Colin Powell Endorses Obama

Former Secretary Of State Calls Democratic Nominee A "Transformational Figure"

(CBS/ AP)  Former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president Sunday, describing the Illinois senator as a "transformational figure."

Powell said both Obama and Republican John McCain are 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 was an endorsement which also included a blistering critique of the Republican campaign tactics and specifically John McCain's selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate, reports CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds. And in his statement, Powell said Obama presented a more positive choice for the country.

"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."

"But I firmly believe that at this point in America's history, we need a president that will not just continue, even with a new face and with the changes and with some maverick aspects, who will not just continue basically the policies that we have been following in recent years," Powell said.

"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."

"I have been honored to have the benefit of his wisdom and counsel from time to time over the last few years, but today, I am beyond honored and deeply humbled to have the support of Gen. Colin Powell," Obama said.

It's just the kind of high profile pat on the back that Obama will use to fight off Republican charges that he lacks the experience and the ability to be President, Reynolds reports.

McCain, appearing on "Fox News Sunday." responded to the endorsement.

"I've always admired and respected General Powell," McCain said. "We're longtime friends. This doesn't come as a surprise, but I'm also very pleased to have the endorsement of four former Secretaries of State - Secretaries Kissinger, Baker, Eagleburger and Haig. And I'm proud to have the endorsement of well over 200 retired Army generals and admirals, but I respect and continue to respect and admire Secretary Powell."

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 in remarks prepared for 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's endorsement has been much anticipated because he is a Republican with impressive foreign policy credentials. At the same time, he is a black man and Obama would be the nation's first black president.

Powell said he was cognizant of the racial aspect of his endorsement, but said that was not the dominant factor in his decision. If it was, he said, he would have made the endorsement months ago.

Powell served as secretary of state in President Bush's first term, and helped make the case before the United Nations for the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003. A retired general, Powell also was the nation's top military commander, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during the first Gulf war under President George H.W. Bush.

McCain said he disagreed that Obama is qualified to be president.

"We have a respectful disagreement," McCain, interviewed on "Fox News Sunday," said of Powell.

Powell said McCain has been a good friend for 25 years. But Powell expressed disappointment in the negative tone of McCain's campaign, as well as in his choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as the Republican vice presidential nominee.

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

Powell said he does not plan to campaign for Obama.

On CBS' Face The Nation, supporters of both campaigns reacted to the endorsement.

Republicans Gov. Matt Blunt of Missouri and former Rep. Rob Portman of Ohio both said they don’t think the endorsement would affect the race in their states, both battlegrounds.

"I don't know that it will make a difference in Missouri. You know, Missourians admire Colin Powell for his many years of service to our country, but in the end they're going to evaluate where the candidates on issues that are important to them," Blunt told host Bob Schieffer.

"I don't think it makes a big difference," added Portman. "Endorsements are typically overrated I think. But Colin Powell is well respected. I was interested to see that he said this morning that he thought either man would be a good president. It didn't surprise me a lot because I've heard General Powell talk about both candidates. He says he respects both men but he's always had a special admiration for Senator Obama."

But Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine of Virginia had a different view, saying he thought the endorsement would make a difference in favor of his candidate and calling it "very important" in his state.

"General Powell is not seen as a dividing figure but a uniting figure. And so him vouching for Senator Obama convinces those of us who want to see a greater unification of the nation that he's the right guy," he said. "Second, General Powell is not an ideological figure. He's a pragmatic person. And so those of us who are, you know, pragmatists first who worry about results and just trying to do the right thing and manage government well, I think they'll see the endorsement by General Powell very positively. Finally it vouches for the senator in terms of that critical issue. We know he has plans to make a change in direction of national security policy. To have the confidence of General Powell in this election is very important. Virginians care about this. We're a state that loves the military. A lot of installations, a lot of folks in service or veterans. So General Powell's endorsement will mean a lot to Virginians, especially the undecideds and Independents."

Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida said she also thought the endorsement would "resonate" there.

"We have thousands of military retirees in the state of Florida," she said. "And I think what Colin Powell's endorsement does say is it shows that Barack Obama can build bridges across party lines. He's going to be able to reach out and bring in and embrace different ideas and, you know, isn't necessarily, you know, cut from one particular cloth."

Read more from the debate on Face The Nation here.

[riptide213]

Where General Powell marches, many will follow.

Next President and Commander in Chief will benefit from embracing a few Colin Powell valid leadership lessons.

Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off.

The day soldiers or in this case voters stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.

Don''t be buffaloed by experts and elites. Experts often possess more data than judgment. Elites can become so inbred that they produce hemophiliacs who bleed to death as soon as they are nicked by the real world.

Don''t be afraid to challenge the pros, even in their own backyard.

Never let your ego get so close to your position that when your position goes, your ego goes with it.

Fit no stereotypes. Don''t chase the latest management fads. Situation dictates which approach best accomplishes the team''''s mission.

Perpetual optimism is a multiplier.

Look for intelligence and judgment and, most critically, a capacity to anticipate, to see around corners. Also look for loyalty, integrity, a high energy drive, a balanced ego and the drive to get things done.

Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can understand.


VERITAS VOS LIBERABIT

[xraydude2000]

These are facts on Gov. Palin as reported by Factcheck.org, CBS, ABC, NBC, CNN. Just to name a few. Everyone should do their own research. I challenge anyone to look these up.

[ernieb52]

TexwLove:
You obviously did not listen to Powell''s reasons for his endorsement. If it was about race, he would have endorsed months ago; why wait until now? Use your brain (ooops, I forgot, you don''have one). You are the RACIST. Why should Powell endorse McCain and who wants one of the most unintelligent women ever elected to any office a heart beat away from the Presidency? Sarah Palin is scary. Powell is an honorable man who loves his country and has served his country well as is McCain and what makes this country is that we have freedom of choice. Freedom to endorse, love or reject whomever we choose. I think you are the in the wrong country.

[xraydude2000]

I CHALLENGE ANYONE TO DISPUTE THESE FACTS

1) GUILTY OF ETHICS VIOLATION IN ALASKA by 10 Republicans and 4 Democrats. The Republicans called for the investigation and they had the majority to end it if they wanted but they didn''t.

2) SHE BLATANTLY LIED ON "THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE". This raises serious questions of her character and her faith.

3) BELIEVES THAT PROXIMITY TO ANOTHER COUNTRY AUTOMATICALLY GIVES YOU INSIGHT AND EXPERIENCE INTO THEIR GOVERNMENT. Are you kidding me? Anyone who actually believes this should not be in any leadership position in our government especially if they are making decisions based on this concept. Especially if they''re going to be giving orders to General Petraeus, General Odierno, and our men and women fighting oversees. IT IS DELUSIONAL AND DANGEROUS.

4) INQUIRED "HYPOTHETICALLY" ABOUT BANNING BOOKS. She actually fired the Librarian over this but rescinded the termination after a public outcry.

5) AS MAYOR OF WASILLA, A TOWN OF ~7,000, STARTED WITH NO DEBT AND LEFT IT WITH A DEBT OF 22 MILLION DOLLARS. This is an incredible per capita figure.

6) SHE CAN''T NAME A SUPREME COURT DECISION OTHER THAN ROE V WADE. This shows a complete lack of curiosity and knowledge about the our government.

McCain failed in his first executive decision by choosing Palin to succeed him if something were to happen.

This is an endorsement for Obama. But if Palin were a democrat and Obama had chosen her, it would be an endorsement for McCain.

[ernieb52]

To bracenic and TexwLove:

Why the big fuss because Powell endorsed Obama? Lieberman endorsed McCain across party lines. Lieberman even spoke at the Republican Convention and he is a supposed Independent Democrat? Did Lieberman endorse McCain because he was white? You make no sense and have no common sense. You are both racists and both angry because Powell did not endorse McCain and Palin.

[bracemic]

...kind of odd that Powell would endorse Obama when they are political opposites. I don''t see any other conservative Republicans joining the bandwagon. Mr. Powell is being a little obvious with this move. He basically agrees with Obama being black, and that''s about it.

[jon_mccain]

Real clear markets give McCain a 14.6% chance of winning.

Rasmussen markets give him a 15.1% chance.

[whosaid1]

Most of those who served with General Powell in the 80''s will tell you that he took the mentoring and development and advancement of young black officers very seriously...this seems to be an extension of that thought process. And thats ok...it''s his right....but...at the same time, it is certainly about race.

[jon_mccain]

Strange, there''''s another ten standing right behind them that didn''''t donate anything, but voting for McCain!

Posted by FromTexwlove a

Do you actually have proof to substantiate that claim, or is it yet another "fact" that you pulled out of your a$$?

[jon_mccain]

Strange, the three soldiers in Iraq in my family are all supporting McCain as well their troop buddies, and they haven''''t had a bit of problems from anybody...but please honk on with such nonsense...it just further proves how whacky Oslima supporters are.

Posted by FromTexwlove at

Strange, the AP reported that US troops were giving to Obama''s campaign at a six to one ratio over those giving to McCain, but in your own words "honk on".

[fleura-2009]

Barack Obama Rules!!!

[fleura-2009]

There is no Greater Republican out there bigger than "Colin Powell". Even I truest and most loyal Democrat in the Washington Metropolitan can testify to Colin Powell''''s stature.

Colin Powell is a giant in the RNC compared to John McCain. You know it and we all know that for fact!!!

Go Powell...it''''s time for a Republican with brains to step it up!!!

[fleura-2009]

Fromtexlow,

Wake up now cowboy and join in with the party, where it counts. We love our Obama/Biden ticket so much that even the truest of Republicans can''t help but join in with with the winners.

Obama/Biden 2008!

[fleura-2009]

Colin Powell is a giant in RNC and he supports the Obama/Biden ticket. What...you people need brains to figure out what''s going on here?

Wake up and drop the tequilla...all you Sashas MPalin.

[fleura-2009]

There is no Greater Republican out there bigger than "Colin Powell". Even I truest and most loyal Democrat in the Washington Metropolitan can testify to Colin Powell''s stature.

Colin Powell is a giant in the RNC compared to John McCain. You know it and we all know that for fact!!!

Go Powell...it''s time for a Republican with brains to step it up!!!

[fleura-2009]

Dhutch,

Check your books first before criticising your fellow republicans, you have the Sarah Dumb Palins out there and you have the brainy "Colin Powells". Now you check the facts and rethink your statement.

McCain portrayed yet another poor judgement by picking this Sarah Palin chick with less-than-brains.

We love you Obama/Biden!!!

[fleura-2009]

Only one party to unite us all: Barack Obama & Joe Biden!

Barack/Biden couldn''t have better ratings than having truest of Republicans endorsing Barack still this late in the race.

Obama/Biden 2008!

[DCropp]

Ouch, this hits McCain in two ways.

1) McCain has praised Powell for years. Now, Powell says Obama is better suited to handle a crisis. Any attack from McCain on military preparedness and Obama will run ads with McCain praising Powell, followed by Powell endorsing Obama.

2) McCain can no longer attack Obama for not working with Republicans. Powell is one of the most respected centrist Republicans in America. Obama will now be able to use Powell, Luger, and Hagel to fend off these attacks.

In addition, Palin''s Socialist giveaway of $3000 to Alaskan citizens is starting to be mentioned in the media. Palin''s use of Socialism may be the end of her political career.

[zhynaryll]

Well, I suppose race is stronger than your country, eh Gen. Powell? You definitely lost my respect and admiration. Your loss.....

[chicnlittle]

She also uses code words like ''''ghetto'''' and ''''welfare'''' when speaking of senator Obama.


Where do you libs get this stuff? It''s precious.