Powell to Skip GOP Convention

NewsMax ^ | 8/7/04 | Carl Limbacher

[wagglebee]

Traditionally cabinet officials do not speak at the conventions -- or other campaign events. Secretary of State Colin Powell will not break the unwritten rule despite his status as the most popular Republican in the country, according to the Washington Post.

"As secretary of state, I am obliged not to participate in any way, shape, fashion, or form in parochial, political debates; I have to take no sides in the matter," Powell told the Unity: Journalists of Color Convention last week.

In a recent NBC-Wall Street Journal poll, Powell was viewed favorably by 69 percent of respondents -- compared with 49 percent for President Bush and 39 percent each for Vice President Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.

During the convention, Powell may spend some of the time on vacation and perhaps catching up on travel to non-hot spots, according to State Department officials.

Rumsfeld and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice will also be no-shows at the New York convention.

"By tradition and custom, the national security adviser does not actively participate in campaign or political events," said Sean McCormick, a National Security Council spokesman.

[bayourod]

Allbright certainly wouldn't mis a chance to get her ugly face before a camera.

[RoseofTexas]

Oh my,... watch the RATS and pressWHORES go wild with speculations!!

[VOA]

Powell to Skip GOP Convention

Funny, even with his big-time presentation at the UN, I've not heard a reporter
say "Powell Lied".

[dawn53]

I read this earlier, but also wondered if this was similar to leaving a cabinet member out of the State of the Union address.

In the event of terrorism, there would be a cabinet member in a secure location.

And since Cheney and Bush will both be at the convention, I think it's a good idea.

[dawn53]

I missed the part about Rumsfield and Rice, but adding that fact makes the "in case of terrorism" scenario all the more plausible, IMHO.

[jennyp]

Darn, neither Powell, Rumsfeld, nor Condi will be there!

I was wondering if that's how the tradition went. Oh well.

[Dane]

Allbright certainly wouldn't mis a chance to get her ugly face before a camera.

Here's a pretty funny anecdote about Albright and a recent high school graduate fan of hers at the demo conv.

Several moments later, a person behind me yelled that Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of State, was in front of me. I looked forward and saw a circle of people, and figured that Albright was in the middle. So I stood on my toes and tried to locate her, repeatedly yelling: "Where? Where?"

Twenty seconds later I lowered my head, and there she was, standing right next to me, shorter than I had ever imagined. I instantly asked for her autograph in a soft voice that, to my embarrassment, cracked from over-excitement. But I was more humiliated when she turned and walked the other way. Maybe she was insulted when I unintentionally mocked my idol's height

The life of the (Democratic) Party

[RightWhale]

As secretary of state, I am obliged not to participate in any way, shape, fashion, or form in parochial, political debates

I like that, a strong ethical sense.

[mabelkitty]

Isn't this a requirement?
Didn't the House just make him third in succession?
Guess he'll go to Cheney's undisclosed location.

[RightWhale]

Yeah, it wasn't convincing.

[seenenuf]

Good one!
BTW, has anyone seen the RNC speaking schedule? My
Baghdad friend needs it.

[billhilly]

It is a crazy, upside down world where blacks, in the political sense, can do no wrong. Democrats love them because they can be depended upon to stay on the plantation and vote for them. Media, being democrats, elevate black Republicans only as exemplars "of their race" and always superior to their "masters who have elevated them to positions of tokenism." The rest of the population, sensitive to the lash of the charge of racism, buys in and goes along.

Is that fair to black people who prize excellence? Sacrifice and achievement? Noble lifestyles? I think not. Our system, on the one hand, awards non achievement, even celebrates it, then demeans others whose life's work leads them to prominence in the "wrong" philosophy.

Try applying those standards in a family environment. On the other hand, please don't. One of the most frightening things in politics is the possibility of someone like Opra Winfrey becoming a republican. How, then, would the demonizers demonize her?

[putupjob]

Unlike fat Albright, Powell will never be politically involved.

[TBarnett34]

Secretary of State Colin Powell will not break the unwritten rule despite his status as the most popular Republican in the country, according to the Washington Post.

Argh, you mean I'm only the #2 most popular Republican in the country?! :(

[Valin]

Traditionally cabinet officials do not speak at the conventions -- or other campaign events. Secretary of State Colin Powell will not break the unwritten rule despite his status as the most popular Republican in the country, according to the Washington Post.

This is news?

[mabelkitty]

Poker Party at Powell's house!!!

[ohioWfan]

Bummer. Condi's speech in 2000 was one of my favorites.

[The Libertarian Dude]

Simple, then... put Cheney somewhere safe, and get Powell there instead. He doesn't HAVE to speak, but he needs to be there. Him, or Condi.

[The Libertarian Dude]

Condi needs to be there so she can be talked into running in 2008. Obama's going to be on the short list for Hillary's bid for world domination sidekick, and the GOP needs a smart, good-looking black woman on the ticket.