Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama for president

By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER

ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

<!--BEGIN ARTICLE--><!--IMAGE-->     This photo provided by NBC, shows former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell speaking during a taping of "Meet the Press" at NBC Sunday Oct. 19, 2008, in Washington. Powell, a Republican who was President Bush's first secretary of state, endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president Sunday, and criticized the tone of Republican John McCain's campaign. (AP Photo/Meet The Press, Brendan Smialowski) <!--END IMAGE--><!-- hobj:092 --><!-- hobj:091 --><!-- hobj:090 --><!--VIDEO-->

View related video

<!--END VIDEO--><!-- AUDIO:092,091,090 -->

WASHINGTON -- Colin Powell, a Republican and retired general who was President Bush's first secretary of state, broke with the party Sunday and endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president, calling him a "transformational figure" while criticizing the tone of John McCain's campaign.

The former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman said either senator is qualified to be commander in chief. But after studying both, he concluded that Obama is better suited than McCain, the standard-bearer of Powell's own party, to handle the nation's economic problems and help improve its world standing.

"It isn't easy for me to disappoint Sen. McCain in the way that I have this morning, and I regret that," Powell said on NBC's "Meet the Press," where he announced the endorsement and delivered a serious blow to the aspirations of his longtime friend, Arizona Sen. McCain.

But, Powell added: "I think we need a transformational figure. I think we need a president who is a generational change and that's why I'm supporting Barack Obama, not out of any lack of respect or admiration for Sen. John McCain."

The endorsement by Powell amounted to a stunning rejection of McCain, a 26-year veteran of Congress and a former Vietnam prisoner of war who has campaigned as the experienced, tested candidate who knows how to keep the country safe.

Powell's endorsement has been much anticipated because of his impressive foreign policy credentials, a subject on which Obama, a first-term senator from Illinois, is weak. Powell is a Republican centrist popular among moderate voters.

At the same time, Powell is a black man and Obama would be the nation's first black president - a goal Powell considered pursuing for himself in 1996, before deciding not to run. Powell said he was cognizant of the racial aspect of his endorsement, but said that was not the dominant factor in his decision.

Powell expressed disappointment in the negative tone of McCain's campaign, his choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as a running mate and their decision to focus in the closing weeks of the contest on Obama's ties to 1960s-era radical William Ayers, saying "it goes too far."

A co-founder of the Weather Underground, which claimed responsibility for nonfatal bombings in the United States during the Vietnam War-era, Ayers is now a college professor who lives in Obama's Chicago neighborhood. He and Obama also served together on civic boards in Chicago.

"This Bill Ayers situation that's been going on for weeks became something of a central point of the campaign," Powell said. "But Mr. McCain says that he's a washed-out terrorist. Well, then, why do we keep talking about him?"

Powell said McCain's choice of Palin raised questions about judgment.

"She's a very distinguished woman, and she's to be admired. But at the same time, now that we have had a chance to watch her for some seven weeks, I don't believe she's ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president," he said. "And so that raised some question in my mind as to the judgment that Sen. McCain made."

In an interview Sunday with New York's WWOR-TV, Palin responded: "I beg to differ with him. Not only will my executive experience be put to very good use ... but also, you know the vision that I share with John McCain."

McCain seemed dismissive of Powell's endorsement, saying he had support from four other former secretaries of state, all veterans of Republican administrations: Henry Kissinger, James A. Baker III, Lawrence Eagleburger and Alexander Haig.

"Well, I've always admired and respected Gen. Powell. We're longtime friends. This doesn't come as a surprise," McCain said on "Fox News Sunday."

Asked whether the endorsement would undercut his campaign's assertion that Obama is not ready to lead, McCain said, "Well, again, we have a very, we have a respectful disagreement, and I think the American people will pay close attention to our message for the future and keeping America secure."

Powell also said he was troubled that some Republicans - he excluded McCain - continue to say or allow others to say that Obama is a Muslim, when he is a Christian. Such rhetoric is polarizing, he said.

"He's always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's no, that's not America," Powell said. "Is there something wrong with some 7-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president?"

Obama called Powell to thank him for the endorsement, Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

"I am beyond honored and deeply humbled to have the support of Gen. Colin Powell," Obama said at a rally in Fayetteville, N.C. "Gen. Powell has defended this nation bravely, and he has embodied our highest ideals through his long and distinguished public service. ... And he knows, as we do, that this is a moment where we all need to come together as one nation - young and old, rich and poor, black and white, Republican and Democrat."

Powell said he remains a Republican, even though he sees the party moving too far to the right. He supports abortion rights and affirmative action, and said McCain and Palin, both opponents of abortion, could put two more conservative justices on the Supreme Court.

"I would have difficulty with two more conservative appointments to the Supreme Court, but that's what we'd be looking at in a McCain administration," Powell said.

Powell chaired the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation's top military post, during the first Gulf war under President George H.W. Bush. As secretary of state, he helped make the case before the United Nations for the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, launched in March 2003.

Powell said the nation's economic crisis provided a "final exam" of sorts for both candidates, suggested McCain had failed the test.

"I found that he was a little unsure as to how to deal with the economic problems that we were having," Powell said. "Almost every day there was a different approach to the problem and that concerned me, sensing that he doesn't have a complete grasp of the economic problems that we had."

In contrast, Powell said Obama "displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge and an approach to looking at problems ... . I think that he has a, a definitive way of doing business that would serve us well."

Colin Powell has always been a man I have admired greatly.  I agree with him when he says this country is going to far right.

Great for Obama........there's not a person in this country who can say anything bad about General Powell.  He's brilliant and steadfast.  Do you think he'll be offered a post on the cabinet if he wins?  If Obama wins, I sure do hope he'd be considered............whether he would if it was asked would be another issue.   Either he didn't like politics or President Bush treated him badly.  I dont know.  But as a bonafide war hero, and If Obama wins, he'd be a good choice for something like Sec. of Defense.  I dont think he'd like Sec of State again.  It is a good article.

dmazment says ...

Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama for president

so? John McCain has several Secretaries of State endorsements. Colin Powell was a great/GREAT general, but not a noteworthy Secretary of State.

mg1021..........one thing I dont think I can be accused of is 'being quiet".  LOL.  There are some McCain supporters who have been waiting a long time to see him attempt running since Bush won the nomination 8 yrs ago for the republicans.   McCain was my guy back then.  The polls look bad for the GOP right now, alot of us have alot of anxiety.  I, for one, have hopes that IF Obama wins, maybe General Powell can be on his cabinet....He's an American Hero, loves our country.   One of my biggest obstacles for  voting for Obama was the people he associated with.  Well, heck fire, Obama has a good man with General Powell and probably has the highest security clearance in the country in his corner whose decisions saved untold lives in the Middle East in the Gulf War, especially when Iraq invaded Kuwait.  I cant believe somebody associated General Powell with Oprah!  Too funny. 

Yes, and what party are they from?

cdnurse says ...

Yes, and what party are they from?

Ginny, They're both from the Repubs party as you well know, but I stand by my original statement that Powell was an GREAT and A-O-K general, 4 star and everthing, but a so-so secretary of state.... His endorsemen of the Obama ticket should mean the same thing that the ANA endorsement of that ticket means: A BIG ZERO.

Don't get me wrong, he's a respectable man, and there are many things he's done for our country; unfortunatley, he represented the USA before the UN and his is guilt by unwitting association..My impression is that he's bitter about that and subsequent events; so why not 'give it to dubya amd 'make it hurt.'

mg1021 says ...

Ehhhh....he seems to be less petty than that and a lot more distinguished.   I doubt it.

He initially sruck me as being less petty, then I started to wonder, because  he's so distinguished. If someone 'hung me out to dry' like was likely done to him, I'd be a bit bitter. What would I do? He still puts is pants on 1 leg at a  time and isn't above human foibles.

mg1021 says ...

This is not looking so good for McCain.....I'm really sorry McCain/Palon supporters, but it's really looking like Obama is going to win.  Yayyy......

Scott McClellan, former White House Press Secretary for Bush....announced that he is supporting Obama as well.  (Join the crowd buddy!!)  We're happy to have your support!!!!!

So, this is what he said to Larry King this evening...

"Obama has the temperament, judgement, and strength of character",  He "has the potential to be a transcendent leader and take America in a positive direction".  "He governs in a pragmatic way and will get things done"

 

So, Scott McClellan; not exactly the person I'd hope to have behind me. he became agin the  Repubs after a diisgrace. Colin Powell was a GREAT general, but as a politician, so, so.  And LARRY KING? Mr. Hollywood? That's like getting your reliable news from Doonsbury.!

JUDLEERN,

You're so ballsy and real.....I love it! 

ckruszka says ...

Sorry, but when I saw Powell endorsed Obama, I thought, Wow, Like Oprah, race trumps some people's beliefs. Please don't tell me Powell actually agrees with Obama's liberal leanings and radical aquaintances. I just don't buy it.

 

Am I reading this right?

.... you actually believe the only reason he supports Obama is because they are both Black?

amazing....and sad...

 

I think it may be playing a part. I also think he's not happy with the way things went for his poltical career, and this is his way of saying"kiss my butt." So, how is it sad?

What ? That I'm saying he's human and may have underlying reasons for what he did? As I posted earlier, I just don't buy that he actually agrees with the left. Doesn't ring true. This is his "payback" to the Republican Bush White House.

That should not be a reason to endorse a candidate that goes against what you stand for. Why did he wait so long to say something? Again, kinda fishy . I'm entitled to my opinion. As for grouping him with Oprah, yes he's doing the same as she.

She always champions womens rights, supposedly above evreything else. Then, she kicks Hillary to the curb the minute a black man comes into the primaries. I think that's crappy. I have stopped watching her show, and I used to love her. She seemed geared to women, who made up her audience. She has offended many. I have lost respect for both Mr. Powell, and Ms. Winfrey.