FOUR-STAR SEAL OF APPROVAL: POWELL OFFICIALLY ENDORSES OBAMA

"Senator Obama brings a fresh set of eyes, fresh set of ideas to the table. Senator McCain, as gifted as he is, is essentially going to execute the Republican agenda, the orthodoxy of the Republican agenda with a new face and a maverick approach to it, and he’d be quite good at it, but I think we need more than that." -Retired Gen. Colin L. Powell

Barack Obama this morning scored his weightiest individual endorsement, as retired four-star general, former national security adviser, former United States Secretary of State and arguably the world's leading soldier-statesman Colin L. Powell enthusiastically endorsed Barack Obama for president on NBC's "Meet the Press." Powell, who served in the cabinet of two Republican presidents, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, cited Obama's "intellectual vigor," "steadiness" and his "ability to bridge racial, generational and econmic lines" for why he will vote for him on election day.
"Because of (Obama's) ability to inspire, the inclusive nature of his camapaign...and because of his style and substance, he is in a position to be a good president...an exceptional president," Powell said. "We need a transformational figure and Obama is a transformational figure."
Powell, citing his 25-year friensdhip with Republican nominee John McCain, said McCain constantly wavered on his economic policies, that his vice presidential pick, Sarah Palin is not ready to assume the presidency in the event of McCain's untimely incapacitation or death. Powell, a Republican, said the party his moved too far to the right and called the McCain campaign's frequent and continued mention of Obama's limited association with William Ayers and the robocalls "damagoguery."
Powell acknowledged differences of opinion with Obama on the handling of the Iraq War, but Powell said he agrees with the current negotiations between the Bush administration and the current Iraqi government on American troop withdrawal.
For more on Powell's life and career history, follow the link below.
achievement.org
For the video of Powell endorsing Obama, click the link below.
nytimes.com