Colin Powell Suggests He Might Vote Democrat Against Republican Nominee

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell has hinted the GOP may not get his vote in the 2008 Presidential election in remarks that contained some thinly-disguised barbs aimed at President George Bush:

Former US secretary of state Colin Powell said Sunday he was weighing his options in the 2008 White House race, hinting he may cross party lines and vote against the Republican nominee.

“I will vote for the candidate I think can do the best job in America. Whether that candidate is a Republican or Democrat or an independent,” Powell told CNN’s “Late Edition.”

“Frankly, we lost a lot in recent years,” Powell added in a swipe at the administration of President George W. Bush, under whom he served as secretary of state from 2001 to 2005.

And his comments contained what some will see as even more suggestions that he is not pleased with the tenor of American foreign policy under the second George Bush:

Powell, a top general and former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, said he would vote for the candidate with a vision “that starts to restore confidence in America. That starts to restore favorable ratings to America.”

“I am going to be looking for the candidate that seems to me to be leading a party that is fully in sync with the candidate and a party that will also reflect America’s goodness and America’s vision.”

At the same time, he had some nice things to say about Democratic Senator Barack Obama, but made it clear (a) he doesn’t agree with Obama on everything and (b) he’s not ready to endorse anyone (yet):

He also praised Democratic hopeful Barack Obama, who is also an African-American, and locked in a battle for the White House nomination with Hillary Clinton.

“I think he’s been an exciting person on the political stage. He has energized a lot of people in America. He has energized a lot of people around the world,” Powell told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer.

“And so I think he is worth listening to and seeing what he stands for.”

But Powell added he did not share all Obama’s views, nor did he completely share the views of the other candidates.

“I think every American has an obligation right now at this moment in our history to look at all the candidates and to make a judgment not simply on the basis of ideology or simply on the basis of political affiliation but on the basis of who is the best person for all of America and which party and what does that party look like?” Powell added.

Powell is the great might-have-been of American politics.

He had been a rising star in the administration of the first President George Bush, and his philosophy fit in well with that administration. Several members of the first Bush administration have expressed unhappiness with the policies of the present Bush administration, but Powell was always the good political soldier as well as the good soldier.

He had been talked about for years as a possible Presidential or Vice Presidential candidate, but his political stock fell when he defended the war in Iraq. Ironically, by all accounts Powell was marginalized and even somewhat humiliated within the present Bush administration as he fought a losing battle that pitted him against the then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Vice President Dick Cheney, two of the administrations most pro-active hawks.

The Swamp (which has a transcript of the CNN interview) notes:

CNN showed an interview with former Gen. Colin Powell last night in which the former secretary of state played his cards close to his chest when Wolf Blitzer asked him who he’d be supporting for president.

But based on his comments about the need for a presidential candidate who could repair America’s standing in the world, Powell at times seemed to be indicating a strong inclination towards Sen. Barack Obama.

And he also appeared to send a signal to Republicans that he wouldn’t look kindly on the party if Sen. John McCain became the nominee and many conservatives decided not to rally behind the senator from Arizona.

Why does all this matter?

To a lot of people, Powell is indicative of the independent-thinking Republican who could be a moderate or conservative but is not a lockstep supporter no matter what of the current Republican faction that now controls the Republican party and the White House. Despite a reputation diminished by his (losing) White House battles and argument that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction before the United Nations, he remains a highly appealing and credible figure to independent voters who have also shown an affinity for McCain, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and others who don’t quite fit into the “sports team” partisan mode.

If he makes it known during the campaign that he’s going to vote for a Democrat, it could be something factored in by independent voters — voters who are increasingly necessary in winning elections.