General Colin Powell to Endorse Barack Obama?

Will one of the most respected foreign policy public servants in modern American history, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, former Secretary of State and former national Security Advisor, General Colin Powell endorse the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama?

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - Bill Kristol is one of the most reliable sources in the inside Washington crowd these days. The Editor of the Weekly Standard and a regular on Fox News Network, he is also known to be a strong supporter of Senator John McCain for the Presidency.

Clearly on the "neo-conservative" wing of the Republican Party, Kristol has been an advocate of American muscularity in foreign affairs. However, wherever one stands on his political or foreign policy positions, there is little doubt that his track record on political prognostications is right up there with the best in the Beltway.

That is why the comments which he made to FOX news on Thursday are sending shockwaves throughout official Washington and could mark a new turn in an already windy, twisty race for the White House in 2008.

Kristol intimated on Fox that one of the most respected foreign policy public servants in modern American history, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, former Secretary of State and former national Security Advisor, General Colin Powell will endorse the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama for the Presidency of the United States.

Kristol claimed to be relying on inside sources when he told Fox News that " "He 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."

When Fox sought to confirm the veracity of this hot political tip, the Generals spokeswoman Peggy Cifrino strongly denied the report saying "There's absolutely no truth to it whatsoever...Colin Powell will not be at either convention. There's absolutely no truth to this."

Clearly, there has been behind the scenes scuttlebutt concerning the Generals predilections in the current race. It was Powell who was selected to make the argument for the Bush Administrations decision to enter Iraq. He told the Council that Iraq had Weapons of Mass Destruction, a now dubious claim to say the least.

However, he did so based on reports which were given to him by the Administration. He later decried that entire experience as an unfortunate blot on his own career record.

If the usually reliable pundits "scoop" proves to be true, this endorsement of such a highly esteemed military man could have a significant impact on how the Obama team is viewed as the focus of many turns to foreign affairs right before the impending Conventions.

The ongoing turmoil arising over of Russia's invasion of Georgia is already inviting comparisons to Iraq. If the Obama campaign secures the endorsement of and advice from Powell there is little doubt it will shore up his foreign policy bona fides.

"The Obama people are quietly trying to line up a pretty strong convention....I think the Obama campaign shouldn't be underestimated. Obviously anyone would like to have Powell's endorsement" said the usually accurate Kristol.

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