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GOP's Powell Endorses Obama

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The Associated Press

Published: October 20, 2008

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 chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said either candidate, both of them senators, is qualified to be commander in chief. But he said Obama is better suited to handle the nation's economic problems as well as help improve its standing in the world.

"It isn't easy for me to disappoint Sen. McCain in the way that I have this morning, and I regret that," Powell, interviewed on NBC's "Meet the Press," said of his longtime friend, the Arizona senator.

But, he 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."

Powell's endorsement has been much anticipated because he is a Republican with impressive foreign policy credentials.

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 McCain's and Palin's decision to focus in the closing weeks of the contest on Obama's ties to 1960s-era radical William Ayers. A co-founder of the Weather Underground, which claimed responsibility for nonfatal bombings during the Vietnam War-era, Ayers is now a college professor in Chicago.

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

"I don't believe she's ready to be president of the United States," Powell said.

Powell said the nation's economic crisis provided a "final exam" of sorts for the candidates.

"In the case of Mr. McCain I found that he was a little unsure as to how to deal with the economic problems that we were having," Powell said.

In contrast, Powell said Obama "displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge."

McCAIN REACTS

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

Asked whether Powell's endorsement would undercut his campaign's assertion that Barack Obama is not ready to lead, McCain said: "I think the American people will pay close attention to our message for the future and keeping America secure."

The Associated Press

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