Powell: 'Not looking for a job'

Posted: Friday, January 09, 2009 1:11 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's John Holland
Former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell said at a news conference he has not been offered and is not looking for a job with the new administration.

"I am not looking for a job," Powell said. "I think I can help this effort along from the outside by being a spokesman and a champion for service to others."

He continued: "I am very happy in private life, thank you very much, and I am trying to be as helpful as I can to the president-elect and vice president-elect. We all should be as helpful as we can to the new team coming in. They are coming in for America, and I look forward to assisting in any way I can, but I have not been offered a job and kind of made it clear that I am not looking for a position."

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Comments

i know some on the right don't like powell any longer because he supported obama, but this is an honorable and good man. having him help in any capacity is a good thing for the future.

ace-independent (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:19 PM)

Colin Powell, a man with some class. Too bad he got tied up with the Bushies or he might have been a good candidate for Pres. or vPres.

General Powell wants what is good for the country not just what is good for his party. Others should learn from him.

eagle1776 (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:19 PM)

Traitor - We hope you can't find work on a garbage truck.

Colin Powell: Unemployed

Desmond & Molly (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:22 PM)

General Colin Powell is a man of great wisdom and experience.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:25 PM)

ex-Sen Chuck Hagel and ex-DNC Chairman Howard Dean are two others who would fit well in any new adminsitration

Two very good men

MSierra, SF (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:28 PM)

I feel Colin Powell is one of the most intelligent, honest, dignified men to survive the Shrub years. That's great he will be advising Obama and team. Obama's going to need all the advise he can get considering the mess Shrub's admin. is leaving.

cindy, Las Vegas, Nv (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:36 PM)

I think Powell will do well in the role of private adviser. He showed during both Bush administrations that he's a great soldier, but also that he is way too much of a good soldier, and not the strong independent voice that we needed in his position at the time.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

From another thread ~ Palin will have the last word on all of the Media Malpractice. Palomino (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 12:07 PM)

The last three words, actually. Not. My. Fault.

Ann Delusion (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:37 PM)

Sounds like Powell is looking for a job.

Traitor Joe (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:46 PM)

HOW DARE YOU, POWELL! FOR G-D'S SAKE YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE AGAINST EVERYTHING THE NEW ADMINISTRATION STANDS FOR! (LOL)

Seriously, no wonder why the GOP hates him so much. He's repentent about his involvement with the current administration, and is actually more interested in helping the country instead of his party. Take a lesson, McCain. This is what you'd call being a MAVERICK.

11 Days Until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:46 PM)

Didn't Powell hitch his horse to the Bush wagon at the start? Granted he may have bailed, but all anyone has to do is listen to Bush (off-camera) for a couple of minutes to understand he is stupid. If he was not able to detect that blatent fact, shame is now stuck to him like a leach. He knows it.

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:46 PM)

This happened in Illinois too. The ex governor was a Republican who behaved like a Democrat. So the Republicans didn't trust him anymore, and the Democrats hated him because, well, that's what Democrats do to Republicans. Now he has no friends and is in jail.

Ly'in Ryan (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:50 PM)

Powell could be the funny, zany, side-kick servant to Obama. Always getting into some kind humorous trouble where Obama has to bail him out at the end of the day. Obama could refer to Powell as 'Little Buddy'.

Alan Hale (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:53 PM)

In a way Powell reminds me of Gore. Stay out of the fray and get called on now and then for consultation or advice. Write books and stay on the lecture tour to make money. Relax at home and read the editorials on Sunday morning now and then to get a good laugh. Accept interviews on the likes of MSNBC and CNN now and again knowing that everyone will be interestd in what you have to say. Stay in a position where you can call Ann Coulter a right wing freak and Palin an incompetent fool without it reflecting on someone you work for (Obama Administration). Sounds like a good spot to be in if you ask me. I don't balme Powell at all for not wanting a formal position.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 1:55 PM)

I am sure Mr. Powell is happy in his private life, but he held a press conference just to say "he's not looking for a job in the new administration?" OK?!?!

Mia in Miami (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 2:11 PM)

Mr Powell,as human beings go they don't get a hell of a lot better.Not bitter about how LIL Bush let him go to the UN and lie for the guttless war mongers Bush and Chaney.Not whining because the repuks lost the election like the Right wingnuts.Not showing bitterness ,wanting to help his country,if only LIL Bush thought the same way,chances are we wouldn't be in this mess .But of coarse it's all Clintons and Carters fault that GWB let Dick run the country into the ground.I hope down the road that Obama will have a job for you,at least you deserve it.

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 2:16 PM)

He should go on a speaking tour of schools telling kids not to do as he has done. That words have meaning and how lies can get people killed. That when you go into public service you should always put the good of the country above party and politics. Maybe after doing this penance for a few years he can be forgiven and trusted for public office.

nuanced (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 2:16 PM)

Thank goodness! We all had enough of Colin at this point.

11 days until Barack is on the clock of accountability.

Pete, Salinas, CA (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 2:17 PM)

COLIN POWELL, I SALUTE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I sincerely believe, trust and respect Colin Powell's indication that he "can help this effort along from the outside by being a spokesman and a champion for service to others."

If Powell doesn't do anything else, I am convinced that he helped 'seal the deal' for Obama in a major way with his profound endorsement of Obama on Meet The Press. For me, that endorsement alone will stand out in history as one of the greatest and most significant contributions anyone has made to America the Obama Administration.

CLC from DC (Sent Friday, January 09, 2009 2:17 PM)

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