This is another person from whom I do not need or want any kind words.

Not only did he lie straight up to the country and the world, now we find out he was there when torture was discussed in detail.

Please keep your nice words to yourself, Colin. The only thing I want to hear from you is your testimony in a war crimes trial.

I bet you're fun at dinner parties ... :)

I said this yesterday - I'm totally WYSIWYG - I have been my whole life and my mouth has gotten me in trouble more times than I can count.

But I have a moral center, even if I'm not a Christian or adherent of any other organized religion. I absolutely believe torture is completely immoral, cannot be justified by any argument and I'm sick that this country now is one of the recognized torturers of the world.

And I blame every single person in our government who stood by and let this happen. I'll tell you I have a whole new respect for Ashcroft. He ran when found out what was going on - that's why he quit.

I'd admire Ashcroft more if he'd revealed what was going on. If you run but keep your mouth shut, you're still putting loyalty to criminals above your country.

I'd admire Ashcroft more if he'd revealed what was going on. If you run but keep your mouth shut, you're still putting loyalty to criminals above your country.

O I agree with that, but quite honestly, I have gotten the impression from the beginning that Ashcroft was scared shitless.

But yes, you're right - he should have said or done something and not just run and keep his mouth shut. He is a party to the crime because he didn't.

Look, Powell still has the respect of many Americans despite his supporting of the Bush administration, and all their illegality.

A Powell endorsement AFTER Obama is nominated will not hurt Obama, it will help him in the general.

I also can't see Hillary, who is chummy with Ashcroft and others, to use this against Obama.

Putting aside our issues with Powell from a progressive perspective, and thinking of him from the perspective of the independent or Rep. voters, many of whom hold him in great esteem--this is huge.

Eric, on the headline framing--I think you are misreading the significance of this. It's not "but" Powell says he is undecided, it is "AND"-- in other words, the fact that he is not simply falling into line for McCain, that he is signaling approval and possibly even support for Obama, is a big deal.

I cannot put myself and my absolute belief aside for Colin, but I get what is being said.

I just have nothing but the most intense contempt for Colin Powell anymore.

I used to have respect for Powell, but he sold his soul in the lead-up to war. I can see how a potential endorsement wouldn't hurt, but I won't be jumping up and down with joy if it comes.

Sorry, but I disagree. Powell's hands are as bloody as Bush's. While many may admire him still, I'm not one of them. His "See No Evil, Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil" departure took him of my list of people to respect. I hope he keeps his preferences solidly with the Repubs who brought him to the dance (and then depantsed him).

A Powell endorsement of Obama would matter because Powell is "experienced" and "serious" in the exact way Clinton and McCain claim matters most. Powell is an old Washington hand who has served at the highest levels of the military and diplomatic establishments. If he finds Obama to be sufficiently qualified to be president it is harder to paint him as a lightweight. That was the primary benefit of the Richardson endorsement (aside from signaling that there was no reason to be afraid of the Wright imbroglio.)

The fact that one might view Powell as having no moral authority does not change that calculus.

Look, I'm NOT absolving Powell in any way, shape or form.

I'm just pointing out him endorsing Obama in the general will NOT hurt Obama.

As we already discussed with Farrakhan, just because someone endorses you, doesn't mean you agree with them.