Powell endorses Obama as 'transformational'
Mike Allen ? 23 mins ago
AP ? Retired General Colin L. Powell, one of the country's most respected Republicans, stunned both parties on Sunday by strongly endorsing Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for president on NBC's "Meet the Press" and laying out a blistering, detailed critique of the modern GOP.
"I think he is a transformational figure," Powell said. "He is a new generation coming ... onto the world stage and on the American stage. And for that reason, I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama."
Powell, making his 30th appearance on "Meet the Press," led into that by saying: "We've got two individuals ? either one of them could be a good president. But which is the president that we need now ? which is the individual that serves the needs of the nation for the next period of time.
"And I come to the conclusion that because of his ability to inspire, because of the inclusive nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities ? and you have to take that into account ? as well as his substance ? he has both style and substance, he has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president."
Powell, speaking live in the studio, told moderator Tom Brokaw that he is "troubled" by the direction of the Republican Party and statements by the campaign of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), and said he does not believe Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is ready to be president.
The statement will help Obama convince skeptical centrists that he is ready to handle the challenges of commander in chief, and undercuts McCain argument that he is better qualified on national security.
Powell, 71, criticized McCain for invoking the former domestic terrorist William Ayers as an Obama associate.
"They're trying to connect him to some kind of terrorist feelings, and I think that's inappropriate," Powell said. "Now I understand what politics is all about ? I know how you can go after one another. And that's good. But I think this goes too far. And I think it has made the McCain campaign look a little narrow. It's not what the American people are looking for. And I look at these kinds of approaches to the campaign, and they trouble me.
"And the party has moved even further to the right, and Governor Palin has indicated a further rightward shift. I would have difficult with two more conservative appointments to the Supreme Court, but that's what we'd be looking at in a McCain administration."
Powell said he has "heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion [that Obama's] a Muslim and might be associated with terrorists."
"This is not the way we should be doing it in America. I feel strongly about this particular point," Powell said. "We have got to stop polarizing ourselves in this way. And John McCain is as non-discriminatory as anyone I know. But I'm troubled about the fact that within the party, we have these kinds of expressions."
Powell, a four-star Army general, was national security adviser to President Ronald Reagan; chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the 1991 Persian Gulf war, when George H.W. Bush was president; and President George W. Bush?s first secretary of State,
Powell has consulted with both Obama and McCain, and the general?s camp has indicated in the past that he would not endorse.
"I've really been going back and forth," he said. He added that if he were choosing on the basis of race, he would have made his choice months ago.
Powell said McCain ?was a little unsure about how to deal with the economic problems.?
Powell said a big job of the new president will be ?conveying a new image of American leadership, a new image of America?s role in the world.?
?I think what the president has to do is to start using the power of the Oval Office and the power of his personality to convince the American people and to convince the world that America is solid, America is going to move forward ? restoring a sense of purpose,? he said.
McCain, appearing on Fox News Sunday, sought to minimize the endorsement by noting his support from other former Secretaries of State and retired military flag officers.
"It doesn?t come as a surprise," McCain said. "I'm very pleased to have the endorsement of four former Secretaries of State, well over 200 retired generals and admirals. I've admired and continue to respect Secretary Powell."
