Former Secretary of State Colin Powell hasn’t exactly been sticking to the White House’s talking points lately, as evidenced by his acknowledgement that Iraq’s violence meets the standard of a civil war. But last night in Pittsburgh, Powell went a little further — and got a little more personal. (thanks to R.S. for the tip)
For example, Powell said, “Sooner or later, we’ll have to start drawing down. My own judgment is that sometime in the very near future, next year — early next year — there has to be an understanding that some U.S. troops will have to start to leave.” The line drew applause from the packed house.
He also criticized the administration for being unprepared for the post-invasion occupation and the violence. “We pretended, tried to look away, and say there was no insurgency, but there was,” Powell said.
But the most striking comments came in subtle reference to the president himself.
He never took any direct swipes at President Bush, or anyone else in the current administration. But several times last night, Mr. Powell made reference to his partiality to international diplomacy, maintaining friendly economic relationships and “reaching out to the rest of the world.” And at least twice, on a day when President Bush was said to have been splashed in the face with the cold waters of Iraq’s sad reality, Mr. Powell expressed his admiration for leaders who trust realism over idealism.
Speaking of former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, and his acknowledgment of the U.S.S.R.’s untenable economic situation, Mr. Powell said:
“That’s what great leaders do — act on reality.” (emphasis added) Earlier on, talking about an encounter with Japan’s former prime minister, he said Junichiro Koizumi “faced reality and didn’t turn away.”
Now, Powell didn’t come right out and say Bush doesn’t act on reality, but given the context, it has to be considered a jab, doesn’t it?
Part of me thinks it may not matter if Powell has given up on Bush and is willing to criticize, at least subtly, the president’s dangerous policies. It was Powell, after all, who enabled those policies for years. He saw what was happening around him, recognized the mistakes being made, allowed himself to be marginalized, and said nothing. Powell wanted to be a “team player,” a fact which Cheney and Rumsfeld were all too happy to take advantage of.
Now, years after it ceased to matter, Powell has the courage of his convictions. If he’d had them four years ago, Powell might have been able to make a difference and save lives. Instead he went along, allowed himself to be used, and lent the White House the credibility it needed to sell a war that didn’t have to be fought.
It is a tarnished legacy.
That said, Powell remains a generally respected figure, on both sides of the aisle. (Indeed, perhaps more on our side than the GOP’s side, at this point.) Last night, Powell mentioned he’d be willing to advise John McCain’s presidential campaign — or the campaigns of Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.
If Powell is willing to set the record straight with regards to the Bush White House and its tragic flaws, and do so publicly, it could start to rehabilitate an image that took a serious hit.