Why Powell will endorse Obama

There are many different kinds of Republicans just like there are many kinds of Democrats.

In order to understand Powell you have to understand his motivation and his identity as a Republican.

The Republican that most closely resembles Powell is President Eisenhower.

Before his declaration as a Republican the country was evenly divided whether or not Eisenhower was a Republican or a Democrat. Powell's political leanings were similarly masked.

Eisenhower was not particularly ideological and wasn't particularly in favor of the leading 'neocon' of the day, Nixon (obviously an anachronistic but accurate use of the term). Powell has the same distrust and dislike of the neocons that he battled.

Powell seemed to have shared the same misperception that many Democrats in congress had that the IWR would strengthen the President and his ability to negotiate concessions from Sadam Hussein.

In any case before Eisenhower left office he gave his famous address which spoke of the dangers of the military industrial complex. You cannot understand Eisenhower as President without factoring that address into it and coming to the conclusion that during his years in office that he resisted those elements and grew in frustration with it.

While those of us against the war vary from hatred to disappointment with Powell, a careful reading of his books and the well known 'Powell Doctrine' is a clear indication that Powell does not share the blood lust of those neo-cons who lust for the wars that they personally have never fought in. Powell's books are filled with a dedication to avoid a repeat of the mistakes of Vietnam, that he failed to do so is a failure that, in my opinion, will dominate his public pronouncements. Also as Secretary of State Powell was not a 'hostile' executive who disliked the role of diplomacy, he took pride in working with and improving the morale of the professional diplomatic staff.

Therefore I believe that Powell will give a very nuanced endorsement of Obama that will speak to the role of diplomacy and the leadership strengths that Powell sees in Obama. It will be his golden opportunity to rehabilitate the 'Powell Doctrine' and distance himself from the forces which misused military force which he personally experienced in Vietnam and as Secretary of State. My prediction is that it will parallel President Eisenhower's final statement as President and give him an opportunity to show that his notorious public moments at the UN which helped assist the disaster he privately opposed.

He does not want blood on his hands. He wants the illusion to continue.

of his mind to endorse the entity McCain has become.

...leads me to consider that there's a pretty big chance that this is a trap - Get people talking about and expecting an Obama endorsement and then - bam! - he's all over the news saying that he's done a lot of soul searching etcetera, etcetera but that trusty old John 'Maverick' McCain is the man to lead America through these testing times.

Palin. No matter what, I believe that Powell loves this country and Palin a heart beat away from the Presidency given McShame's health and age motivates him to endorse Obama. In my mind it's not a race thing at all.

First off, it's GENERAL Powell endorsing Barack Obama

Second, Certain talking head pubs will attack Powell in the same way Scotty was attacked, it won't look good.

Third, Some right wing pundits will accuse Powell of endorsing Obama just because "they are both black" ..this also will not go over good.

It's the trifecta.

I think most importantly, he wants to make amends for the lies he was deceived into telling in front of the UN. Powell deeply regrets that he did what he did at the UN that day. He has made no secret of that. That' why he left the Bush "administration". That's why he will endorse Obama.

that Iraq was in no possible way a ''threat'' to the United States.

Even if Saddam had ALL the stuff the Bushies were claiming, Saddam knew that to use it against us or give it to terrorists who did would be guaranteed suicide. There would be no upshot.

We have enough nukes to heat up every square inch of Iraq or any other country to a million degrees, and then have enough left over to do it to every other country a couple of times.

Powell would have to be retarded to believe that the public case had anything to do with invading the country with the world's second largest oil reserves.

Powell was the point man for covering up war crimes, genocide and murder of women and children in Viet Nam.

Powell knowing lied to the United Nations about the phony weapons of mass destruction allowing George Bush and Dick Cheney to invade that nation.

Powell's son laid the red carpet down for media moguls like Rupert Murdoch to pinch out small, independent newspapers, radio stations and television stations.

Powell has always taken the low road when he had the choice to do the right thing.

He could have endorsed Obama long ago. Why did he keep his endorsement of anyone until now? Probably to help his old Viet Nam warmonger John McCain.

He might endorse Obama or he might not, I don’t know, but I don’t trust the guy AT ALL.

but he is not a neocon.

But I am guessing Powell won't endorse anyone.