http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

The entire program and complete transcript of Meet the Press are available on-line. The Powell endorsement will resonate with quite a few voters who are far from liberal. I think this was a very important conversation, not just for the soundbites.

During the course of the interview, General Powell expressed disappointment in campaign attacks based on faith and race. He referred to a fallen soldier deployed from Fort Lewis, Washington. Specialist Kareem R. Khan was killed by a roadside bomb.

I agree with Powell. In the polarity of these times, it is important to remember that Muslims are also patriots who die for our country. Kareem was a brave twenty-year old kid from New Jersey. Fanning the flames of xenophobia is un-American.

I finally watched the Meet the Press interview with Powell and his endorsement. Wow, he sums up the case for Obama really, really well. I should think that it's pretty devastating to McCain's quest for swing voters, since Powell is surely one of those figures with great appeal to independents.

Powell's tenure in the Bush administration is one of the most tragic of any in Bush's first term. He was one of the few people (like Paul O'Neill) who seemed to have a conscience. Powell was clearly torn by loyalty to his president and a duty to speak out and oppose a policy (the Iraq war) he disagreed with. He's a military man; he chose loyalty. His infamous UN testimony must be devastating for him to look back on; it tarnishes an otherwise stellar career.

I don't blame Powell for going along with his president, but of course I'm disappointed he like so many Democrats in Congress didn't stand up and say, "This is wrong." Resigning in protest wasn't his style. I do think he was lied to like everyone else about the WMDs stuff, and he did insist before giving his UN speech that everything have a good source - and he discarded much lots of other false material. But it wasn't good enough, obviously.

I wonder what Powell's role might be in an Obama administration. In some sense I would like to see him as Secretary of State again, just to give him a chance to redeem himself. I'm guessing he was well liked and respected at State and they might welcome him back there under a new president who isn't going to lead by "bullying" and by his gut. But, I do think Powell's career in government is over.

Andrew

I do think he was lied to like everyone else about the WMDs stuff,

But man, if there was anyone ever so uniquely qualifed in the Bush admin to know whether the stuff was factual or not (never mind having the resources to find out), it would have been him.

He can redeem himself somewhat by writing a book and exposing Bush for exactly who he is. The fact that he hasn't done so while Bush is still president tarnishes his image further. The country would have benefit if Bush was forced to clean up his act while in office.

Powell was not in intelligence, and until Condi Rice took over the State Department, it was kind of the bastard step-child in the Bush Administration. Rumsfeld managed to get control of intelligence loop and CIA was forced to compete just to stay relevant. Powell was always considered an outsider and never had much clout, thus probably never had the kind of inside access others would have had.

To be fair, Powell did say "bullshit!" to a lot of the intelligence that was presented to him to give in his UN speech. I think, like so many others, he simply presumed that Iraq had WMDs and therefore when we found them after the invasion whether or not the actual intelligence given at the UN - as long it was somewhat reliable - would be irrelevant once stockpiles of chemical and bio weapons were unearthed.

I fault Powell less for the UN speech than for his unwillingness to stand up and say, "This Iraq war is wrong" at the time when he could have made a huge difference. He forgot he was no longer in the US Army and was now a public servant obligated not only to his president's best interests but also to his country's.

Andrew

"Resigning in protest wasn't his style."

I bet it comes out more post-Bush administration that Powell didn't exactly "resign", like a lot of people inside the Bush White House didn't just "resign", they were forced out because their viewpoints differed with Dubya.

Yes, Powell ultimately listened to his boss and toed the company line, but his conscience ultimately led him the right away, whether it was voluntary or otherwise.

I would love to see Powell in a prominent role in the Obama administration, maybe Secretary of State or Defense ... IMHO, those two would work wonders together.

I have always had respect for Powell. Like I posted before, he was tested huge by the Bush administration, and didn't pass. A whole lot of us wouldn't pass though, so he's human.

What I seriously appreciate about this is the thought he put into it. Powell has the strength of character to look back and look hard and not deny what he sees. He's also got the strength to change things up, based on that, in the hopes he's on a better path.

Doing that is very difficult for anybody. Doing that given his stature and the seriousness of his blunders and their cost is very, very difficult. Can any of us honestly say we were strong enough to go the route he has?

It would have been so easy to just buy in all the way. Surrender himself and just become part of the club. That club would have taken care of him, provided support and lies needed to wake up and feel good each day.

Powell didn't do that.

Good on him for his strength. Bet he wakes up each day, maybe not feeling as good as he could, but good enough to walk strong and hope for better times to come.