When rumors were circulating about former Secretary of State Colin Powell's intention to endorse Sen. Barack Obama for president about a week before he actually did on the Oct. 19 edition of "Meet the Press," I confided to a friend my belief that such an endorsement would be devastating to the McCain campaign. In light of Powell's decision to officially throw his weight into this election, I cannot pretend that his endorsement does not indeed undermine Sen. John McCain's message and hurt his presidential campaign.
Powell explained to Tom Brokaw that he views Obama as a "transformational leader," trusts his response to the economic crisis, disapproves of McCain's negative campaign and feels general disillusionment with the direction of the Republican Party. While these are mostly issues of domestic politics and concerns rather than a declaration of Obama's readiness to preside over the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and other international crises, the fact that Powell, a former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman and secretary of state under Republican administrations, can put his trust in Obama significantly enhances Obama's national security credibility, an area in which polls have consistently favored McCain.
Obama, however, should not be so quick to embrace Powell's endorsement. There can be no denial that Powell is a lasting symbol of the Bush administration, of which Obama seems so weary, and particularly a symbol of the war in Iraq, which Obama decries. If Powell had instead chosen to endorse McCain, his friend of 25 years who he admitted would make a "good president," the Obama campaign would have lambasted Powell as a relic of politics-as-usual, a continuation of the failed policies of President George W. Bush, and an icon of the unjust and misguided war in Iraq.
Obama gained popularity for -- and launched his presidential campaign on -- his opposition to the war in Iraq, whereas Powell hinged his career upon his support for it. Even if Powell were to regret his role in getting the U.S. military into Iraq, it would not be enough to merit an open acceptance by Obama. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) regretted her role in affirmatively voting to authorize military power in Iraq, and yet that one vote proved to be the one fatal distinction between her and Obama that arguably cost her the nomination and, potentially, the presidency.
Out of respect to his dedicated anti-war supporters and to Clinton, Obama should be more cautious in accepting the advice and support of Colin Powell.
--
