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.
Powell said the election of Obama would “electrify the world.”
“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.”
Moderator Tom Brokaw said: “There will be some … who will say this is an African-American, distinguished American supporting another African-American because of race.”
“I can’t deny that it will be a historic event when an African-American becomes president,” Powell continued, speaking live in the studio. “And should that happen, all Americans should be proud — not just African-American, but all Americans — that we have reached this point in our national history where such a thing could happen. It would also not only electrify the country, but electrify the world.”
“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 said that he is “troubled” by the direction of the Republican Party, and said he began to doubt Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) when he chose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.
Now what will the spin doctors have to say about this? Better they will not attack Powell the way they are attacking Obama. They may have cajones but they are not that big.
This is truly a major endorsement. I had a feeling that Powell would be smart enough to NOT vote for McCain, but I didn’t think he’d actually say it out loud before the election! He made some outstanding points in his press conference after the MSNBC interview, explaining why he couldn’t vote for his own friend, McCain, and why we’ve all got to work together as a nation to fix this mess we’re in,… and the absurdity of the GOP campaign as it continues to drive an ideological wedge through the heart of this country, using fear tactics and false accusations of Obama’s socialism and “terrorist allies.”
Powell has one of the highest approval ratings of any political figure in this nation. This is a big bonus for Obama.
Damn it is early! I will be watching to see if the attack machine is capable of saying anything negative a bout Powell. Personal, I do not think they have the nuts.
Yep, some Republicans are pulling the race card on Powell. It’s a shame that they’re not allowing him to think for himself. He’s simply thinking “as a black man,” in their small and primitive minds.