Ok, Powell is taking the gloves off. In what looks to be Colin Powell's rejection of Bush, Powell joins the redeployment crowd.

The United States and allies can not resolve the current sectarian violence in Iraq, former Secretary of State Colin Powell said today during a lecture in Minneapolis.

"Only the Iraqi people can resolve this," Powell said.

U.S. troops have to stay in Iraq for "some time," he said. "But there is a limit to the patience of the American people."

Powell was the featured speaker at this year's distinguished Carlson Lecture at the University of Minnesota.

In Iraq, "staying the course isn't good enough because a course has to have an end," Powell said.

This is why what's going on in Connecticut is critical, because the 'stay the coursers' need to be beaten for this country to change.  Ned Lamont, who ran against the mindset that led to the 'stay the course' idea, pointed out today that Lieberman is now facing opposition from Colin Powell, as well new revelations in Bob Woodward's book that show that this mess is worse than we thought possible.

"Secretary Powell is the latest expert to say that it is time for a change, and Connecticut deserves a straight answer from Senator Lieberman about why he continues to ignore these experts by pushing a failed `stay the course' strategy," said Lamont. "Last week, our intelligence agencies said `stay the course' is endangering our security. Early this week, Bob Woodward reported that the administration has misled the American people about the reality on the ground in Iraq. Now, a distinguished military and diplomatic leader like Colin Powell is saying stay the course is a failed policy. When will Joe Lieberman finally face reality?"

"How much more does America's national security have to be compromised before Senator Lieberman stops being an apologist for the Bush administration?" Lamont said. "We now have one of the Bush administration's own national security icons saying it is time for a change. Connecticut deserves a senator who actually listens to our military and intelligence officials - not one who is so reliant on the Bush White House that he refuses to start pushing for a change in a war that is harming our country's security."

These new revelations, combined with new information about Rice's behavior prior to 9/11 and a resurgent Taliban in Afghanistan, demand a response from Senator Lieberman.  Lieberman is running against a phantom 'negative' campaign, hoping to distract from substantive critiques by people like Colin Powell, as well as Lamont's message of change.  At this point, the Connecticut press and people ought to hold Lieberman accountable for his unbelievably poor judgment.  That's democracy in action.  Change is hard, but it's what we need.