Powell meets with McCain and Obama
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/07/01/art.powell.gi.jpg caption="Powell recently sat down with both presidential candidates."](CNN) - Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who remains a popular figure among Democrats and Republicans, recently sat down with both presidential candidates, CNN has confirmed.
The Hotline first reported the meeting earlier Tuesday.
According to an associate of Powell, the former Bush administration member and onetime chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff had "pleasant, private conversations" recently with both Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain. An Obama campaign source confirms the Illinois senator recently met with Powell. McCain's campaign has not returned a request for comment.
Watch: Powell says he's undecided
Powell has long praised Obama's candidacy and he told reporters recently in Vancouver he "would listen carefully to what both [candidates] have to say" before deciding whom to support.
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Colin Powell is a smart man. Surely he remembers how the Bush regime threw him to the wolves? McCain is Bush's 3rd term. End of story. Powell will endorse Obama soon, but I don't think he will be Obama's V.P. pick. Probably something like Secretary of State...
he'd be a good vp.
I thought the polls indicated that educated people vote for Obama? Sure couldn't tell that by the daily posts in support of him. Basic grammar, spelling, punctuation and sentence structure is sorely lacking!
Vote for Obama and dumbing of America! Hip Hop Hooray!
You have to give Gen. Powell credit for getting out of the corrupt Bush/ Cheney administration while the getting was good. A man of character who wanted nothing to do with those two criminals.
For all of you lined up at the Cool Aid stand, you have no idea who Colin Powell is. This is a man who believes that personal responsibility is way for success and not through more government programs. It is a shame that he is not running for president. Obama could use him, but Obama is NO Powell.
Careful Colin ...
Despite your supreme service to your country as National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Architect of the Desert Storm victory, Distinguished Secretary of State AND LOYAL soldier in Bush's 1st term ...
If you back Senator Obama, you'll be just another black person that irrationally is following the pied piper, mixer of the Kool-aid, Svengali, Barack Obama.
I'm glad you've got a nice pension as a soldier, hopefully a nice one from being Secretary of State and book proceeds sitting in T-bills. If anyone can tell the GOP Mean Machine to take a flying leap ... it's you.
McCain also admitted he cannot use a personal computer....
If he is this far behind the times,????
Powell supporting Obama...priceless.
Powell and Obama ticket...CLINCHER!
Powell the dope who sold the Iraq war to the UN would be a great Obama VP. Go McCain!!
With Powell on Obama's ticket ... by every right ... the election should be over ...
If Americans couldn't get fully behind THAT TEAM there is no hope for this country and people would not be voting based on merit.
I'd almost like to see him run with Obama just to hear what nonsense the GOP Mean Machine would come up with.
Do it General. The Bush administration and GOP exploited your good name and credibility to make the Iraqi war case to the UN for them that they COULD NOT make because they lack your integrity.
Kevin-Seattle July 1st, 2008 6:28 pm ET
Now wouldn't Powell be a great VP for Obama?
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Indeed he would.
Obama is too strategic to pick a black running mate. McCain on the other hand, would have a substantially greater chance of a general election victory with Powell on the ticket.
Obama would have to choose a running mate that is white, Christian, and has strong military or foreign policy experience to offset those that are reluctant to change.
Either way, this is shaping-up to be an interesting race and Independents like myself and still waiting to decide.
A lot rest on who the VP choice is.
Opinions are one thing, but please back them up with WHY you support your opinion. It is interesting to see CNN moderators post commentaries that are meaningless and leave nothing for deliberation.
I HATE SO and SO....say WHY and support your opinion.
Plus, people need to learn how to spell, or have we forgotten?
ancal tom sits with ancal flavor flav
Do you remember when the convervative senators from the republican party held a news conference defiant against a run by Powell in 2000? Well payback is hell republicans.you had your chance to prove you were the big tent party! Powell for Obama 08
The closet (and not so closet) racists in this country would have hissy fits if Powell were selected as Obama's VP. With any luck, they'd load up their trucks and head out of the country. I for one think Powell and Obama would make an extremely powerful combination. Both well educated, thoughtful, very intelligent, and very savvy. What a dream team! (and no, I'm not African American). Powell is the "bridge" guy who can bring Republicans to the table. I hope Obama is carefully considering him....
McCain will piss on your head and tell you it rain!!!!
bush...never again dont vote McCain
I believe both McCain and Obama would be HONORED to have Powell as VP.
I was actually waiting for this article to be published on the political ticker... I've been waiting...
I think Powell is just giving both candidates some foreign policy advice.
I'm of the opinion that Gen. Powell got shafted by the Bush inner circle and was NOT a knowing participant in the lies and mis-information that led up to invading Iraq. I do hope that nothing comes out that will prove me wrong. I respect his opinion, although it may, or may not influnce me. (I would need to hear his logic first.)
General Powell, you know how the Republicans have tricked the American people. Don't let them do it again with McBush
Power would make the better President and Obama the VP.
COME ON McCAIN HERE IS YOUR CHANCE. GRAB THIS MAN WHILE YOU HAVE A CHANCE. THIS IS THE MAN I HAVE BEEN YELLING FOR. HE IS A LEADER OF LEADERS. THIS MAN HAS ALL THE FOREIGN POLICY, SECURITY, ECONOMY AND LEADERSHIP ABILITY OF ANY MAN IN THIS COUNTRY. MAKE HIM YOUR VP. DON'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER GRAB HIM WHILE YOU CAN. PLEASE GENERAL POWELL I SERVED UNDER YOU AS MY COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE ARMY. I KNOW WHAT KIND OF LEADER YOU ARE. THIS IS ONE WHITE MAN THAT WILL JUMP TO BE ON YOU BAND WAGON. DON'T JOIN UP WITH OBAMA THE MAN WILL ONLY TAKE YOU DOWN. HE IS CORRUPT. YOU ARE ABOVE THAT. I DO KNOW FOR A FACT YOU HAVE THE PEOPLE'S INTEREST TO HEART. YOU WILL NOT COMMIT TROOPS UNLESS THEY ARE NEEDED. IF THEY ARE AND YOU ARE PART OF THE COMMITTING THEN THE PEOPLE OF AMERICA BETTER STAND BEHIND YOU ALL THE WAY. I KNOW YOU WILL NOT WITHDRAW UNTIL IT'S TIME. GOD BLESS YOU AND KNOW THIS IS ONE WHITE MAN WHO LOVES YOU AND WILL BACK YOU FROM DAY ONE.
So is Obama ever going to do another debate?
Just speeches from now on???
Ok, I can't resist
Histories Heir and Spare
This would be a GREAT ticket, but there are those that would cling to their guns and religion . . . . and bed sheets to keep it from happening.
Whether a VP pick or a side line endorser, Powell commands attention.