Journalists on TV Sunday heralded the importance and impact of Colin Powell's long-expected endorsement of Barack Obama which he made on Meet the Press. Later in that show, NBC reporter Andrea Mitchell touted Powell's endorsement and critique of the McCain campaign as “a very powerful political statement.” On the same panel with Mitchell, Newsweek Editor Jon Meacham declared that “having Colin Powell endorse the Democratic nominee for President is like having the seal of approval from the most important military figure of the age.”
MSNBC was so excited by the news the channel produced a special Sunday Hardball devoted entirely to Powell's news. Chris Matthews teased: “Colin Powell, right in the kisser. Barack Obama gets the endorsement of the year. Let's play Hardball.” Cuing up a Meet the Press re-play at the end of the 5 pm EDT hour, Matthews celebrated: “This is history in the making, on Meet the Press, right now.”
NFL football bumped the EDT/CDT CBS Evening News, but both ABC and NBC made Powell their lead. With “Major Endorsement” as it's on-screen heading, ABC anchor Dan Harris teased, “Tonight on World News: On a roll. Obama wins a major endorsement from a major Republican.” CNN's 10 PM EDT Newsroom, which dedicated its first 30 minutes to Powell, plastered “Big-Time Endorsement” on screen before anchor Don Lemon wondered: “I know it is important, but just how important is this?”
On the NBC Nightly News, Lee Cowan framed his story around how Obama “was in a military town in North Carlina, home to Fort Bragg, where seven words from an Army General-” (Powell: “I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama”) “-left the Illinois Senator humbled.”
At the top of CBS's 10:30 AM EDT Face the Nation, the only one of the four broadcast network Sunday interview shows not produced at the same time as Meet the Press (9 AM EDT), host Bob Schieffer outlined Powell's case:
Well, the big news of the morning: General Colin Powell told Tom Brokaw this morning that he will vote for Barack Obama because, he said, the McCain campaign has been too polarizing, that he questioned Senator McCain's judgment in picking Sarah Palin as his running mate and he says attempts by the McCain campaign to connect Obama to former Vietnam protester Bill Ayers is inappropriate.
Of course, Ayers was a bit more than just a “Vietnam protester.”
Powell's choice became known during ABC's This Week and guest panelist David Gergen asserted: “I think it is the most important endorsement of the campaign so far.”
In the Meet the Press panel segment, Mitchell dismissed William Ayers and “Joe the Plumber” as “marginal issues” as she emphasized the relevance of Powell's criticisms and endorsement:
In talking about the narrowing of the party, he's talking, as he told you, about William Ayers, about the robo-calls, about the accusations of socialism, about, let's face it, "Joe the Plumber." A lot of the seemingly marginal issues that the McCain campaign has fixed on in these closing weeks are now undercut by the Colin Powell endorsement. This is a big deal with centrist Republicans, with Republican women in the suburbs. He's appealing, by mentioning the Supreme Court, he's appealing to a lot of those women who may not agree with Barack Obama on a lot of social questions, but feel the tug on Roe v. Wade and also would be influenced by Colin Powell and by a centrist Republican saying that this party is different. I think this is a very powerful political statement.
Every time someone reporters like endorses Obama they jump to publicize it:
My May 14 NewsBusters item, “Excited by 'Major' Edwards Endorsement to 'Create One America,'” recounted:
Trumpeting the "major endorsement" from John Edwards for Barack Obama, the day after Obama was trounced by 40 points in West Virginia all three broadcast network evening newscasts led Wednesday night with the "dramatic" announcement of the "political prize" that gives Obama a "major boost." Katie Couric returned at the end of the 6:30 PM EST CBS Evening News feed to reiterate "our top story tonight" as she effused over live video of Edwards speaking at the rally: "John Edwards endorses Barack Obama, saying he's one man who knows in his heart that it's time to create one America, not two."
ABC was so excited that its 6:30 PM feed of World News went live at about 6:40 PM to Grand Rapids, Michigan for 90 seconds of Obama introducing Edwards, compete with a Bruce Spingsteen song as Edwards bounded on stage. Gibson then acknowledged: "Timed for maximum exposure, timed to coincide with the evening newscasts, timed to give Barack Obama a needed boost after his bad defeat yesterday in West Virginia. George Stephanopoulos, this is the kind of publicity that you can't buy."
My January 28 NewsBusters posting, “'Mystique' Means 'Audacity of Hope' Has 'Rendezvous with Destiny,'” reported:
The broadcast network anchors and reporters were almost as giddy as Barack Obama over liberal Democrat Ted Kennedy's endorsement of the presidential candidate. ABC, CBS and NBC all led Monday night with it and ABC's David Wright adopted campaign slogans as he enthused about how "today the audacity of hope had its rendezvous with destiny. The Kennedy clan anointed Barack Obama a son of Camelot." CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric teased, "Passing the torch: Barack Obama is tapped as the candidate to continue the Kennedy legacy." NBC's Lee Cowan, who earlier this month conceded "it's almost hard to remain objective" when covering Obama, showed he also has a soft spot for the Kennedys as he radiated over how "the endorsement brought the Kennedy mystique to this campaign, not in a whisper, but a roar." Viewers then got a soundbite of Kennedy yelling during the event at American University.
Later, on Nightline, with "New Son of Camelot" on screen over video of Obama and Ted Kennedy, anchor Terry Moran trumpeted the "new son of Camelot. Ted and Caroline Kennedy pass the torch to Barack Obama to carry the legacy of JFK." Moran soon hailed how "the political world was transfixed by the spectacle of the most powerful Democratic family of the 20th century christening a new torch bearer for the 21st." David Wright repeated his "the audacity of hope had its rendezvous with destiny" line before championing the "merging ideals from two different eras" as "Obama is now an adopted son of Camelot."
Plus, on Al Gore endorsing Obama on June 16:
“CNN's Campbell Brown Giddy Over Al Gore, Pushes Him for VP”“NBC Trumpets Gore's 'Return to Electoral Politics' to Endorse Obama”
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
We can use you
October 19, 2008 - 22:45 ET by KC Mulville"the most important military figure of the age"
They cut him down not long ago when he made the case for WMDs. Now they build him up. Reality hasn't changed, just the media's description of it. It must be exhausting to step onto the media's hamster treadmill and they trot you around until they're bored with you, and the next hamster shoves you off.
Just wondering how this whole thing worked. Did Powell make up his mind this week, notify NBC, and they cleared the decks for him? The rumors that he was going to endorse Obama surfaced months ago. Why did they wait until now, and why did NBC schedule him this week? Did the coordinate the timing with the Obama campaign? Or was this all an amazing coincidence?
Yeah, we know how this game works ...
Certainly no coincidence
October 20, 2008 - 06:02 ET by PicnicOn Friday's Morning Joke, Andrea Mitchell was setting the stage for Powell's monumental, historic, powerful, etc. etc. endorcement of Obama- would he or wouldn't he? Such suspense, such a question for the ages. Then all the MSNBC talking heads show up on a Sunday night at 9:30, all suited up to "analyze" this history changing announcement. Once again, the MSM insults the viewers and engages in group massages their own egos and other parts of themselves. Shouldn't that sort of thing be done in private? Anyway, Powell's announcement is just one person's opinion. He hasn't changed my mind.
Mr. P
October 19, 2008 - 22:48 ET by WesenSo Powell finally decides he wants to go to Washington via the endorsement. How convenient.
Brent... There's a major
October 19, 2008 - 22:48 ET by Clear thinkerBrent...
There's a major fly in the ointment...Colin Powell Defending Muslims…
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
???
October 19, 2008 - 22:58 ET by MidAmericaMitchell: .....This is a big deal with centrist Republicans, with Republican women in the suburbs.
Huh? What? She's thinking there are Republican women out there who just needed Powell's endorsement of obama to sway their vote? I can't decide if she's delusional or conniving.
um...
October 19, 2008 - 23:06 ET by candanceIsn't that exactly what they said about John Edwards?
Change is what you're left with when you've spent all your dollars.
Andrea Mitchell touted
October 19, 2008 - 23:08 ET by TN MomAndrea Mitchell touted Powell's endorsement and critique of the McCain campaign as “a very powerful political statement.”
Silly me! I thought the Obama-Terrorist Bill Ayers connection was a 'very powerful political statement'!
Colin Powell trying to reform his legacy.
October 20, 2008 - 08:40 ET by Joe C.Colin Powell needs the Media to reform his legacy of being proven wrong at every turn for the last 18 years. He advised not to go into Baghdad and finish the job in the first Iraq War, which would have obviated the rest of history since. He enabled Clinton’s fecklessness regarding terrorism. He spearheaded (reluctantly) the liberation of Iraq - which he didn’t believe in - then stabbed Pres. Bush in the back at every turn as his Sec. of State. Now, he is completing the circle of incompetent advice to the country while sniffin' for a job by paying his pennance to Lord Obama and the Media by again stabbing in the back the one man who was right during the whole War.
After hearing and reading Powell’s non-sensical endorsement, I honestly doubt that this is anything more than another Black guy endorsing Barack to stick it to Whitey so that he looks good in the history books.
Powell to join Re-habilitation Tour!
October 20, 2008 - 08:47 ET by Sergeant ROCKPowell to join Klinton with the G.H.Bush Re-habilitation tour
PALIN/McCain 2008
Powell a Racist
October 20, 2008 - 05:17 ET by ChattychitoI have read every interview available and Colin Powell is only endoresing Obama because a "black man in office would be exhilirating"
Powell doesn't care about this country all he wants is a blackman in office. you talk about a racist. Powell is a racist it seems the only reason people want Obama in office is so they can put one in the record books and say we had a black president.
Powell (R)acist
October 20, 2008 - 06:23 ET by Sergeant ROCKExactly right! It's all about putting a 'black' guy in the Oval Office. Nevermind whether or not he's qualified! In his interview, he just blathered on with the usual 'he makes me feel good' gobbledegook that supporters spew in those 'man on the street' interviews, etc. He's a walking 'talking point'. Obama is 'inclusive'? And he's qualified to be President, while Palin is not qualified to be Vice-President? Huh?
Powell is an idiot. I didn't like him from day one. I would not have made him Secretary of State, among other things. He's a RINO. He supports affirmative action.
Powell is not just a racist, but a leftist racist. Otherwise, he would've endorsed Alan Keyes several years ago.
PALIN/McCain 2008
SR love that....
October 20, 2008 - 09:05 ET by connmanPowell (R)acist. Says it all! I once heard him speak years ago ('98) at one of those motivational speaker things. You know Zig Ziegler, Ben & Jerry, Dicky V. I liked him and thought he would make a great Republican candidate some day. And it turns out he's just another Divider instead of Uniter. And what was this nonsense of him accusing the McCain campain of being anti-muslim? Sad, sad, sad.
No way! No how! Nobama! Keep the change! ...Sen. Clinton
This should not be a surprise to anyone
October 20, 2008 - 05:29 ET by expatriotColin Powell has been a social liberal his entire life. He exhibited this as Sec State and in numerous interviews that he has given over time. The press making a big deal of this is another instance of them plugging for their guy, B Hussein Obama. This is going to keep up right until the election. The press will not report on anything positive for McCain and will continue to push Hussy to the forefront.
I Have to Agree with Mr. P
October 20, 2008 - 05:30 ET by rickmacPowell is the epitome of the "political General," but somehow, people think of him as a Washington outsider. Seems to me he's angling for SecDef in an Obama administration. Also, I heard news reports yesterday IDing him as a "Prominent" Republican. I don't think he's a prominent Republican. He's a sometimes Republican. Interesting that Joe Lierberman didn't get this much ink when he endorsed McCain.
Right on the money
October 20, 2008 - 05:56 ET by expatriotColin Powell has spent a lot of his life in Washington. He was Sec Def, Sec State and posted to the Pentagon on numerous occasions. To even begin to think of him as an outsider is ludicrous. He is the stealth insider that tries to portray himself as something else. Its just a shame that he is supporting someone who wants to destroy the country that Colin fought to defend.
Powell is incoherent and mendacious
October 20, 2008 - 06:00 ET by Jack BauerI am not shocked at Powell's seemingly contradictory decision -- America is, well for another few weeks, still a free country. No one seriously thought him a conservative, did they?
But his intellectual incoherence? Now that is truly shocking in a man previously noted for his command of the issues.
Clearly he cannot sustain his decision with any degree of consistency based on his public record.
He, more than anyone, SOLD the war in Iraq to not only the American public, but to the world. More than Bush, it was Powell.
An honest man could not then come out and endorse the candidate who based his whole primary campaign on the (admittedly bogus) idea that he had "always been against the war in Iraq."
It's not merely a disconnect. It's a frackin' brain aneurism.
If Powell had the courage of his 2003 convictions, he'd have to say that by endorsing Obama now, I was wrong then.
Also -- Obama should be asked by the likes of the MSM how come he can accept the endorsement of the man who was the public face of the war he apparently disagreed with in 2003.
Surely Obama could only accept Powell's endorsement if he now came out and admitted he was wrong. Or vice versa. But it will be a cold day in hell before NBBCBSABC posited that embarrassing question.
All Powell's other so-called "reasons" for endorsing Obama sound equally incoherent -- and embarrassingly thin, bordering on bogus.
So it would seems that he proves that race trumps all. Sorry, but in the absence of any other "splanation" that must be true.
Powell incoherrent
October 20, 2008 - 06:33 ET by Sergeant ROCKYes, his supposed reasoning to endorse Obama had me scratchin' my head. What a boob.
It is funny to note that, like you said, that while Powell was a driving force behind the Iraq War, he gets a pass from the MSM and Obama Kool-Aid drinkers. So, was it Bush wearing a Powell mask giving that PowerPoint presentation? Or did Bush force him to lie about the contents of said presentation?
It's the same vacuous reasoning of all of the Obama supporters.
PALIN/McCain 2008
sarge -- Powell wants it
October 20, 2008 - 10:15 ET by Jack Bauersarge -- Powell wants it both ways. What a brazen hypocrite.
And with the current Obama media, he'll get it.
Now it turns out that Obama has just announced he'll offer Powell a position in "his" administration -- Powell's stance looks even less worthy than before.
Powell returns to Uncle Sam's Plantation!
October 20, 2008 - 10:20 ET by Sergeant ROCKHe looks like a fool. But I can't that because that would make me a racist.
PALIN/McCain 2008
Harry Belafonte
October 20, 2008 - 06:52 ET by Red JeepWill someone in the MSM ask Harry Belafonte if he still considers Powell to be a house Negro now? Or Al Sharpton, or Jesse Jackson?
Wanted: House Negro
October 20, 2008 - 06:56 ET by Sergeant ROCKHouse negroes are cool if they are serving you. Otherwise, it's a negative conotation.
PALIN/McCain 2008
Powell Endorsing Obama
October 20, 2008 - 07:03 ET by GeneralAlThe endorsement of Obama by Powell takes me back to 1952 when Ike decided to run for president. He was running against a more experienced though liberal Adlai Stevenson. The press responded at the time by saying just because you're a great general doesn't mean you can be president. Now we have Powell with years of experience as an officer in the Army being willing to turn control of the military over to a new recruit that hasn't started boot camp! To add insult to injury, he mentions Sarah Palin's experience and calls her a bad choice! He blames Mccain for running a polarizing campaign and basically thumbs his nose at all the Republicans who were instruemental in taking notice of him! I say this is nothing more than pure racism! This is strictly a black for black endorsement and is proven by Powell's lame excuses put forth! I've admired him up to now and still would if he was honest about his reasons, but he was not! Once again, I've been let down by someone I've admired. God help America with Obama and the RePo team in charge. General powell, as far as I'm concerned, you are in a class with two other heroes of mine who let me down! Rock Hudson and O. J. Simpson! I always thought Hudson was a "real" man because I was so naive and was fascinated by Simpson's achievenents in life! At this point, the only hero left for me is Alfred E. Neuman!
House Negro Goes home!
October 20, 2008 - 07:23 ET by ChasvsSo while the Demofacist called him a House N!GG*R when he served Persident Bush, he's some sort of Black Hero now that he's endorsed Lord Obama?
Way to go BRO!
John 3:16
October 20, 2008 - 07:29 ET by Sergeant ROCKEven a House Negro can find salvation in the Lord Savior Barrack Hussein Obama.
Amen.
PALIN/McCain 2008
Most Republicans were always
October 20, 2008 - 07:27 ET by AlgerHissMost Republicans were always wary of Powell’s commitment to their platform. He was always squishy and made many nervous.
There are a couple of parallels to Powell in Minnesota politics: Arne Carlson and Shelia Kiscaden.
Carlson was a quite mushy Republican governor that in 2002 stated he was no longer a Republican.
Kiscaden, a former state senator, in the course of about two years, went from being a Republican to an “Independent” to now being a Democrat.
These types of people are without any core principles. You can NOT count on them to be consistent and on your side when the chips are down. Interestingly though, they are in the vast minority when it comes to people changing political direction. Most that change go from left to right, not right to left.
As for Powell, in the end, he’s right there with Bill Ayers, Father Pfleger and the rest of the America-hating bunch.
Rochester, Minnesota: A Fem_Leftist City!
After they catch their breath I'm sure the MSM will report...
October 20, 2008 - 08:08 ET by Prester John....on the 200 or so general and flag officers, to include Admirals Inman and Kelso, and Generals Horner (USAF), Kelly (USMC) and Stiner (USA) who have endorsed McCain. Perhaps not as well known as Gen Powell, but certainly much more experienced in terms of operational command. Plus if you compare McCain's list to the pathetic lineup at the Denver coronation where BHO was able to come up with about two dozen or so flag/general officers (among whom were Wesley Clark and Claudia Kennedy) it is clear who the vast majority of these officers support.
See http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/News/PressReleases/7c90f271-3000-4f2d-8bdc-d79cd19ae676.htm for the list of flag/general officers who support McCain.
Welcome to my cabinet General Powell.
October 20, 2008 - 08:20 ET by CrashHow is it that the man who sold the Bush "lie" to the UN is the man of the year for the whack jobs on the left?
TRUTH Doesn't Matter!
October 20, 2008 - 08:23 ET by ChasvsDemofacists have never given squat for the TRUTH!
If it helps them make their invalid poisitions sound good they'll say it!
STOP THE OBAMAFACISTS NOW
"Endorsement" = "I'm
October 20, 2008 - 08:42 ET by gregfahey"Endorsement" = "I'm available"
Colin Powell, famous for being famous.
He said too much in his endorsement
October 20, 2008 - 09:36 ET by ckbennetttnIn addition to his criticism of McCain/Palin did he say something to the effect of "so what if Obama was a Muslim?" I really think he said too much and that it made him look bad. His criticism of McCain and his recent history really make it look like sour grapes to me. In fact, he has always been a RINO. I can't imagine that his endorsement means anything to anyone other than liberals.
“I am the latte-sipping, New York Times-reading, Volvo-driving, no-gun-owning, effete, politically correct, arrogant liberal.” --Barack Obama
With All Due Respect...
October 20, 2008 - 09:54 ET by Wildcatter1980...what real political credibility does Colin Powell have? Has he ever been a candidate for elective office? Served in elective office?
The last time I checked, he had been an Army officer and worked his way up to Chairman of the JCS. After that, he was Sec'y of State. Besides "rubbing elbows" with the Beltway Crowd, what gives him any more cred than "Joe, the plumber" when it comes to political endorsements?
BTW-Surprise, surprise! The Columbus Dispatch, yesterday, endorsed John McCain for President.
--
Ignorance, our most costly commodity-paraphrased from Rush Limbaugh
The significance of this
October 20, 2008 - 11:31 ET by fitzfongThe significance of this announcement is completely overplayed. The real headline should read, "Empty Uniform Endorses Empty Suit".
"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." -Ronald Reagan
fitzfong.blogspot.com
Interesting...
October 20, 2008 - 12:12 ET by retroconPowell is lying when he says it isn't about race. It's absolutely about race. It can't be about "Republicans going left." Because Obama is where republicans can never go. It can't be about Sarah Palin's experience, as a person twice elected to progressively more responsible top executive goverment positions, and the only one on either ticket with ANY elected executive experience, she is absolutely the most qualified individual on either ticket. It could be about SCOTUS picks, but if that's the case, by definition, Powell is a far left liberal, not a moderate Republican, so he should just change parties and stop lying.
Interesting how, when he says something that they don't like, he's called a liar or a "house slave" of the President. But when he says something they like, he's a hero and a great man.
Oh, I respect his service, but if he want's to weaken our country with an Obama presidency, I do not have to respect him.
GOP going left?
October 20, 2008 - 12:18 ET by Sergeant ROCKCan't go? I dunno, I'm betting that should McCain lose, the GOP will use the excuse that we didn't go left far enough.
Stay tuned...
PALIN/McCain 2008
An Animal by any other name.....
October 20, 2008 - 13:55 ET by UtherpendR-I-N-O
I never liked Colin Powell. He always seemed to be the Politician in a uniform that the military has been weeding out of the upper enchelons of the commanding structure for the last 10 years. Now we know how he got to where he is. Go along with whatever helps him, then cut and run when he sees a better oppertunity. His ilk cost a lot of lives in Korea and Vietnam.
Now the real question is will the Republican leaders throw him out fo the Republican party like they should have done years ago? If they don't shut him down and cast him out then they are not fit to lead the party.
Frankly, I think Colin
October 20, 2008 - 15:20 ET by fitzfongFrankly, I think Colin Powell was a device used by the George H.W. Bush Administration because Bush 41 was overly-sensitive to the false notion that Conservatism=Racism. He was given far too much authority and credit because H.W. had a real populist-driven need to pander...God forbid some media hack label him a racist...as if they wouldn't do that anyway. Bush even had to grandstand over the Rodney King criminal verdicts...demanding Federal "Civil Rights Violations" charges and effectively poisoning any potential jury pool for the Federal Trial (and fat lot of good it did his re-election prospects). The one competent move H.W. made was in nominating Clarence Thomas, but then he was left hanging out to dry with all those fraudulent sexual harrassment accusations...the Administration let him twist in the wind while a bunch of partisan scumbags like Heflin, Kennedy, Biden and company violated him and his family. Powell was simply a straw man, famous for being famous...and boy did he get a lot of mileage out of that.
"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." -Ronald Reagan
fitzfong.blogspot.com