Colin Powell Discusses Obama

Asked what he thinks of Barack Obama's political success this year, former Secretary of State Colin Powell had this to say yesterday on PBS: "I'm terribly excited, I'm impressed, and I'm happy for Barack Obama." You can watch the video here.

As AFP notes, Powell urged Americans to "enjoy this moment where a person like Barack Obama can knock down all of these old barriers that people thought existed with respect to the opportunities that are available to African-Americans."

"He is putting himself forward not as a black man but as an American man who wants to be president of the United States of America," Powell added. "We should see Barack as a candidate for president who happens to be black, and not a black candidate for president."

Powell, who is African-American, considered his own presidential run but ultimately decided against it. During the interview, Tavis Smiley told Powell he "could have been Barack Obama."

Powell responded that he had no regrets about his decision and said he takes joy in Obama's success. "Politics wasn't in my blood – it's in Barack's blood," Powell said.