Powell made a contribution to McCain's campaign, CNN has learned.
WASHINGTON (CNN) – CNN has learned the presidential campaign of Sen. John McCain received a check Wednesday from former Secretary of State Colin Powell, providing a symbolic boost to the Arizona Republican's struggling White House bid.
McCain spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker confirmed the contribution, telling CNN, "The Senator appreciates the support of General Powell." Powell's office did not return calls seeking comment.
According to a review of Federal Election Commission records, Powell has not donated to any other candidate this year.
While the McCain campaign would not be more specific about the contribution, a source familiar with the matter said the check totaled $2,300, the maximum an individual can give to any one candidate in the primary season, hinting at a likely endorsement in the future.
McCain advisers are privately thrilled about the contribution from the highly-respected retired Army General, which simultaneously reinforces the senator's credentials as an independent-minded Republican and a strong voice on national security issues.
It also gives the McCain camp a rare bit of positive news after weeks of media stories about staff shake-ups, disappointing fundraising numbers and heavy conservative criticism of the the senator's position on immigration reform - all of which have turned the presumed Republican front-runner into a longshot for the GOP nomination.
Advisers say McCain has been privately expressing regret that early in the campaign, he tried too hard to model his bid after the successful campaigns of President Bush and it never quite felt right. The senator is now privately pledging to do it "my way" by trying to be more of the maverick he was in his 2000 White House bid. The question now, advisers admit, is whether it's too late for the senator to recapture some of the magic of the "old McCain" from that race.
UPDATE: Powell spokeswoman Peggy Cifrino confirmed to CNN that the retired General made the contribution after learning that the senator’s campaign was low on funds, though she stressed this is not a formal endorsement of the candidate.
“John is a longtime friend of General Powell’s,” said Cifrino. “But he has not endorsed John McCain nor any other candidate.”
As for whether there will be an endorsement down the road, she said it “remains to be seen” and would not speculate.
– CNN White House Correspondent Ed Henry
From CNN Politics
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Who said the person was a reputed war protestor? Did you actually ask him/her? Just because they ask a tough question doesn't make them a protestor, it makes them a thoughtful, involved citizen.
My guess is that if this war had a draft, it would be over in a month.
unfortunately for McCain, I don't think that 2,300 will be enough to catch back up to Ron Paul.. Paul is pulling away.
Powell is a liar. Worse than that, he has made a profit off the killing of innocent civilians in Iraq.
So any money he has is blood money and should be given over to the families of the victims.
jack jett
Powell himself was probably misled by the Rove/Cheney propaganda machine.
Some say that's why Powell resigned, to distance himself from the misguided Bush policies.
McCain was a maverick in 2000. McCain is nothing like that in 2008. All his viewpoints mirror that of Bush on immigration, Irak and any other major policy.
Mr. Jett,
Where did you get the facts for these outlandish allegations?
Wow! The $2300 check that is worth $1,000,000!
I guess old guys that are completely wrong about Iraq gotta stick together.
I wonder just how well respected Powell really is after his fiasco in the UN with the Iraq WMD moble lab scenario.
As a supporter of candidate McCain, I would really like him to see him put his resources into use and start addressing some of the most fundamental issues that are affecting the lives of billions of people world wide. Issue, such as, global poverty, needs to be addressed and regarded to as high priority by all our candidates.
With our current defense budget costing the government over $500 billion dollars, a issue that can solved with $19 billion dollars seems minimal. It is time for this country to deserve a leader who will address this critical issue that affects 1.2 billion people everyday world wide.
Jack,
I can understand where the liar part comes from, although I believe that is being way to harsh. Lying implies that the individual has prior knowledge that what they are saying is false. Powell relied on his staff to vet the information he presented to the United Nations. Powell believed the information he was presenting was valid. Powell, in an interview with ABC News, accepted his part in the information failure. He felt as lied to by the system he worked for as the rest of the United States felt lied to. This is one of the reasons Powell left the administration after the first term ended.
The part about making a profit off the death of civilians is confusing at best. General Powell had no vested interest in the war in Iraq. He was assigned General during the first invasion. Saying the General Powell made money off the war is like saying any military member who served in Iraq has made money off the war. Your statement is way off base.
Powell's contribution reinforces my sense that McCain has the most overall practical experience and wisdom to offer the nation as president. This election must not devolve into a simplistic generation X or baby boomer popularity or beauty contest. Powell is the main reason I ever voted for Bush & Co. who subsequently sold him down the river, using him as a scapegoat to present the U.N. bogus "intelligence" about WMD to support their nefarious plans. I'm counting on all senior citizens to remember 20th century military history and use their tremendous voting power.
I respect both Powell and McCain but I don't respect someone they both supported. I will be looking elsewhere for the next president and the initials won't be R.P.
That figures! Since Powell make such an impassioned plea to go to war and McCain has always supported the war. Just 2 old people completely out of touch.
What a waste of money. I guess he feels sorry for the old fool.
Can you imagine Powell supporting any candidate other than McCain? You think he would send a $2,300 check to Romney, Guiliani, Obama, Edwards, or Clinton? Seriously.
I will never forget that UN Speech with the randitions of biological trailer trucks carrying chemicals weapons. I said to my son "that is funny, in the first Gulf War, they showed aerial/satellite photo's. I wonder what is up with the pencil drawings".
That was the moment for me. I remember it like it was yesterday.
I dropped support of my fellow alumni after his support of the illegal immigrant amenesty, but Powell is a very powerful figure who lends credibility to McCain. Good for him, he needs a boost after so much bad news.
You always give money and support to your friends.
Cash to help feed the staff and prevent the power from being shut off. Not what I call a powerful support statement
Colin Powell lost his credibility years ago. McCain's star power has faded. You are both history, fellows, and good riddance!
I used to think Powell was a bright man, but that was until now, any one backing Mccain, well it speaks for itself
Powell is another of Bush's merry band of miscreants. Wouldnt you know that he would contribute to the one candidate who most supports Bush policies.
Is it the kiss of death to have an endorsement by Powell, a person with little, if any, credibility after his complicity in taking America into an illegal war?
If only McCain could announce an agreement with Powell to put him on the ticket as Vice President, he'd regain his front-runner status for the nomination.
I wonder if Gen Powell simply owed McCain money? Like for a dinner or something.
Otherwise, McCain is too old and out of touch with what our generation requires. Gen Powell, although unknowingly, made a grevious error in his impassioned UN specticle and will live with its consequences for the rest of his life.
Old soldiers need to fade away in this case. How unforunate – both are very honorable men, in my opinion, and will continue to be.
I guess some folks are think of themselves as bullet-proof. Anyone criticizng Collin Powell for his participation in the Bush-Rove UN speeches falls within this category as far as I'm concerned.
He was lied to just like the rest of us... plain and simple.
Once he realized it he walked away from the administration. Who else has demonstrated that kind of credibilty?
Study his distinguished career and you'll realise he is one of the greatest living Americans regardless of his mistakes at the UN.
McCain obviously has no moral compass. He emulates Bush and, when that doesn't work, he says he'll go back to being a maverick. He's no maverick; he mush; or, better yet, McCave.
You have to respect the fact that this is the guy that general Powell is endorsing in the campaign . He's been a top official in the administration and he knows his politics and military .If he is giving money to McCain I believe it for a good reason , and I believe that you may find a lot more respectable and powerful republicans following suit .
General Powell has always been and still is a respected General. Even thought Bush/Cheny sent him as the "Goat" in getting into this war – oh come on now Bush, you think us Americans are so stupid that we don't know Powell was set up royally????
Whatever you are doing, God Bless you General Powell.
Waste of money
Colin Powell put loyalty to the President and to the GOP far above the loyalty he actually took an oath to defend (hint: USA). He willingly went to the UN knowing what his word meant and PUSHED us into war.
He should have walked away and resigned knowing this was a terrible decision and fighting the administration instead of cowardly hanging his head and going along for the ride.
All his accomplishments were washed away in my opinion and I will never look up to him again....
Two pathetic men!
One more reason to NOT like McCain.
Powell is a solder's solider. His will to do the right thing was chastised by the Bush administration and supported by Senator McCain.
Vet's like Powell and McCain understand what will happen if we lose in Iraq and are not willing to let left wing sheep sway them.