powell will miss RNC convention

[zimv20]

link (http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A46593-2004Aug6?language=printer)


The most popular Republican in the country will not be speaking at the Republican National Convention. The party's number one asset, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, will not even be there -- and may not be in the United States, according to U.S. officials.

Throughout the Bush presidency, Powell has consistently scored better than his boss in public opinion polls, often by 20 points or more. In an NBC-Wall Street Journal poll in May, Powell was viewed favorably by 69 percent of respondents -- compared with 49 percent for President Bush and 39 percent each for Vice President Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.

But in keeping with tradition, Cabinet officials do not speak at the conventions -- or other campaign events. So Powell will not appear.

"As secretary of state, I am obliged not to participate in any way, shape, fashion, or form in parochial, political debates. I have to take no sides in the matter," Powell told the Unity: Journalists of Color Convention on Thursday. Powell was a featured speaker at the 2000 convention and even campaigned with Bush.

(more)

[themadchemist]

If Bush wins ( :eek: ), I bet Powell will miss the second term, too.

[blackfox]

If Bush wins ( :eek: ), I bet Powell will miss the second term, too.
I believe he has stated as much...in fact, I believe Rice has not signed up for a potential second term with Bush either...(please correct me if I am wrong.)

[yellow]

"Miss" is a euphemism for "wouldn't support this [insert derogatory Dubya term here] if his life depended upon it and therefore opted to skip the"

Personally I have a lot of respect for Powell and feel sorry for the role he was forced to play in the current administration.

[Neserk]

Personally I have a lot of respect for Powell and feel sorry for the role he was forced to play in the current administration.


He always has the right to say "NO!"

[SuperChuck]

I hear whispers that the country's most popular Republican is eyeing the other side of the aisle.

Normally, I wouldn't post unsubstantiated gossip without a source, but hey, this is a rumor site.

[zimv20]

I hear whispers
where do you hear these whispers?

[SuperChuck]

I'm working on a campaign, and people talk. Please don't take this too seriously. I think it's conjecture, personally. The GOP has really given him the shaft lately and the neo-cons are not fond of his views.

This is a page 2 rumor, at best.

[yellow]

He always has the right to say "NO!"

I don't think that's necessarily true (to an extent). When you're a GOP big-wig and Secretary of State, it doesn't look good when you say no or publicly speak out again your boss. Who knows what he's said no to in the cabinet? Who knows what sort of pressure has been brought to bare on him? He's done some excellent things for the world, but he's also had to spew some foolishness.
I've seen him speak a few times and I've always been impressed by his intelligence, his eloquence, and his honesty. Despite the fact that he plays for the 'wrong side', I would have seriously considered him as a viable candidate for President. I know that'll never happen..

[Neserk]

I disagree. He could have, worst case scenerio, resigned his position and taken the consequences. It is a moral decision. Sometimes those have consequences. But the consequences of making a moral decision are much less damaging than the consequences of giving in.

[IJ Reilly]

Powell is a self-confessed team player. Not that there's anything inherently wrong with that, but evidently it's very much in his character to not fight what he believes to be lost political battles. He's effectively trapped in an administration that keeps him around essentially as a figure-head with little real influence on policy because he's not a fighter for principles. I believe Powell is in the process of destroying any higher political ambitions he might have.