Now that Senator Obama has secured the Democratic nomination, his choice for VP is turning into a contest not unlike the search for the golden ticket in Wooly Wonka. If growing speculation that Hillary Clinton, Jim Webb or even NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg are being considered for the second banana spot isn’t titillating enough, former secretary of state Colin Powell’s name being added to the list should satiate the public’s interest on this topic. Adding a moderate Republican to an Obama administration would definitely raise the Senator's stock amongst Black conservatives but the reality is that tribalism is allowed for White folk (disguised by using the euphemism, “mainstream” culture) but not for people of color. This current election has proven that having one Black person as POTUS is controversial enough but another in the secondary position would be too much for the general populace to take. White presidential hopefuls have been choosing Caucasian counterparts for time immemorial and yet when a person of color follows suit, tribal criticisms are brought to light. But let me stop from overstating the obvious, let’s take a look at an excerpt from a PoliticalInquirer.com concerning a potential Obama-Powell match-up:
There are so many positives in favor of Barack Obama choosing Colin Powell as his Vice Presidential running mate, and so few negatives, that it just makes sense. The team of Obama and Powell would be “unstoppable,” to paraphrase a former President whose wife happens to be in contention for the 2008 Democratic nomination.
The Obama/Powell team would breeze to victory in the November general election. But should Obama name Powell as his choice prior to the general election, it would serve to make the candidacy of Hillary Clinton irrelevant.
The upside for Obama is that it brings him instant credibility as Commander-in-Chief of all the armed forces. Obama would have Powell’s guiding hand throughout his Presidency. The Powell influence would be felt, but only if Obama heeded Powell’s advise. There is not a person alive today that has more “good experience” in Washington than Colin Powell. John McCain would be unable to attack Obama on any issue regarding national security. He certainly would not want to offend his friend Colin Powell and diminish him in any way. Obama can always responds to McCain’s attacks as, “That is why it is so important that an Obama administration have Colin Powell as an integral part.”
For Powell there is even more upside and it is the very reason why if offered the position he would accept. Colin Powell would have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to redeem himself from the “speech” at the United Nations that advocated the Iraq War. Powell would be listened to in an Obama administration. Colin Powell will find that Barack Obama is a man that can be trusted. And Obama would find that he can trust Powell. And it is obvious that Powell already admires Obama as evidenced by this interview with Tavis Smiley.
For more on politics' answer to Jordan-Pippen, click on the link below:
Barack Obama and Colin Powell Would Be An Unstoppable Team
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