Colin Powell's Departure: Not a Surprise to Some
11/15/2004 22:33 Filed in: Politics
However, it's still significant...
My Dad is in the men's clothing business--always has been. I grew up with magazines like GQ lying around. After I was out on my own, I still got my issues of GQ--not that you could tell by the way I dress. Who could afford that stuff? But Dad still buys me the subscription every year for Christmas. I have to admit that some stay in the plastic, but I always scan the cover for the major articles. The fashion trends don't interest me that much to be honest. But the occasional political article, the bio on this or that Hollywood director, or the piece on some new cultural trend often catches my interest.
When I received the June, 2004 issue (in May), I immediately opened it because of the feature article on Colin Powell. The article described his frustration with Bush's administration, how he felt used for being asked to make the case against Iraq before the UN now that it seems the intelligence was faulty. It mentioned that he might not stay for both terms if the President won reelection.
What's interesting in this article is that most of that information is hearsay. In the article, Powell never makes one unkind reference to the Bush Administration. Yet, his closest friends tell a very different story. When I wrote my blog, "Final Thoughts on the 2004 Election (And a Couple of Predictions for the Future) ," I made this statement in my predictions section at the end: "Expect some resignations on Bush's cabinet and quite a bit more outspoken opposition from among the ranks." When I wrote that, I had Colin Powell specifically in mind. I felt as if he and any others who might be unhappy had stuck things out until the election and soon would head out. But to be honest, I didn't expect folks like Ashcroft to bail. Nor did I imagine that SIX members (and counting) would leave, seemingly all at once.
Now, I've heard said in response to this that it's not all that abnormal. For instance, I've been told that almost no one in Reagan's cabinet stayed for the entire two terms. But those members shuffled in and out over the course of eight years. Is there any precedent for so many leaving all at once? Some of you are better students of political history than me. Please chime in what you know.
Nevertheless, the article from GQ gives some great insight. The writer also interviews Condoleezza Rice, which is now even more interesting since she's been tapped to take Powell's place. Don't discount the source because of the magazine's other content. Read it for yourself. Download the Adobe Reader file below. Then, hit the comments button below and let me know what you think.
My Dad is in the men's clothing business--always has been. I grew up with magazines like GQ lying around. After I was out on my own, I still got my issues of GQ--not that you could tell by the way I dress. Who could afford that stuff? But Dad still buys me the subscription every year for Christmas. I have to admit that some stay in the plastic, but I always scan the cover for the major articles. The fashion trends don't interest me that much to be honest. But the occasional political article, the bio on this or that Hollywood director, or the piece on some new cultural trend often catches my interest.
When I received the June, 2004 issue (in May), I immediately opened it because of the feature article on Colin Powell. The article described his frustration with Bush's administration, how he felt used for being asked to make the case against Iraq before the UN now that it seems the intelligence was faulty. It mentioned that he might not stay for both terms if the President won reelection.
Now, I've heard said in response to this that it's not all that abnormal. For instance, I've been told that almost no one in Reagan's cabinet stayed for the entire two terms. But those members shuffled in and out over the course of eight years. Is there any precedent for so many leaving all at once? Some of you are better students of political history than me. Please chime in what you know.
Nevertheless, the article from GQ gives some great insight. The writer also interviews Condoleezza Rice, which is now even more interesting since she's been tapped to take Powell's place. Don't discount the source because of the magazine's other content. Read it for yourself. Download the Adobe Reader file below. Then, hit the comments button below and let me know what you think.