Colin Powell endorses Obama

[labby]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/...ell/index.html

(CNN) -- Former Secretary of State Colin Powell announced Sunday that he will be voting for Sen. Barack Obama, citing the Democrat's "ability to inspire" and the "inclusive nature of his campaign."
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell says he is voting for Barack Obama.

"He has both style and substance. I think he is a transformational figure," Powell said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

"Obama displayed a steadiness. Showed intellectual vigor. He has a definitive way of doing business that will do us well," Powell said.

Powell, a retired U.S. general and a Republican, was once seen as a possible presidential candidate himself.

Powell said he questioned Sen. John McCain's judgment in picking Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate because he doesn't think she is ready to be president.

He also said he was disappointed with some of McCain's campaign tactics, such as bringing up Obama's ties to former 1960s radical Bill Ayers.

Powell served as secretary of state under President Bush from 2001 to 2005.

The notion of a Powell endorsement has been rumored for several months.

On August 13, Powell's office denied a report on Fox by commentator Bill Kristol that Powell had decided to publicly back Obama at the Democratic National Convention.

Several sources said at the time that Powell had not made a decision about a possible endorsement.

"As always, he is holding his cards close and waiting for more information," one adviser told CNN's John King in August.

Powell himself brushed off queries on any potential presidential nod but told ABC News on August 13 that he would not be going to Denver, Colorado, for the convention.

"I do not have time to waste on Bill Kristol's musings," he said. "I am not going to the convention. I have made this clear."

In February, Powell told CNN's Wolf Blitzer that he was weighing an endorsement of a Democratic or independent candidate.

"I am keeping my options open at the moment," Powell said.

"I have voted for members of both parties in the course of my adult life. And as I said earlier, I will vote for the candidate I think can do the best job for America, whether that candidate is a Republican, a Democrat or an independent," he added.

Powell has offered praise for Obama, calling him an "exciting person on the political stage."

"He has energized a lot of people in America," said Powell, who briefly weighed his own run for the White House in the mid-1990s. "He has energized a lot of people around the world. And so I think he is worth listening to and seeing what he stands for."

Powell's adviser has said that "he likes and admires John McCain, and that would be a factor in anything he does if he decides to get more involved."

Another source close to Powell said he has known the Republican nominee for more than three decades "and likes him and is looking for a reason to vote for him. He hasn't found it yet."

The former general, who has largely steered clear of politics since leaving the Bush administration, noted that the next president will need to work to restore America's standing in the world.

Powell gave the keynote address at the Republican National Convention in support of George W. Bush in 2000.

"I will ultimately vote for the person I believe brings to the American people the kind of vision the American people want to see for the next four years," he said. "A vision that reaches out to the rest of the world, that starts to restore confidence in America, that starts to restore favorable ratings to America. Frankly, we've lost a lot in recent years."

Powell's adviser also said at the time that the vice presidential picks for both candidates would be a major factor in his decision, both for the quality of each man's running mate and for what sort of "signal that choice sends about the character and judgment of the candidate."

He also said that a Powell decision to back Obama would not be a surprise.

[Garth]

It gets interestinger & interestinger. :suspious: I'm willing to bet he'll switch allegiance completely & become one of Obamas key advisors because like it or not, you guys WILL have him (Obama) for your next president.

[imported_CindersMyGirl]

Okay, now this is just funny in an article endorsing Obama.

Powell said he questioned Sen. John McCain's judgment in picking Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate because he doesn't think she is ready to be president.

[imported_Nick]

I think this is one of the few endorsements that does matter. I think know there are a lot of Republicans that want to vote for Obama, but they just can't quite bring themselves to do so. Powell provides a lot of cover for them because he's so well respected. He's a Persian Gulf war hero, he's a nice guy, and people generally like him.

[talleyJudy]

Speaking of endorsements, this makes for some interesting reading:

http://www.politicallyincorrectfacts...dorsements.htm

:death:

[Jinx]

virginia has voted republican for the last 44 years. it's a key battle ground state. obama is ahead in the polls here. i'm too lazy to look up the exact numbers this morning.

*this doesn't really go in this tread, but i wanted to throw it in and didn't want to start a new one.

[Champsmom]

I'm a Democrat, and i'm not voting for Obama, but then again i live in the western part of PA, and according to our congressman we're racists. Gotta love politics.

[imported_zoezoe]

Well that sure DID NOT come as a surprise....

[Champsmom]

Well that sure DID NOT come as a surprise....

I just laugh. I mean there couldn't be any other possible reason that you wouldn't be voting for him. You have to be a racist because afterall he is perfect.

[Di]

Well that sure DID NOT come as a surprise....

I just laugh. I mean there couldn't be any other possible reason that you wouldn't be voting for him. You have to be a racist because afterall he is perfect.

There was a time I would of voted for Colin Powell if had run for President, probably still would. As for his endorsement it does nothing to change my mind.