Powell met with Obama, McCain

Posted: Tuesday, July 01, 2008 3:41 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's Domenico Montanaro
Obama and McCain met with former Secretary of State Colin Powell in recent weeks at his Arlington office, Hotline's On Call reports.

"Just an informal conversation," Peggy Cifrino, Powell's spokeswoman, told On Call about the meeting with Obama two weeks ago. McCain met with Powell a week earlier.

"There’s no looming endorsement," Cifrino said. "They came to talk about issues."

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Comments

There's a lot of speculation regarding who and when Powell will endorse, but what I think speaks volumes is that this a Republican who is a retired General who hasn't endorsed the GOP candidate.

Another ominous sign for Old Man River.

Obama 08

Rob, Denver (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 3:46 PM)

Obama For President!! (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 3:47 PM)

Why is McCain taking a trip to give away our jobs?

McCain's rabid support of NAFTA and CAFTA (Colombian Free Trade Agreement) are well known.

Today he travels to Central and South America to promise countries there that he will be sure to send our jobs to them if elected.

Funny that McCain is for giving us all a few cents as part of a gas tax holidays that would cost American construction jobs and now he flaunts our pain as he travels to give away our jobs.

He has the same policy on Iraq. Undying support for the government in Baghdad while he does NOT support the new GI bill until he puts his wet finger in the political air and flip flops on the issue. It is also totally acceptable to him to give billions to the Iraqi while we are suffering a massive economic downturn at home.

I think, Powell supports Obama (even if not publicly), not John McSame. Obama has a far more sensible approach based on sound judgement.

This is not just about Republican vs. Democrat. McCain is a VERY scary guy because he acts erratically. Some may call is being a maverick, I call schizophrenic.

A vote for McSame is to doom our children to endless war and economic ruin.

http://laststopmidwest.blogspot.com

James, Wichita, KS (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 3:49 PM)

"… McCain addressed the recent Supreme Court decision on the death penalty for child rapists, commending Obama's statements against the decision, but saying that such decisions would be common in an Obama court.".....

I wonder what we would expect from a McCain court.......the freedom and push to divorce, and disown our dissabled family members and children...
May be McCain should give a speech titled HOW TO EFFECTIVELY GET RID YOUR DISSABLED AND CRIPPLED FAMILY MEMBERS AND REPLACE THEM WITH RICH STEPFORD FAMILY/WIVES

The Don, Independence, MO (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 3:54 PM)

What my fellow Democrats don't seem to understand about people like Colin Powell and Chuck Hagel is that an endorsement for Obama could be embarrassing for McCain. These guys are friends with McCain; they don't want to embarrass him. What that may mean is that, rather than endorsing, they stay out of the mix. That way, they don't have to shame their compatriot while building up a kid they don't even really know all that well.

Brendan D, Niles, IL (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 3:54 PM)

"There’s no looming endorsement," Cifrino said. "They came to talk about issues."

******************************************

Peggy, please. Powell's is as thrilled about Barack Obama's candidacy as a puppy with two.......sensory receptors. He gushed all over himself about it during the primaries.

donna (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 3:54 PM)

I've got three words for all you conservatives and republicans that are so upset about anyone having the audacity to question someone's military service:

Purple Heart Bandaids

Here's some pictures for those jerks that have forgotten:
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y70/TayTayTay/Military/68726110_2c7787453b_o.jpg

These were worn by Republicans at the 2004 convention to mock John Kerry’s service in Vietnam.

You reap what you sow losers.

Allen, Chicago (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 3:54 PM)

"Powell should back Obama"

Why? Because you back Obama and shamelessly plug your own commercial website? Hey MSNBC, how about we censor the commercial advertising in the comments section?

Joe (NJ) (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 3:57 PM)

Colin Powell should be anyones nominee for president or at the very least a contender for the VP slot. I truly believe that if Senator McCain were able to convince him to be his running mate, that the election as well as Senator Obama's bid for the white house would be over.

James C. Rickett, Tampa, Fl (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 3:59 PM)

What does it say about the fact that Powell hasn't already endorsed his party's nominee? Alot to me. I sure hope he goes Senator Obama's way!

Obama 08

Powell for Obama would be great! (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:01 PM)

Powell should back Obama, However that kind of move will cause a uproar, since Powell is GOP.

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GOP is a rash (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:01 PM)

It wouldn't surprise me if, deep down, Powell hates the GOP because of the way Dubya made him play the fool by making him lie to the United Nations in the build-up to our invasion of Iraq.

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:02 PM)

Before I would accept C.Powell as a viable running mate, I would want to see him on the evening news saying he was sorry for allowing Dubya to dupe him into appearing before members of the UN and lying about Iraq. Only then would I trust him as Obama's veep choice.

A.Brocco,Albuquerque,NM (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:03 PM)

Powell will either endorse Obama or not endorse at all. He saw what President Bush did to him and he's not going to blindly follow the leader anymore.

Roofing Reality, Houston, Tx. (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:05 PM)

I would hope that Powell would stay out it until both conventions are over. His reputation has been destroyed by what he had to do at the U.N. by the Bush administration. I would hope that he could do some charitable work and keep out of the spot light for a while longer.

I think it is becoming clear that Powell is not 100% comfortable with some of the policies that McCain would continue from this Bush administration. I can't say that I blame him either. Some of them have been questionable to say the least.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:06 PM)

Powell will become McCain's VP... this will totally erode all the black vote in the Obama camp.

Bubba Jones (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:06 PM)

Powell has no honor, he has no shame, he has no credibility...he knowingly sold the world during the UN speech a lie in order to get us to invade Iraq. He should be hung to dry with Bush, Cheyney, Rice, and Co.

Pat Huntington NY (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:12 PM)

I wonder how many slack jaw yoakles will come out and call Powell a "racist" if he does support Obama...

GP Chicago (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:15 PM)

To you people dreaming of the McBush /Powell ticket dream on ,it's not going to happen. To Bubba Biggot Jones. Sorry Charlie even if that happened McBush/Powell which it wont McBush has nothing to offer as you call it the black vote. The Republican party has taken over where The Dixecrats of the 50's and 60's left off.

Brian M. De. (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:17 PM)

I would hope that Obama would selsect Powell as Secretary of DEfense again. I think Powell would love to re-build the military as it should be instead of what the Bush Admin has turned it into. I also think this would help alleviate the way Bush used him by lying to him about Iraq

mb (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:19 PM)

Bubba Jones, do you know any black people?

Do you think Chuck Hagel will erode all of McCain's base as Obama's veep? No. Not by a long shot. But it will certainly make cookies crumble in that direction.

If Powell was running for President, Bubba, that would be a different story.

Newz, Los Angeles (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:23 PM)

Outside McCain's Bus:

STRAIGHT TALK EXPRESS

Inside McCain's bus:

DOUBLE TALK EXPRESS - ANYTHING BUSH/MCCAIN/CHENEY TALK EXPRESS

The Don, Missouri (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:24 PM)

Dear Bubba.....don't bet on it. You might be gif time suprised.

BernJ (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:28 PM)

Actually, Powell lists himself as an independent, not as a Republican. He would be an outstanding running mate for Obama, but 2 black guys at the top of the ticket.....? How this country would react would show us all what kind of country we live in.

Scott LaRoque, Las Vegas NV (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:30 PM)

Powell is NOT going to endorse McFossil. He was practically drooling over Obama in the Primary. And Obama can't chose him for his VP.........you want the KKK to come out in force with TWO black men on the ticket????????? OMG......one is bad enough if you ask to people in West Virginia and Bobbie from Eau Claire.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:31 PM)

It would be nice in a limited sort of way for Powell to endorse Obama but really who cares? Powell has zero credibility with anyone. He's the guy who knew he was handing out bull but thought being loyal was more important than the welfare of his country and fellow Americans.

He wasn't willing to resign yet he kept and continues to keep trying to look like he was the one taking the high road. If he had resigned, saying that he could not support the use of shaky and completely discredited intel to promote the administrations war policy history would have been quite different. Now neither the Dems nor the Republicans can have much use or fondness for him.

Felix, CO (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:35 PM)

Wow. I have a hard time seeing why this guy gets so much respect. I remember so clearly seeing him address the UN about how dangerous Iraq is and how the only solution to stop these terrorists from killing all of us Americans was to attack them.
I remember sitting there and thinking that the U.S. is actually going to take there eye off the prize. They are going to leave Aghanistan and let them get away with what they did to my beloved home town.
I remember sitting there and feeling my heart sink.
Powell is a liar and just as bad as Rumsfeld, Cheney, Rove and the rest of the thugs. He deserves no respect from any of us that are opposed to the war in Iraq.

Mark,Seattle (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:37 PM)

"Powell will become McCain's VP... this will totally erode all the black vote in the Obama camp."

Bubba, you must be high on meth or something.

D123 (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:43 PM)

Endorsement, schmendorsement. I think Barry should tag CoPo for the Veep spot.
http://lifeisacookie.wordpress.com/2008/07/01/lets-start-a-rumor/

Thecookie, Palm Beach County, Florida (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:44 PM)

Hey Bubba Jones - Let me make one thing clear... AA don't vote for candidates just because they're black. Believe it or not, we're smarter than that.

sharrell (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:45 PM)

Powell hit the low point of his career while serving Bush/Cheney. Their determined undermining of the truth was a horrible introduction to his political career and brought his public image way down. Only after he began to speak out against 'Duh'bayah's bunch did I regain any respect for him. He's a smart guy. I hope he endorses Obama. I can't imagine that he would endorse someone as unqualified for the job as McCain.

bill, okla (Sent Tuesday, July 01, 2008 4:47 PM)

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