WASHINGTON (CNN) – Former Secretary of State Colin Powell told reporters Friday that he enjoys his private life, and that he does not want a job with the incoming administration.
Powell, who crossed party lines weeks before the general election to endorse Obama, has said before that he is not interested in working for the soon-to-be president. Powell is currently an honorary co-chair of Obama’s Presidential Inaugural Committee.
“I am very happy in private life, thank you very much, and I'm trying to be as helpful as I can to the president-elect and the vice president-elect,” Powell told reporters Friday. “I look forward to assisting in anyway that I can, but I have not been offered a job, and I've kind of made it clear that I am not looking for a position.”
Powell also praised incoming Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and called her “the most distinguished public servant.”
“I am a very close friend of hers, and I congratulate her selection and appointment as Secretary of State,” Powell said. “I think she'll do a very, very - a very, very fine job.”
Powell spoke at a Washington event Friday unveiling an Obama community service program and the web site USAservice.org, an online tool to publicize available service projects and connect volunteers with non-profit organizations.
From CNN Politics
© 2011 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Contact us | Work for us | Help
Even though they tried to ridicule you Mr. Powell-YOU came out strong. Many were jealous of your endorsement. Keep tight to your convictions and stay out of this administration. That would only make you a hypocrite. If you are a true republican and I think you are-you are doing the right thing.
Powell is damaged goods.
He prostituted himself for Bush and got a political STD for his efforts.
Let him stay in private practice of whatever it is he does these days.
I suspect that Gen. Powell would not have been appointed "honorary co-chair" if he had given his support to McCain. Partisan handouts are not exclusive to the Republicans.
I would love to see Colin Powell in the Obama administration. He has a lot to offer.
It is good he is not seeking, they think is a a Bush Republican.
Why would he be looking for a job?
He already served our Nation. Another waste of ink.
Colin Powell is a Honorable Man
We NEED Gen. Collin in this Administration. He's got the military and political saavy that we need. He's cool as a cucumber, like someone else we know and he's very, VERY smooth and charismatic.
a good amn and a great leader it is a shame that we cannot use him in this administration we need all the help we can get to clean up after the bushes
idiots
Hmm he is a close friend of Hillary? who would have thought that. I mean during the primaries Hillary and Bill were villified as racists wonder why her very good friend didn't speak up for her or did I miss when he spoke up about that.
Powell is an honourable man!!
I was hoping Colin Powell would be considered for the CIA position but I understand sometime you need someone from the outside to see things with a fresh eye. I think Leon Pinneta will do a great job.
Obama will do the right thing for this country. I wish folks would step back and take a deep breath then they would see he has the smarts to navigate through the muck.
damaged goods, indeed. he shouldn't have presented something that he was uncertain of. especially of that magnitude. he could've refused. caused a stink. stepped down, whatever. think about it. if he did and things played out the way they have, we might be saying president elect powell, but no. his gamble. his loss. also, isn't this the 3rd or 4th time he's said he's not looking for an administration job. yeah. i believe that.
I doubt that Powell would be interested in public life again. After the Bush fiasco, I am sure he is rather sick of political service!
If he did, would probably do a good job. I admire him for getting out of the Bush Administration once he discovered that they wrong on every issue and lying period!
He was screwed by the Bush admin and has had enough.
GO AWAY
GOOD! At this point he is NOBODY in the scheme of things - could have been, but blew it !!!!!!!!!!!
America still needs your wisdom!
Powell will go any way the winds blow in his favor. Another washtonian RINO!
I think Powell would have been an awesome Sec. of State under the Obama Administration. I know he did it once before for one of the Bush's but am sure he would do better under the far more solid leadership that PE Obama will provide.
Who cares.
Gen. Powell has too much staure in the world to be simply sitting on the sidelines while the U.S. is in such a mess. Yes; he lost some credibility for his support of Bush policies officially; but if you read between the lines he was the only one trying to stop Rumsfeld and Cheney from even more idiotic actions. You cannot allow a man with his intelligence to just fade away. Colin Powell; as a good soldier I hope and pray you will continue to serve your nation as well as you did in the legendary "Desert Storm" campaign. That kind of leadership does not come along every day.
Who?
Nobody believes you collie boy! Proven Fact!
were all the war criminal spots taken in the administration.
The man lied before the UN to get us into Iraq, why is he still in the public eye, he should be haning his head in shame.
Thank you 4Star General Powell.
Sad what the Bush administration did as a betrayal that they did not listen to the warning of 9-11 or Iraq fiasco!!!!
THANK YOU 4STAR GENERAL POWELL....A TRUE AMERICAN HERO!!!!
Powell made mistakes but he is still a person to be recognised!
No one knows quite what to make of a true, non-partisan. This country is too divided, too sick, too filled with the venom of O'Reilly, Limbaugh, & Hannity to see the value of an altruistic person.
I pray that one day we will return to being "one nation, under God," rather than the hate-filled place we have become.
You are a good man and you can serve in many ways!!
"Go away" is the best for him.
"Powell is damaged goods...let him stay in private life..." sounds good.
General Powell is disgraceful person as U.S. Army.
For Gosh sakes, Colin Powell, please make yourself available to President-Elect Obama and VP Biden. A position in the new administration filled by Colin Powell, is exactly what we need. Mr. Powell was one of the few in the Bush administration that actually made the right decisions. If Powell would have had his say, we may never have gone to war with Iraq. We need more like him, a strong, intelligent, decisive leader.
The best President we never had.
Just go away. I for one have had enough of the ultimate, “go along to get along man.” I still remember you UN presentation.
A little mathematical observation...
Comments on the Palin story...149
Comments on all other stories...174
Draw your own conclusions..
I think this is a shame , Obama and Powell together would be an unstoppable team !!!
Don't blame Powell. He did the honorable thing and resigned when it became apparent we went to war in Iraq based on lies perpetuated by the Bush administration. He is enjoying his private life and he deserves it. He is a terrific motivational speaker and I hope he continues his good work for as many years as he has the ability and strength. We could do a whole lot worse than Colin Powell.
I never comment but LMAO at the comment MIkeh made. Powell is a good guy but got caught in bad situation. He's one of the most knowlegeable people in the country in turns of foreign military policy
Bush-Cheney-rumsfeld destroyed powell.
I can't understand the animosity toward Colin Powell who has served his country and is continuing to do so. I'm a professional in the health care field and I plan on volunteering in any capacity needed on MLK Day...and will do so on a regular basis. We need as Americans to support the idea of individual responsibility and community service no matter who won the election. I'm sure John McCain, who wants what's best for America, is supporting both General Powell and President-Elect Obama.
Since Powell's lies to the UN and Congress and the American people about WMDs were CRUCIAL to Bush being able to launch his unprovoked, illegal and immoral war on Iraq that has cost this nation dearly in both blood and treasure, while getting 1.2 MILLION Iraqis killed, this traitor belongs in a war crimes trial, not this or any other administration. That he can be "very happy in private life", with so much blood on his hands, indicates he has one cold soul. And to think that years ago I saw him as an honorable hero.
Colin Powell went to Haiti in1994 to negociate the return of Jean Bertrand Aristide to power. Aristide was a Catholic priest in trouble with the Vatican for preaching violence before becoming president (priest-president). Colin Powell and B.Clinton knew who Aristide was but they didn't care. They had the guts to make the world believe they had returned Democracy to Haiti. Aristide was no angel.
To all those that said Powell was just kissing up to Obama by endorsing him to get a job in his administration.. and you know who you are... chew on that for a while. People always jumping to conclusions here.
Powell will always respond to demand for service. He should serve as an honorary chair of....some suitable role at White House...he brings dignity and integrity to White House...perhaps he can take a command role to withdraw US forces from Iraq systematically.
Too bad. He's one of the best things the Republicans have going. I would vote for him for president in a second.
Powell is as genuine as the Gaza video.
Powell states he isn't looking for a job but will be helpful in any way he can. That's more than others can say because they have no solution but they are very helpful in negativity. If you don't have a solution to our nations problems then don't be a part of the problem.
Powell seems to be someone who transcends party lines and I respect him at least. Damaged goods? Last I heard the current administration screwed most of us, why is Colin any different?!
oh pity. he's too confusing anyway.
General Colin Powell is a great man. He does not deserve ANY derogatory remarks. Wish he had run for President , he would have been outstanding in such a position.
An American who served on behalf of the country honorably his entire career, until he also ran into the Bush Train Wreck called "a faux government". I respect Powell, and I have to say I believe his endorsement for Obama carried for more weight for at least some of the electorate then most of the others in the campaign. I know it resonated with all my friends both in and out of the military, it was much discussed and I think quite influential. To all the Powell bashers – don't discount a person and not look at the entire breadth of their career. Best of luck to you in your future endeavors Colin Powell.
Colin Powell needed to check out obama's website and he could have joined in the fun game of throwing shoes at a cutout of President Bush. Wonder what he'll say when they invite him to a game of who can spit watermelon seeds into the mouth of a cutout of obama? You're all invited to join in the fun since you love games.
Amen John S. Ditto Double from me. They would not print what I had to say about Mr. Powell , not that it was improper, it was just true. To anybody on here who takes up for this criminal. See John S. statement.
Powell stepped up big time on Meet the Press when it counted. I love all the fat losers in their boxer shorts sitting there, eating their cheese doodles, typing away on their low-end Dells, criticizing everyone. Do they really think anyone cares what they think?
The effects of the Bush Administration no doubt.Why would he ever work for another politician after Bush and Cheney made him look like a fool in front of the UN?Heck,the whole world!Another casualty of the War in Iraq.What a shame.He could have been an even greater help to this country than he has already been.
I have to agree with many of the posts.
Powell is irrevocably "damaged goods".
Too bad.... he really had alot going for him.
The Iraq War has been SUCH A DISASTER!.
And Powell got up before the U.N. with satellite photos saying
"yeah, here's some WMD, oh...and over here, there's yet more"
Nobody should be allowed to harm this country to such an extent and EVER!!!! show his face in public again (Bush, Cheney...this means you too)
Well that is good for Obama, Powell has a loyalty problem.
Peggy, Powell did a very good job in Haiti and Clinton wasn't in power at that time. So get the fact.
You lost your bid for ever, Sir!
He is smart enough to know he was lying to you.
Are you smart enough to catch on? A lot of average Joes like myself knew it was a lie. Are you really thinking that a man is his position didn't know the truth. Someone said they hoped he would get the CIA job. Christ!! He should be on a plane with Cheney and Bush on the way to the Hague. He was a man I admired. Now, just a another Bush scumbag.
duuh Powell...Hillary will do AWESOME thank you!
who is going to be the Secretary of Common Sense? the cost of 117 mile train trip because of "tradition",? why don't the spend the funds on the infractrure they are using instead? duh
Had this man been a candidate for President I would have readily voted for him. But unfortunately I was not presented with that opportunity. I find the current victor to be most distasteful and arrogant. I highly doubt that he will succeed in the position.
Ok. So what?
What's the big deal?
Huh?
To endorse someone offering a viable option than from whom wherein you loyalty lies offers naught viable option means crossing party lines?
Powell isn't a Republican, so stop saying that. He's a liberal opportunist looking for a job!
LET OBAMA KEEP HIS BLACKBERRY!
I NEED A PRESIDENT WHO IS CONNECTED TO ME.
US.
Powell is like a towel. Overated. What did he accomplish when he was in Bush admin?
Colin Powell is and will ever be an honorable man. It's a shame that the rest of the conservative/Republican ilk can't be more like him.
I don't think Powell 'initally' knew about the lies...remember...he did leave the adminstration...and my view he did this when he 'knew' things were lies or wronged. Look back in his past media speeches .. he let his dissatisfaction known. Give the guy some credit....
As long as Mr. Powell is close by to share his expertise when needed....I understand his decision. Mr. Powell you are also a distinguished public servant..
Colin Powell is a very decent man, but perhaps he was too much the soldier at the wrong time. He is beyond rehabilitation for that solitary UN delivery leading up to the pointless war in Iraq. He did not do it for power or money but simply to support his commanding officer, like the good soldier he was trained to be. Unfortunately, at that time he was Secretary of State and not a soldier, with an obligation to the nation he served that far exceeded his presumed loyalty to Bush. Maybe one day he will redeem himself, but it appears that the opportunity to do so will not be given to him.
Dilemma.
On one hand, I admire and respect Colin Powell. The VushAdministration wasn't very good for alot of people and he DID resign, after all, when he found out they lied to him and used him at the U.N.. Everybody makes mistakes.
But what a huge mistake. Huge.
I still think that Colin Powell is an honorable man. I can not explain why.... You can just feel it.
Bush and his dogs used Powell for their purposes. I think Powell thought he was severing his country, while the war machine used his good name. Those dogs should burn in hell.
I trusted Powell when he spoke to the UN. But I think that he was lied to just like the rest of the world.
Powell belongs in the current government.
Iraq has been a stunning success no matter how it is measured. It must pain the Obama butt lickers that a free and democrat government is rising in Iraq. You Obamist are happiest when you know an oppresive and fascist regime has its foot on your throat. Your Messiah is going to place his foot on your throat on January 20th. Idiots.
Colin Powell, Is a traitor to his principles and his party. The Democrats can have him.
Bob - here's my conclusion: you have way too much time on your hands, buddy
I lost respect for you supporting Obama Powell! Don't call yourself a Republican and don't let others call you one either. Stay away from the light!
I am truly dismayed by all the bile I see here for Mr. Powell. For everything that he's done for this country, the doors he helped open for African Americans, and his decades of public service, he deserves better than this, and I am ashamed by what so many here have to say.
And yes, he erred in going before the U.N. with the intelligence he had in hand. But he erred on the side of doing the job he was asked to do, and trusting those in leadership positions above him. Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld used Powell's reputation and clout to push their agenda, that much is obvious now. It is also obvious to anyone paying attention that Powell was the lone voice of reason in Bush's inner circle; An inner circle that ignored every tenant of the "Powell Doctrine" when they took us to war.
He is an honorable and decent man who did the right thing by resigning when it became apparent that he had helped advance an unjustified war. If anyone deserves our forgiveness, it is Colon Powell.
Whatever negative comment may be said about Mr. Powell, he has both the guts and integrity to live with conviction.
If Powell hadn't fall into Bush's trap by joining him in his administration , he could have been the president today. A well calculated move by Bush to avoid a potential contender to run against him. Then they killed his legacy by throwing in into the well by letting him make the presentation of fake intelligence reports on the wmd in Iraq. There is no such things as being a " good trooper" in politics.
At least he get back at some by backing Obama. And now supporting Clinton. Quite a switch from a republican.
He should be the secretary of state for Obama's second term. Obama will tire of Hillary in four years. Obviously, Bill did.