Powell is Pooped Out with Politics
Colin Powell wants out. He’s retiring from politics.
He was questioned on talk shows today on whether or not he would seek an elected office.
He responded with a firm “No”. He says he also doesn’t plan to write any books in the near future.
I remember when Powell was chosen to be George W. Bush’s Secretary of State. I also remember Powell saying he would only stay with Bush for one term.
Apparently he made a deal with his wife to only run one term.
It looks as if the American people want him in office more than he himself wants in. (Isn’t that the way it should be?)
I have much respect for Powell and I’ll be sad to see him go, but I’m sure he needs a break from politics. The Washington of today isn’t the Washington he knew when he started.
Powell said he would most likely devote his time, after retiring, to efforts for underprivileged children with regard to education
After retiring, Powell said “I wouldn’t be surprised if working in the field of mentoring or education or something like that does not appear on my calendar”.
January 3rd, 2005 at 1:03 pm
Yep, exactly. You saw a lot of the news sites try to make a stink about him leaving…but I remember him stating before he started that that was his intention all along. I always got the feel that he views politics as a necessary evil, and something he has only done reluctantly.
There are a few issues I disagree with him on, but I respect him as well and think he has done a lot of good for the country in some very difficult positions.
January 3rd, 2005 at 1:16 pm
I agree, I know that I dont completely agree with him politically, but He was a great person for secretary of state. The right amount of compromise mixed with kiss my arse. It seems that his agenda wasnt to advance his own career. The entire Bush Adminstration isnt as selfish as the media pretends.
January 3rd, 2005 at 11:54 pm
I guess that cabinet members HAVE to go along with the president’s policies. But there were several times when you could tell Powell was disgusted with the process and didn’t believe the words he was saying. He’s been a great American since long before the 1st gulf war, and I’m sure he’ll continue long after this office.
January 4th, 2005 at 8:01 am
I thought Powell did a good job of expressing his views when he did not completely agree with something.
When Bush talked about lifting some of the parts of Title 9, Powell said he didnt support that.
When Bush talked about allowing Illegal Aliens to work in American, Powell was against that.
I think Powell agrees that we should be in Iraq.
January 4th, 2005 at 8:01 am
“I guess that cabinet members HAVE to go along with the president’s policies. But there were several times when you could tell Powell was disgusted with the process and didn’t believe the words he was saying. “
Could you give an example?
I can’t think of any times that I felt Powell was doing that. There were certain issues that arose that Powell and Bush or even other members had a disagreement on, but they would not say “this is what I believe too”….they would say something like….the president feels X, he is the president, and we are here to advance the president’s agenda.
I think it is like being part of a non-profit organization. You are there because you want to be and you think you can make a difference. Sometimes (and this will always happen) the president of the organization will have approaches are minor views that are not what you would do if you were president, but you still agree in principal on what is being accomplished because they do not contradict your ending goal of why you are there.
If it came to the point they had to feel they were advancing a value that was immoral or felt they had to lie about it, they would just quit.
It’s not like they need the money or do not have other job opportunities