Count Out Colin

Colin Powell sings YMCA during 2004 ASEAN summit in Indonesia - http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/002481.php

I got into an argument with a friend who is of the opinion that Colin Powell is the best choice for Secretary of Defense in Barak Obama's cabinet - I, vehemently disagree.

Granted, Powell is a highly accomplished military man, and he has come through incredible experiences which have earned him the honour and respect of many - including myself. However, after serving as Secretary of State during George Bush Junior's first administration, and having served father, George Bush Senior, when he was President as well; it seems to me that Powell's tenure has been more than spent. What confirmed it for me was when Powell grudgingly saddled up to ride along with the Republican cabinet, instead of defending his natural instincts, concerning the plausibility of the reasons for attacking Iraq in 2003.

Ironically, Powell was reputed for hesitating to go into Iraq too hastily at the time of the first Iraqi invasion, Desert Storm, in the early 90's. At the time, Powell was promoted to a four-star General by George Bush Senior; and served as his Commander in Chief. His attitude towards conflict earned Powell the nickname 'The Reluctant Warrior' and this attitude is reflected in 'The Powell Doctrine' which was adopted during Desert Storm (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/iraq/powelldoctrine.html).

In February of 2001, Powell mentioned previous sanctions against Iraq from the first Persian Gulf War had prevented the country from developing the kind of firepower Americans would consider a threat. Somehow, Powell's discretion gave way to the resolve of Bush Junior's administration; but not without a few conditions. Powell insisted that the case be taken in front of the UN and he eagerly sought after the support of the international community to justify America's war.

On February 5, 2003, Powell appeared before the United Nations Security Council and stated "there can be no doubt that Saddam Hussein has biological weapons and the capability to rapidly produce more, many more" (http://www.state.gov/secretary/former/powell/remarks/2003/17300.htm.

As we know today, these claims were exaggerated (at the very least); and it isn't inconceivable that Powell had a better idea of how accurate his allegations while he was making them.

In any case, Powell most likely wanted to make the best out of a bad situation. Charged with the responsibility to advocate the invasion of Iraq, I was quite a bit surprised when Powell swallowed the pill and began putting forward dubious claims about WMD's, biological weapons, and Iraqi-Al Qaeda connections. This was not the Powell I was familiar with.

Powell left the Bush Junior's administration in January of 2004; before Junior entered the Oval Office for his second term. It is believed that relations between Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Powell were less than amiable at the time. In a September 8, 2005 interview with Barbra Walters; "When asked if he feels it has tarnished his (Powell's) reputation, he said, 'Of course it will. It's a blot. I'm the one who presented it on behalf of the United States to the world, and [it] will always be a part of my record. It was painful. It's painful now.'" (http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Politics/story?id=1105979&page=1)

All that said, I still admire the accomplishments made by Powell and the dedication he has for his country. The man has been involved in over 25 crises in his military career, and he would not have excelled through the ranks if he wasn't an effective soldier. No one gets it right 100% of the time. Colin Powell is a disciplined military man and most likely holds the value of rank in very high esteem - dissension would not be a part of his game. Yet, it's still unsettling to think that he had to play the unfortunate role he did when trying to convince the world of an imminent Iraqi threat. As such, it would be prudent for Obama's administration to appoint a Secretary of Defense that has almost as much experience, influence and respect as Powell; but would be determined not to compromise the integrity of their office or the lives of people unnecessarily.

Hell, the man is 71 years old. After the career that Powell had in his lifetime, he deserves to retire into something that keeps his blood pressure down. What would most of us want to do when we reach his age - navigate a nation on the verge of economic catastrophe through TWO wars amidst growing animosity; or let someone new, who shows a bit of promise, to step up to the plate?