Colin Powell resigned today. Is this man a good enough President? He will very likely have the high ground in four years, the unbeatable combination of Eisenhower and "I told you so," in a very pleasant package. If he is not good enough, somebody needs to say so soon, before he is unstopable. If he is good enough, progressives need to find a candidate for 8 to 12 years in the future -- the next JFK. One optimistic point: Powell's VP can be a person of substance -- if events play out in likely ways, Powell can carry the election himself. This VP choice will be an authentic political opportunity, an opening for someone without wealth or connections or political capital.
Powell is 67; he'll be 71 at the next election. A lot depends on his health and his energy. We need to decide whether to send him carrots or Twinkies for Christmas.