Powell’s endorsement works on many levels. It is emotionally moving and intellectually persuasive. It also works at a deeper level to see Powell, who many Americans have observed, trusted and admired more than any other public figure for over two decades, endorse Obama. We’ve seen Powell at the side of Reagan, Bush ‘41, Clinton, and Bush ‘43 at numerous times of crisis. He’s been universally respected at an expert on military and foreign affairs. As a military man, much of the respect he has garnered has been nonpartisan, even as he has been serving in Republican administrations. This endorsement has to be devastating to the McCain campaign, which has premised its closing argument on demonizing Obama. How can you successfully demonize a man who is being vouched for by the most respected public figure in America? Welcome to the October Surprise: Colin Powell.
Also, Powell speaks to the press outside of NBC’s Washington Bureau after his endorsement:
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4 responses so far ↓
chaze77 // October 19, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I have always loved Colin Powell, along with millions of other Americans.
Bleeding heart liberal though I may be, I would have voted for him in an instant, had he ever ran for President.
This is not a decision he came to lightly, and this truly is a testament to his character that he was willing to stand up and walk away from his party, his colleagues and his friends to publicly endorse Barack Obama.
Obama/Biden ‘08
FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE AND GENERAL, (REPUBLICAN) COLIN POWELL, ENDORSES BARACK OBAMA!!!! « Girl du jour’s Blog du jour // October 19, 2008 at 5:12 pm
[...] on Fox News Sunday, McCain said he respects and admires Powell, and the announcement “doesn’t come as a [...]
Missives From Suburbia // October 19, 2008 at 5:14 pm
I hope this tips Florida over the edge.
Anticipating the GOP’s Post-Election Spin « Roadkill Refugee // October 31, 2008 at 1:04 pm
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