What Does the Powell Endorsement Bring?

Two important things happened for Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-Ill.) campaign yesterday.

First was the endorsement by Gen. Colin Powell. The other was the announcement that the Obama campaign raised $150 million in September.

It’s curious that the Obama campaign would announce the staggering fundraising totals on a day when Powell’s endorsement, helped by a large “Meet the Press” audience, would surely dominate the news cycle. A lot of voters do not know about what is reported as a sign of growing momentum for Obama (especially with the 632,000 new donors), because it got lost in the news of the day. Some headlines mentioned it, but the story got less traction than the Powell endorsement and Gov. Sarah Palin’s appearance on “Saturday Night Live” — even though the $150 million total is much more significant.

By releasing the fundraising totals last night or first thing this morning, the Obama camp could have secured overwhelming positive media coverage for two straight news cycles at a time when there are not many news cycles left. It was a rare misstep by a campaign that doesn’t make many mistakes.

The endorsement by Gen. Powell, widely respected as a thoughtful leader, was on message. Powell echoed the complaints the Obama campaign has made over the tone of the campaign. Coming late in the campaign as his endorsement did, Powell also brought a sense of authenticity.

But it’s hard to see what it tangibly brings to the campaign. After all, Powell has no real core constituency and has said he will not be campaigning for Obama. It’s a good talking point, but by dinner tonight, who will still be talking about it?

Yesterday would have been a great opportunity for the two to campaign together. Obama was in Fayetteville, N.C., home to Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base. It’s also home to Fayetteville State University, one of the state’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and a large African-American population. By campaigning in the area with Powell, Obama could have reached out to military voters still undecided about the race and rallied Obama’s black supporters in the community.

Since that didn’t happen, it’s uncertain what effect the Powell endorsement will have on Election Day.