Ouch! Colin Powell Endorses Obama

     It has to hurt. McCain tried to criticize Powell for it-even after McCain gave Romney problems as well by demanding an apology from Mourdock. It's not just the endorsement-though it hurts. But when you listen to everything Powell says in making his case, your only reaction is ouch!

     "Former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed President Barack Obama for a second term Thursday."

    "You know, I voted for him in 2008 and I plan to stick with him in 2012, and I'll be voting for he and Vice President Joe Biden next month," he said on CBS' "This Morning."

     "Asked whether it was an endorsement, he said, "Yes."

      Powell praised the president's handling of the economy and ending of the Iraq War.

    "I think we ought to keep on the track we are on," he said.

     "Powell said he had the "utmost respect" for Mitt Romney, but criticized his tax plan.
He said Romney's foreign policy was a "moving target." "One day he has a certain strong view about staying in Afghanistan, but then on Monday night he agrees with the withdrawal. Same thing in Iraq. On every issue that was discussed on Monday night, Gov. Romney agreed with the president with some nuances. But this is quite a different set of foreign policy views than he had earlier in the campaign."

     These are two soundbites the Obama team must love. Keep on the track we are on and Romney's foreign policy is a "moving target."

      To the extent that Powell kind of represents the Center and moderation, this may help with some swing voters.

       McCain is now lashing out at Powell-though he hasn't been a model team player for Romney either during the Mourdock mess. He demanded an apology yesterday, however, now he says that what Mourdock said yesterday was already a true apology.

       "John McCain bitterly denounced former Secretary of State Colin Powell on Thursday for supporting President Obama for a second straight election."

      “General Powell, you disappoint us and you have harmed your legacy even further by defending what is clearly the most feckless foreign policy in my lifetime,” McCain told Brian Kilmeade on his radio program.

        http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/10/john-mccain-lashes-out-at-colin-powell-after-obama-endorsement.php?ref=fpb

         I kind of doubt Powell has harmed any legacy. And Romney certainly has the most feckless campaign positions on foreign policy anyway: as Powell says, just where does he stand:

         “I’m not quite sure which Gov. Romney we would be getting with respect to foreign policy,” Powell said, citing his shifting positions on Afghanistan, Iraq, and other key policy debates. He added that “my concern … is that sometimes I don’t sense that he has thought through these issues as thoroughly as he should have.”