What would Powell endorsement mean for Obama?
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FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
For a moment there, it looked like Colin Powell was going to endorse Barack Obama.
But the former Secretary of State has denied a report that he would publicly back the Democrat for president at the party's convention. Several sources say he hasn't made up his mind yet, and Powell himself insists he won't be going to the convention in Denver. However, despite Powell's immediate denials, the reporter who broke the story on Fox News yesterday stands by it – saying that the Obama people expect Powell to endorse him.
Powell indicated earlier this year that he was considering endorsing a Democrat or Independent. He said he was keeping his options open and called Obama an "exciting person on the political stage."
An adviser to Powell says that he likes and admires John McCain, which would factor into any decision he makes. But another source close to Powell says although he's known the Arizona senator for over 30 years, he hasn't found a reason to vote for him yet. That's not such an encouraging sign if you're John McCain.
One of the things Powell is waiting for is the vice presidential picks from both candidates. A Powell aide says that a decision to back Obama wouldn't be a surprise, but a decision to attend the Democratic convention would be.
Nonetheless, for Obama, hope springs eternal. As long as Powell hasn't said no, the possibility remains that one of the most popular people in this country could still come out and support him.
Here’s my question to you: What would Colin Powell's endorsement mean for Barack Obama?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
McCain condemns Russia, supports Iraq invasion
Click the play button to see what Jack and our viewers had to say. (PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
"In the 21st century, nations don't invade other nations."
So says John McCain, as part of his tough talk about Russia's attacks on Georgia. In calling for Russia to get out, McCain says he doesn't think we'll reignite the Cold War, but that you can't justify the "extent and degree" of Russia's intervention in Georgia. The presumptive Republican nominee insists that we need to make sure that in the 21st century, we all have respect for the sovereignty and independence of nations.
Watch: Cafferty: McCain a hypocrite?
Say what? The United States invaded the sovereign nation of Iraq more than 5 years ago. And you, Senator McCain, were all for the idea. You voted for the war, remember? At the time, McCain insisted that the U.S. needed to act before Saddam Hussein could develop more advanced weapons. And since then, McCain has remained steadfast in his support of arguably the biggest foreign policy blunder in the history of this country. At one point, McCain said U-S troops could remain in Iraq, a sovereign nation, for 100 years.
When it comes to punishing Russia for its actions, the Arizona Senator says its potential membership in the World Trade Organization should be reviewed along with its membership in the G-8. He believes an international peacekeeping mission should be sent to Georgia and that NATO should re-consider adding Georgia and Ukraine to the alliance.
Here’s my question to you: Is John McCain hypocritical to condemn Russia for invading Georgia when he voted to invade Iraq?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Can swift boat author sink two Democrats?
Author of swift boat book that attacked John Kerry in 2004 is now going after Barack Obama. (PHOTO CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES)
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Summertime and the swift boats are sailing.
The author of the book that attacked John Kerry's record on a Vietnam War Swift boat, and ultimately torpedoed his campaign, is now going after Barack Obama.
Jerome Corsi is out with "The Obama Nation", which will debut at number 1 on the New York Times best-seller list this Sunday. It portrays Obama as a radical liberal who's tried to cover up his connections to Islam. The book also questions whether Obama's drug use as a youngster ever ended. Real nice stuff.
Critics say that a lot of the book's accusations are unsubstantiated or just not true. Corsi has a record of putting out lots of wild theories in other books that call into question his credibility. And, Obama's campaign says the book is "nothing but a series of lies that were long ago discredited".
Nonetheless, political attack books – like "Unfit for Command" about John Kerry – have become a pretty effective tool in campaigns. The former Democratic presidential candidate was criticized for responding too late to the swift boat attacks.
This is why Kerry along with some of his former top aides say the Democrats have to fight back hard and quickly this time around. Kerry launched a web site yesterday questioning the claims in Corsi's book. And, his former chief strategist says Obama's campaign has to "debunk every single assertion" in the book, although he acknowledges it's a fine line to walk in not drawing too much attention to the book in the process.
Here’s my question to you: Can the author of the swift boat book sink two Democrats in a row?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
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