Powell to Endorse Obama at Convention?

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, a Republican, is said to be planning to endorse Barack Obama at the Democratic convention in Denver later this month.

Citing "sources," Weekly Standard Editor Bill Kristol told FOX News today that Powell: "May well give a speech at the Democratic convention explaining his endorsement of Obama."

"This is not an absolute done deal, but these people are very confident that Powell will endorse Obama," Kristol said, adding that he thinks Powell still has "a high respect" for John McCain, the Republican nominee for president.

But Powell spokeswoman Peggy Cifrino denied the report.

"There's absolutely no truth to it whatsoever," Cifrino told FOXNews.com. "Colin Powell will not be at either convention. There's absolutely no truth to this."

Roll Call Executive Editor Mort Kondracke told FOX that Powell personally denied the report to him and said he has made no endorsement decisions.

Powell also told ABC News today that he won't even be going to the Democratic conventions. "I do not have time to waste on Bill Kristol's musings," Powell told ABC News. "I am not going to the convention. I have made this clear."

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PD toolbar!Powell did not, however, entertain any follow-up questions as to whether he would endorse Obama.

CNN Chief National Correspondent John King reported at 6:40 p.m. tonight that two sources close to Powell say he hasn't yet made up his mind. One of those sources said Powell would like to endorse McCain, but hasn't yet been convinced that's the right decision. Another source said he wouldn't be surprised if Powell supported Obama. Powell has told both candidates privately that he wants to see who each chooses as their vice presidential picks, and their tone on the trail, among other things.

CNN also reported that McCain's camp asked Powell to attend the GOP conventions, but he declined. The Obama campaign has been mum on the whole issue.

If in fact Powell does cross party lines and endorse the Illinois senator, it might not be a huge surprise.
Powell, more liberal than many of his GOP counterparts, particularly on social issues, recently acknowledged that he was advising Obama on foreign policy, and said he had met with Obama several times, at the candidate's request. In February, he said he was weighing his options in the White House race, telling CNN: "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."

He then praised Obama, adding: "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 ... I think he is worth listening to and seeing what he stands for."

The New York Times last month reported that Powell has a friendship of decades with McCain, but friends said he felt excluded from the Arizona senator's foreign policy operation and was impressed when Obama called on him in June. Powell met with both McCain and Obama around the same time.


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