans. I don't think he would pull any more crossover votes than Zell Miller would if he were Bush's VP. And it would make him look like an opportunist even to independents.

Also, all the accusations that Democrats have hurled at Powell the last few years would immediately return with full force. Doesn't matter if seems hypocritical -- it will happen. All the opposition research has been done and is lying around in the open.

The VP also needs to be an effective attack dog. That's not Powell's strength, but even if it were, he would be criticizing people and positions he supported until recently. More flip-flopping. Not an effective strategy.

own "mistakes".

Ditto if he chose McCain.

it's stupid.

Starting with his UN appearance, Powell proved himself to be a liar. Kerry should try to restore honor and integrity to the White House, not hire BFEE criminal accomplices.

especially one named Clark.

I mentioned that idea to my brother-in-law, a progressive republican who believes that this administration poses the greatest threat to democracy and world peace ever. We discussed the pros and cons. While I would disagree with anyone who says there are no potential advantages, it is certainly true that there are many, many more negatives. When it comes to questions of character, Uncle Colin has damaged himself beyond repair.

tons of Republican senators and governors we could choose from! What an excellent idea!

Jesus Christ, when are these idiots going to realize that John Kerry will select a Democrat (that spelled D-e-m-o-c-r-a-t) as his running mate. There hasn't been a a unity party ticket since 1864 when Abe Lincoln picked Andrew Johnson. That was during the Civil War.

There's no reason to pick a Republican, there's no benefit in picking a Republican, and there's no chance of a Republican being selected.

Why is that so hard to understand?

not to mention that he is in the wrong party and a puppet front for the neocon adgenda.

Lots of good, decent, qualified Dems to pick from... No, the neocons do not get to place a mole in the Kerry Administration.

cptime@aol.com

Dear Mr. Page:

Sorry but, Colin had his opportunity to serve his country and instead went to the UN and made a laughing stock out of all of us. Powell is dishonest and cowardly. He puts Bush and the Republicans over country. Powell as a Democratic VP? Don't make me spew.

. . .I am not sure if Page was serious.

While I prefer General Clark, Bill Richardson or Max Cleland for VP, to be honest, while Powell's credibility has been damaged outside the United States and with most Democrats, he is still fairly well respected by moderates in this country. I am not promoting Powell, but I think people here are a bit blind to what the average person out there thinks – they might see Powell going to the UN as him boldly sacrificing himself for his lying commander in chief.

And, I know Bill Maher is well liked on DU, but the self-proclaimed libertarian Maher said a month or so back on Larry King that he thought Colin Powell would be the best president out of anybody in America....

We know that Powell would be a "golden opportunity." Still, Powell is not worthy of being validated as credible in view of his behavior. Kerry would be as bad as Powell, bush and Cheney if he were to overlook Powell's character flaws and select because of political expediency.

The complete story isn't available without registration. We had to go by what you quoted from the story. Perhaps us "hens" might have picked up on the sarcasm if you had posted a few more paragraphs.

. . .that I provided, spoke to Page's sarcasm.

as someone worthy of consideration. Sure Powell is respected with moderates... Who cares!!! That man is a liar who cares more about bush than the rest of us. F*uck him.

I think we agree to disagree about where Page was coming from.

:kick:

and not very helpful.. :D :hi:

I guess mebbe repubicans *are* right - democrats are scared wusses..... apparently we're such wusses that we feel like we need a republican on the ticket in order to win.....

HELLO? Are there ANY democrats who are fearless enough to stand up for the principles they believe in, and not make deals with the devil in a gollum-like attempt to winsbackourPRECIOUS?

sheesh - damn no spine lack of integrity pussies.....

cptime@aol.com

ahhhhh..... i always feel better after a brief morning rant....

No, no, and no. Powell may be less of a psycho than Cheney Chickenhawk and Donald the Brave, but a psycho is still a psycho.

I have to admit, however, it IS an interesting take. If I wasn't so convinced of Powell's corruptness...

:kick: