I've written previously - on February 4, to be precise - that this ticket is as certain a winner as anything can be in politics. I was interested to read, in this past Sunday's New York Times editorial, about rumor and speculation that John McCain might consider running for vice president with Kerry.
I believe Kerry-Powell to be even more potent a combination. The damage to Bush and the Republican Party of the sitting secretary of state, one of the most respected men in the world, switching to the Democrats, and the force of this man's personality, would electrify the country.
Not to mention the fact that Powell would be superbly positioned to make a run for the presidency either 4 or 8 years from now.
Remember - you heard it here first.
Article comments
1 - Hal Pawluk
I think you're right on Powell.
I also think Kerry needs a strong second - he seems like a relatively weak reed to me.
Better than more Bush, though.
2 - mike
Powell is ill, and that would raise succession issues; it's doubtful he'd even be interested. He doesn't look well on TV.
It's true Kerry is a thin reed, but that's been true of most Presidents. People like Washington, Lincoln, FDR, and Eisenhower (very underrated) have been the exception.
The Bushes are among the most mediocre Presidents of all. As Kevin Phillips has pointed out, they seem interested in little besides lining their own pockets.
3 - Mac Diva
Hal, several stories in the African-American press have tracked the unpopularity of Powell and Condi Rice lately. Maybe that isn't true in regard to white America. But, I think it risky for the Democrats to ignore their most loyal voting bloc. Whoever thought of the infamous 'I'm fighting for WHITEY' poster seems to have been on to something.
4 - Hal Pawluk
Damn.
5 - mike
But most blacks who vote are voting for Kerry, and they would never hold it against him if he chose Powell. It couldn't possibly hurt him.
Powell's real appeal is to white America. He's the most popular Bush official, hands down. If he defected, even just to endorse Kerry, the effect would be devastating for Bush.
6 - Hal Pawluk
MD: "several stories in the African-American press have tracked the unpopularity of Powell and Condi Rice lately"
Thanks, MD - they're both unpopular with me, too :-)
I don't hold out any hope for Condi, but was thinking that Powell might "find redemption" and convert back to the "one honest man" he was initially perceived to be.
Ah, well ...
7 - Shark
Powell's performance at the UN last year was a blow to his image of Mr. Integrity. I would venture to guess that, like me, millions of people who watched that presentation figured, "Well, if Powell says it, it must be pretty good."
He 'sexed up' the WMD evidence just like the other Bush Junta liars.
He's lost his credibility with me.
Besides... a black Republican? C'mon, yer kidding, right?
8 - Mac Diva
I think that at first, people of color were just glad to see a couple beige faces in such high profile company. But, now, folks are asking what Colin and Condi are doing while there. The answer, supporting the status quo, displeases them. Clarence Thomas got away with distracting people with 'Look at me, I'm black.' But, he only needed to do so for long enough to get on the Court. These two won't.
I also would like to see the stock portfolios of the Deluded Duo. I wonder how many shares of Halliburton they own.
9 - RJ Elliott
First of all, Powell would never do this. He's quite loyal to the Bush team.
Second, putting Powell on the Dem ticket would merely ensure Condi becomes the GOP VP nominee (a triple rhyme!). Cheney would bow out due to "health issues." Condi would close the gender gap, and win Bush the election in 2004.
10 - Hal Pawluk
You give Condi credit for more positive value than I and many others do, RJ.
11 - Mac Diva
What planet is R.J. living on? The major domestic issue is gay marriage. (Though it shouldn't be.) The GOP is falling all over its slew feet trying to placate the Christian right for not having saved the world, i.e., them, from gay folks. Enter Condi, who can't even answer the question: 'What is your ideal partner like?' No way will she ever be anything other than an appointee whose personal life can be shielded from scrutiny.
12 - Shark
McD:The major domestic issue is gay marriage.
And "what planet are you living on"?
13 - Mac Diva
I reside on Earth, where Congress and state governments are in an uproar over preventing gay marriage.
14 - Shark
McDemon: "I reside on Earth."
Shark: "And how very unfortunate for the rest of us."
15 - CW Fisher
Colin Powell is a man I used to respect, who was forced to choose and chose poorly. Loyalty to an evil president is evil. He has proven himself to be every bit as bad as the rest of them.
He was an honest man ... and he will be an honest man again, after the Bush administration is gone in disgrace, around about the time he's shopping his memoirs.
Heroism of retirees always kills me. "Now that I'm safe, let me tell you what I really think."
Self-preservation is the watchword of the politician, and that's what Powell is.
For God's sake, this is the man who couldn't decide if he was a democrat or republican! Do you think he knows now? I wouldn't elect this wimp to any office.
And Condi? Plays a mean piano. But she's still just an executive secretary with an agenda. She's a "doctor" like I'm a "journalist."
16 - RJ Elliott
CW:
Calling the President "evil" does not change any minds, except those who once thought you were rational.
President Bush can reasonably be accused of a lot of things. Evil ain't one of them.
17 - Mac Diva
Banality can be evil. And, if anyone in America is guilty of banality, it is George W. Bush.
18 - Hal Pawluk
I thought the "Blair Bush Project" was pretty evil.
19 - Shark
Bush? Evil? I think this one's pretty easy to parse; we just look it up in the dictionary:
EVIL -
1. Morally bad or wrong; wicked
2. Causing ruin, injury, or pain; harmful
3. Characterized by or indicating future misfortune; ominous
4. Bad or blameworthy by report; infamous
5. Characterized by anger or spite; malicious
6. George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States
~NEXT!