So the rumor mills in Washington are grinding again at the thought that former Secretary of State, Colin Powell, met with both Senators Obama and McCain. Moreover, there is considerable speculation at the thought of having Powell as a Vice President pick for either candidate. I fear, however, that Colin Powell is possibly headed to that spot that Sam Nunn occupies - a guy that everyone thinks about for Vice President - but ultimately never picks.

Powell wrote in his book My American Journey about his life, his ascendancy in the Army to ultimately the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Powell is thoroughly a Republican. But, I can understand after a term with President George Bush, the lustre on the RNC card just doesn’t glean like it used to. The Bush Administration treated Powell quite terribly, and moreover, history has by and large proven Powell right on many of the issues he stood firm on while Secretary of State. It was quite a sad end to Powell’s political career - if indeed it is the end - that he will be remembered for his speech before the United Nations making the case for military action against Saddam to enforce the UNSCRs.

McCain desperately needs someone on the ticket that could excite voters. The beltway view is that the pick is going ot be Romney. Mitt - I’m sorry - you’re not the guy who can excite the Republican party. I mean, if you could have excited the voters - you’d be the one picking the VP slot. I think Mitt is a qualified executive, probably more qualified than McCain, but ultimately the voters didn’t dance.

If Powell could be convinced to run - I think McCain/Powell would be a powerful ticket. Powell, in interviews early on in 2000, talked about his time in the Clinton White House and how he didn’t much like it. Powell has spent most of his life engaged in Republican party politics and Administrations. I can imagine it would palatable, after being harangued by the “decider” and the idiocy of that dogma, to sign up for another tour with someone like John McCain. It may be the only time where McCain’s moderate views could actually do his campaign some good - by attracting a fellow moderate like Powell.

Powell is also a dynamic speaker, a dynamic leader, and more importantly, actually quite good at governance. Powell’s stewardship of the State Department is well regarded as perhaps among the best Secretaries in the history of the State Department. He rebuilt many of the capabilities of the Department that had deteriorated under Bush 41 and Clinton. I wasn’t too surprised by this, Powell’s career has been in developing organizations - in the army, as a commander, as a general, and ultimately as the Chief. Powell has understood the value of developing complex organizations that can function well. Similarly, that type of power as Vice President could greatly organize the workings of the executive branch. Vice President Cheney showed how much power OVP could weild if it wanted to. I feel very positive about the good a Vice President Powell’s OVP would do for rebuilding and restoring the inner workings of the executive policymaking apparatus - something that quite frankly has all but imploded.

Unfortunately, I know none of this is going to happen. First of all, I think his wife will kill him if he even entertains the idea. Secondly, Powell is keenly aware of racial issues and I have to wonder if he wouldn’t at least contemplate this decision - do I try to become the first black Vice President, or do I help elect the first black PRESIDENT? I’m not saying race is the only issue for Powell - it’s not - but I think it would be foolish not to consider that angle.

I would be quite excited by a Powell VP pick. I just hope to hell that if he does run for VP - he still runs on the side of the Elephant.