In your Opinion who would have made a better President: President Obama or Former National Security Advisor Colin Powell?

SPC Andrew Griffin — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 11:22:07 -0400

I have Respect for both me. I love the things that Gen. Colin Powell(Ret) has done through his service for our Country. Many have called for him to run for President. I am not sure why he never ran. I strongly believe in my heart he would have been the first Black President. Do you AGREE or DISAGREE?

Response by SPC Andrew Griffin made Apr 8 at 2016 11:23 AM

SPC Andrew Griffin — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 11:23:05 -0400

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Apr 8 at 2016 11:24 AM

MAJ Rene De La Rosa — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 11:24:16 -0400

Colin Powell would have been a fine president. His know-how of military matters, his time as the National Security Advisor, and his being the Secretary of State, were clear indications he was trust-worthy, and competent. Unfortunately, they would have gone after his wife for her behavioral health issues.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 8 at 2016 11:28 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 11:28:38 -0400

I'd agree on the pick but respect only one of them. GEN Powell has his warts like we all do, but what comes through is a huge dose of practicality, devotion, and the ability to weigh things from all sides. He's not a knee jerk type. So in many ways I'd would have voted for him in a heartbeat, not because I agree with him fully, but because he'd serve the role as President very well.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2016 11:33 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 11:33:26 -0400

Colin Powell would have my vote - then and now.

Response by TSgt David L. made Apr 8 at 2016 11:35 AM

TSgt David L. — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 11:35:05 -0400

SPC Andrew Griffin, +1 for General Powell. Why he never ran is a mystery, but hands down he would have been an awesome POTUS.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Apr 8 at 2016 11:51 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 11:51:55 -0400

Their stances are very similar, but Colin Powell has military experience, so one can arguably say Powell.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Apr 8 at 2016 12:14 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 12:14:37 -0400

SPC Andrew Griffin It is not something you can really quantify. Mr. Obama has had some good points, but overall I oppose a lot of what he has done. The affordable health care act, his naive view on gun violence, the expansion of NSA monitoring everyday Americans, and his use of executive orders to push through agenda items opposed by congress are a few of the issue I have with Mr. Obama. I am not naive enough to think he is the only President to use executive orders to get his way. I think part of the reason that his appear so wide spread is maybe more a product of the instant access to information world we live in now.
As for Gen. Powell, I cannot say because he did not run. I think that it would have been a much different election cycle last time around had the General been the Republican candidate instead of Romney. I respect General Powell greatly. I will not go so far as to say that he would have been better or worse simply because there is no way of knowing.
One thing I have noticed is that the office breaks men down. A person goes into the office with ideas, thoughts, and a vision for where they will lead the country. That is slowly eroded by the reality that is the Washington Political Quagmire. Hopes and aspirations go into the quagmire, and bitter men with broken promises come out.
The other thing to consider is the other two branches of government. The makeup of the Supreme Court would be drastically different as Mr. Obama has chosen two and a half justices during his tenure as President. I highly doubt that General Powell would have appointed either of the two justices that Mr. Obama has had confirmed, nor would he likely have nominated Justice Merrick. So that would be one major difference. Additionally, the President cannot succeed without being able to negotiate with Congress. Right now we have a Democrat controlled Senate working with Mr. Obama, only countered by the Republican controlled House. If General Powell were in office, the congressional balance would be flipped.
Where I do see General Powell as having the advantage over Mr. Obama is personality. General Powell is much less a polarizing figure than Mr. Obama is. Further as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Dessert Shield/Storm, and father of the Powell Doctrine employed during that campaign, General Powell had to work with coalition leaders from different nations with different world views. This continued in his time as Secretary of State. This ability to work with others would be a huge asset when dealing with congress. Mr. Obama was a Freshman Senator when he became President. He did not have time to develop those skills which General Powell would have developed during his career.
The other Advantage the General Powell would have in a presidential campaign is his stellar military record.

So while I cannot say with any confidence which would be a better President as one has been President, and the other has not run, I can say that I think that in an election between the two that I would choose General Powell over Mr. Obama.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 8 at 2016 12:23 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 12:23:39 -0400

I do not believe I can compare the two. I believe that General Colin Powell would have made an amazing President, I had the pleasure of serving with him and he is an all around amazing person and leader.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Apr 8 at 2016 12:26 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 12:26:29 -0400

It can be fun to play with Alternative History, and to that end, perhaps he would have been a good President--my guess is he'd have been a good one--but he didn't want to run, so we'll never know. Now had he run at some point in the last 20 years, I think he would have had a good chance of becoming the 1st President who was black, but him being black is of little consequence to me personally; the politics of demographics do not interest me, though I understand others might have a different view point on that.

In the end, we cannot draft the President, and I can respect the wishes of those who, for whatever their reasons, do not want the job-hell, they may be the most selfless of all. Almost seems there is an irony in the idea that the person who wants the job the least, may be the best person for it...if you believe in that idea of course.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Apr 8 at 2016 12:30 PM

SSG Ed Mikus — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 12:30:40 -0400

He would have been great, I know this because he never ran despite pressure and support to do so.

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Apr 8 at 2016 12:34 PM

PO2 Mark Saffell — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 12:34:53 -0400

I liked the General during Desert Storm, but feel he flipped flopped on his party and sold out a little to support Obama even when he knew Obama was wrong.

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Apr 8 at 2016 12:49 PM

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 12:49:23 -0400

Strongly agree that GEN Powell would have been a great POTUS.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2016 12:58 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 12:58:45 -0400

The relevant question, IMO, is whether Powell would have been a better president than Bush. Because that election cycle in 2000 was the time when Powell's popularity was at its peak, and the extreme right wing of the republican party hadn't completely taken over the party yet, so a moderate like Powell still had a chance at being nominated. I think he would have won if he had run in 2000, and been a much better president than Bush. Particularly in that I doubt we would have ended up going to war with Iraq. But we'll never know.

I recall reading somewhere that Powell said a big part of his decision not to get into politics was his wife's fears that he would be assassinated. Apparently he received way more than the usual number of death threats than politicians usually do, just as Obama has, as there were a large number of people not willing to accept the idea of a black president.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Apr 8 at 2016 1:19 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 13:19:19 -0400

The General.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Apr 8 at 2016 1:23 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 13:23:52 -0400

Easy one, Powell. He was not an ideologue and was experienced in military, political life and successful as a civilian. Want to bet who would win the Democrat nomination, if he ran against the old white dude/dudette?

Response by LTC Thomas Tennant made Apr 8 at 2016 2:21 PM

LTC Thomas Tennant — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 14:21:16 -0400

Having served around Powell (yep not directly with), I have seen on a second and third hand bases an outstanding leader. I think he would have been an excellent president but family and other considerations prevented that from happening. I would have volunteered on his campaign as well as voted for him.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 8 at 2016 2:26 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 14:26:38 -0400

Both Very Smart Men and Both Very Politically Astute Individuals. I still say President Obama but General Powell will always be one of my Favorites.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 8 at 2016 3:36 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 15:36:55 -0400

Colin Powell. He was fair, tough, and a deep thinker.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Apr 8 at 2016 3:51 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 15:51:12 -0400

He would've won by a landslide. He's that man who has respect from Americans and foreign leaders alike. I know had he ran, we wouldn't be in Iraq then and we wouldn't be now. His doctrine is still taught and argued over to this day, so there has to be something to it that rings true. I don't think he'd be as quick to deploy troops everywhere, nor do I believe Israel would have a better relationship with him than they do with Obama. I think Powell would've called it like it is and hurt some feelings. I think the GOP would be doing themselves a favor if they could get him to run for them, but after the blatant disrespect he was put through with the intel used to go to Iraq, and the immoral attacks on each other and family members seen today, I don't think Powell would want to run. If he was to become POTUS, if you thought there was a mass exodus of flag officers under Obama, that would be a rookie headcount compared to Powell. He IS a General, and wouldn't fall for the doubletalk or side comments that Obama has to deal with, and being relieved with rank would be a thing of the past. Powell is that gangsta who would smile, put his hand over your shoulder, and look you square in your face and tell you EXACTLY what he is going to do, and you would believe him. I'd rather have Powell than Mattis at this time, being Powell has the longer resume. Mattis if he ran, I'd vote for him too, but he would need just a little more than those stars to effect belief in the masses who don't know him the way vets do.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 8 at 2016 3:52 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 15:52:21 -0400

Gen. Colin Powell was awesome. He does not want to be POTUS. He fought in Vietnam and served well up to 4 star How many men of any race can make it to full General and also serve as Secretary of State? Gen. Powell, I know, feels betrayed by the intelligence services as he discussed the Iraqi invasion in the UN. He feels he looked like lying in front of the world about Iraq and WMD. He served his country with distinction. He, in my opinion, would have bee a better President that President Obama and not appear wimpy like he did on 60 minutes.

Response by LTC Ed Ross made Apr 8 at 2016 4:21 PM

LTC Ed Ross — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 16:21:38 -0400

I had a great deal of respect for Gen. Powell, I knew him when he as a MG working as SecDef Colin Weinberger's military assistant and traveled with then to China. In recent years, however, he as been a disappointment, turning on the Republican Party and backing Barack Obama which I know he knows has not been a good president. Having said this, however, I would prefer Powell over Obama any day.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Apr 8 at 2016 5:11 PM

SGT Jerrold Pesz — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 17:11:36 -0400

Powell would have been a lot better than Obama but so would almost anybody except maybe Hillary.

Response by SFC Charles Temm made Apr 8 at 2016 5:17 PM

SFC Charles Temm — Fri, 08 Apr 2016 17:17:17 -0400

He might have gotten the job but given his stated positions on many issues, he'd have been a disappointment to those who believed he'd be either a conservative or even a moderate as he often claims himself to be. He'd likely have been a pleasant surprise for Democrats.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Apr 9 at 2016 8:34 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 08:34:35 -0400

GEN Powell, hands down. I wish he would answer this call to duty.

Response by 1SG Nick Baker made Apr 9 at 2016 10:32 AM

1SG Nick Baker — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 10:32:40 -0400

Gen Powell has something the others do not, proven experience. I still use his principles to develop people.

Response by MSgt Eliot Lugo-Hernandez made Apr 9 at 2016 11:32 AM

MSgt Eliot Lugo-Hernandez — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 11:32:40 -0400

Colin Powell

Response by Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA made Apr 9 at 2016 1:02 PM

Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 13:02:14 -0400

I vote for Gen. Powell. In my view, he has the benefit of experience in several leadership positions allowing him to rise to a senior governmental role. His experience overshadows any Pres. Obama had prior to his current role. I use the following to justify my view: "While youth is wasted on the young, judgement is wasted on the experienced." I think Gen. Powell would be better prepared from a world-view than most (if not all) current politicians. Just my humble opinion.

Response by Maj Marty Hogan made Apr 10 at 2016 10:33 AM

Maj Marty Hogan — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 10:33:26 -0400

He definitely had the ground swell of support and respect behind him I think. Hard to judge what could have been versus what has happened. I would have voted for him and did not vote for the current POTUS, nor has he accomplished anything that made me feel I made the incorrect choice. I do feel when I disagree with Obama a large faction of the universe feels I am a racist in some capacity. Has nothing to do with not agreeing with the decision. Good post and thought provoking subject.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Apr 10 at 2016 12:39 PM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 12:39:40 -0400

General Powell hands down. I think after the situation while he was Sec'y of State put a sour taste for politics in his mouth. I would not be opposed to Sec'y Rice running either.

Response by SSG Wally Lawver made Apr 11 at 2016 10:52 AM

SSG Wally Lawver — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 10:52:29 -0400

Colin Powell,all day long.........................

Response by PO1 Jack Howell made Apr 11 at 2016 11:55 AM

PO1 Jack Howell — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 11:55:53 -0400

Don't forget that he was also Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State. The man had tremendous leadership experience and credibility. However, I would hold off on deciding on whether or not he would have made a better president than Obama because no one really knows what his positions is on major issues. That being said, if he was the candidate running against Obama in 2008 or 2012, I would have voted for him.

Response by SGT Paul Mackay made Apr 12 at 2016 6:33 PM

SGT Paul Mackay — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 18:33:26 -0400

colin powell

Response by SGT Arthur Tompkins made Oct 4 at 2017 6:55 PM

SGT Arthur Tompkins — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 18:55:02 -0400

Powell m I st definitely !

Response by PO2 Skip Kirkwood made Oct 4 at 2017 7:06 PM

PO2 Skip Kirkwood — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 19:06:22 -0400

Colin Powell, by far. He was a man of integrity and vision; he always wanted what was the best for America. None of those apply to Barak Obama.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2017 12:02 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Oct 2017 12:02:59 -0400

Was not a fan of Obama. Am a big fan of Colin Powell.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Mar 21 at 2018 4:24 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 16:24:17 -0400

Powell hands down.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2018 5:37 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 17:37:36 -0400

Agreed

Response by LTC David Brown made Mar 21 at 2018 6:00 PM

LTC David Brown — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 18:00:24 -0400

I think Powell would have been a great President, far far superior to President Obama. President Obama had a completely unrealistic view of the World.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2018 11:01 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 23:01:01 -0400

They would/are about equal in my opinion. I would not vote for either. Based on foreign policy believes. At the time in 2000 I would have voted for him but time makes people wiser and I now think he would not have been as aggressive as Bush. We wouldn’t have gone into Iraq and Iraq would have turned into a new terrorist stronghold in the end and we would have an entirely different problem.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2018 9:59 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Mar 2018 21:59:04 -0400

Sec. Powell had the qualifications and experience to be a good POTUS, but the (R) party didn't want him. They dropped subtle hints about his wife allegedly being promiscuous in college, and it seems that he didn't want to drag them both through the mud. His experience as CJCS and Sec of State would have prepared him better than Pres. Obama's legal and community planning background IMO. He also served on the NSC during his military career.

Response by LTC Lee Bouchard made Feb 12 at 2020 11:00 AM

LTC Lee Bouchard — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 11:00:08 -0500

Gen. Colin Powell hands down. I would vote for him today.

Response by LTC Lee Bouchard made Feb 12 at 2020 11:01 AM

LTC Lee Bouchard — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 11:01:40 -0500

Agree. A true 1st.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2020 1:53 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 13:53:15 -0500

I would have loved to have seen Powell run, the man was intelligent, had common sense and just a manner about him.

Response by 1SG Dean Mcbride (MPER) (CPHR) made Jul 19 at 2024 6:05 PM

1SG Dean Mcbride (MPER) (CPHR) — Fri, 19 Jul 2024 18:05:04 -0400

Colin Powell has my vote! I think he would have been a great president. He probably did not want to go through the mud slinging process to get there!

Response by SMSgt Bob W. made Aug 13 at 2024 7:44 PM

SMSgt Bob W. — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 19:44:08 -0400

The question is difficult to answer. Both men have many qualifying attributes. Without going into detail my vote would be Powell.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 10 at 2024 8:14 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 20:14:43 -0400

I think both were equally qualified.

Response by CW2 Jesus Torres made Sep 11 at 2024 12:15 PM

CW2 Jesus Torres — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 12:15:50 -0400

Gen Powell was one of those rare 4 stars that stuck out amongst 'like' Generals of his rank. His downfall came as he pressed the pentagon and Capitol Hill to invade Iraq. Bad move; especially since it was based on false 'intel' from presumably the IC. Now if he HAD run, he would have won, but if he had won, would he make a similar bad decision in another war/conflict!?!? Maybe not as bad as Obama's ease-dropping programs.....