It's official: Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama

Retired Army Gen. Colin L. Powell, an advisor to the last three Republican presidents, said today that he is crossing party lines to support the Democratic candidate for the White House.

“I think he is a transformational figure … and for that reason, I’ll be voting for Barack Obama,” Powell said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” (We'll publish excerpts from Powell's comments on the jump; click the Read more line to get there.)

“We need a president who will not just continue … basically the policies that we have been following in recent years,” said Powell, who once briefly considered his own run for the 1996 Republican presidential nomination. “We need a president who is a generational change.”

The 71-year-old Powell, who was President Bush’s first secretary of State and served Bush's father as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Ronald Reagan as national security advisor, said he believed that Obama had the style and substance to be successful in the role at a time when America must be better represented and involved on the world stage.   He cited a need to speak to world figures “who we have not been willing to talk to before.”

“This is a time for outreach,” Powell said.

He cited the Illinois senator’s “ability to inspire” and the “inclusive nature of his campaign.”  He said that Obama in recent weeks has “displayed a steadiness” and “showed intellectual vigor” in ...

... addressing issues as diverse as the economy and the selection of his running mate -- Sen. Joe Biden, one of the Senate's leading experts on foreign affairs.

But despite his long friendship with and admiration for the Republican nominee, John McCain, Powell said he was concerned about the Arizona senator's approach to those same two issues. "I found that he was a little unsure as to deal with the economic problems that we were having, and almost every day there was a different approach to the problem," Powell said of McCain.

As for McCain's running-mate choice (Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin), Powell said that "now that we have had a chance to watch her for some seven weeks, I don't believe she's ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president. And so that raised some question in my mind as to the judgment that Sen. McCain made."

The election of Obama as president, Powell said, would “electrify the country and electrify the world.”

(For another take on the Powell endorsement, see our colleague Frank James over at the Swamp.)

-- Richard B. Schmitt

Photo credit: Associated Press / "Meet the Press," Brendan Smialowski

Excerpts from Colin Powell's comments on NBC's "Meet the Press" Oct. 19, 2008:

BROKAW: In all your years of public service, have you ever seen an incoming president face such daunting challenges?

GEN. POWELL: No. I have seen more difficult times in our history. I think about the early '70s when we were going through Watergate, Spiro Agnew, Nixon period, that was not a good time. But right now we're also facing a very daunting period. And I think the number one issue the president's going to have to deal with is the economy.

That's what the American people are worried about. And, frankly, it's not just an American problem, it's an international problem. We can see how all of these economies are now linked in this globalized system. And I think that'll be number one.

The president will also have to make decisions quickly as to how to deal with Iraq and Afghanistan. And also I think the president has to reach out to the world and show that there is a new president, a new administration that is looking forward to working with our friends and allies. And in my judgment, also willing to talk to people who we have not been willing to talk to before. Because this is a time for outreach.

...

BROKAW: General Powell, actually you gave a campaign contribution to Senator McCain. You have met twice at least with Barack Obama. Are you prepared to make a public declaration of which of these two candidates that you're prepared to support?

GEN. POWELL: Yes, but let me lead into it this way. I know both of these individuals very well now. I've known John for 25 years as your setup said. And I've gotten to know Mr. Obama quite well over the past two years. Both of them are distinguished Americans who are patriotic, who are dedicated to the welfare of our country. Either one of them, I think, would be a good president.

I have said to Mr. McCain that I admire all he has done. I have some concerns about the direction that the party has taken in recent years. It has moved more to the right than I would like to see it, but that's a choice the party makes.

And I've said to Mr. Obama, "You have to pass a test of do you have enough experience, and do you bring the judgment to the table that would give us confidence that you would be a good president." And I've watched him over the past two years, frankly, and I've had this conversation with him.

I have especially watched over the last six of seven weeks as both of them have really taken a final exam with respect to this economic crisis that we are in and coming out of the conventions. And I must say that I've gotten a good measure of both.

In the case of Mr. McCain, I found that he was a little unsure as to deal with the economic problems that we were having and almost every day there was a different approach to the problem. And that concerned me, sensing that he didn't have a complete grasp of the economic problems that we had.

And I was also concerned at the selection of Governor Palin. She's a very distinguished woman, and she's to be admired; but at the same time, now that we have had a chance to watch her for some seven weeks, I don't believe she's ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president. And so that raised some question in my mind as to the judgment that Senator McCain made.

On the Obama side, I watched Mr. Obama and I watched him during this seven-week period. And he displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge and an approach to looking at problems like this and picking a vice president that, I think, is ready to be president on day one.

And also, in not just jumping in and changing every day, but showing intellectual vigor. I think that he has a, a definitive way of doing business that would serve us well.

I also believe that on the Republican side over the last seven weeks, the approach of the Republican Party and Mr. McCain has become narrower and narrower.

Mr. Obama, at the same time, has given us a more inclusive, broader reach into the needs and aspirations of our people. He's crossing lines-- ethnic lines, racial lines, generational lines. He's thinking about all villages have values, all towns have values, not just small towns have values.

And I've also been disappointed, frankly, by some of the approaches that Senator McCain has taken recently, or his campaign ads, on issues that are not really central to the problems that the American people are worried about.

This Bill Ayers situation that's been going on for weeks became something of a central point of the campaign. But Mr. McCain says that he's a washed-out terrorist. Well, then, why do we keep talking about him?

And why do we have these robocalls going on around the country trying to suggest that, because of this very, very limited relationship that Senator Obama has had with Mr. Ayers, somehow, Mr. Obama is tainted. What they're trying to connect him to is some kind of terrorist feelings. And I think that's inappropriate.

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 difficulty with two more conservative appointments to the Supreme Court, but that's what we'd be looking at in a McCain administration.

I'm also troubled by not what Senator McCain says, but what members of the party say. And it is permitted to be said such things as, "Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim." Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim, he's a Christian. He's always been a Christian.

But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's no, that's not America.

Is there something wrong with some 7-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president? Yet I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion, "He's a Muslim and he might be associated terrorists." This is not the way we should be doing it in America.

I feel strongly about this particular point because of a picture I saw in a magazine. It was a photo essay about troops who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. And one picture at the tail end of this photo essay was of a mother in Arlington Cemetery, and she had her head on the headstone of her son's grave. And as the picture focused in, you could see the writing on the headstone. And it gave his awards--Purple Heart, Bronze Star--showed that he died in Iraq, gave his date of birth, date of death. He was 20 years old.

And then, at the very top of the headstone, it didn't have a Christian cross, it didn't have the Star of David, it had crescent and a star of the Islamic faith. And his name was Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, and he was an American. He was born in New Jersey. He was 14 years old at the time of 9/11, and he waited until he can go serve his country, and he gave his life. [For more on this soldier, go here.]

Now, we have got to stop polarizing ourself in this way. And John McCain is as nondiscriminatory as anyone I know. But I'm troubled about the fact that, within the party, we have these kinds of expressions.

So, when I look at all of this and I think back to my Army career, 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 we 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.

I think he is a transformational figure. He is a new generation coming into the world-- onto the world stage, onto the American stage, and for that reason I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama.

BROKAW: Will you be campaigning for him as well?

GEN. POWELL: I don't plan to. Two weeks left, let them go at each other in the finest tradition. But I will be voting for him.

Comments

[TJK]

Obama is for big government, our country is #11T in debt and needs sound fisacal policy like balancing the budget. Bush made some big mistakes as preseidnt but nothing as damaging as letting the fed debt go from $4.5T to $11T...and now Obama wants more of the same.

I don't care of MLK himself came down from the heavens with an endorsement, Barack Obama and his policies are going to be the final nail in this contry's economic coffin.

[Looking for answers]

Need a little help here with the Obama experience factor. I know he went to Harvard, worked as a lawyer, wrote a couple of books. How long has he been a senator and how long into his term as senator was he befor throwing his hat in the ring for president? What did he do between lawyer and senator?

[Greg]

I can't think of any higher endorsement than Powell's. It's just too bad Powell didn't run for president himself. I would have voted for him in a heartbeat. Though to be honest, I don't feel he has the demeanor for it, like Obama hast. Powell's super smart, experienced and respected, but America needs someone like Obama right now, to inspire and electrify. Powell would have made an excellent VP choice too.

Now the desperate neo-republicans will show their true colors, like Huckleberry above.

[Sean]

That was a very inspiring endorsement. I'm independent and regret to state that I voted for Bush twice. However, this election I will be voting for Barack. I consider myself an independent and I think Obama brings a lot to the table. I sincerely respect McCain for all he's done for our country, but I think it's time we put aside our differences and put the country first. I believe Obama will take this country in a direction that our country desperately needs and is a fresh face. We can't afford to continue to go down the path of Bush and I believe McCain will continue down that dead-end of a road.

[Umberto Zanabria]

We are witnessing the world taken over by the Narco-Petro dollars in Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina, and Bolivia. In the US large amounts of money from "UN-NAMED" source such as Hugo Chavez’s Multimillion dollars packaged luggages have been channeled to the LEFT.
Now the left can buy the pollsters and the MSNBCS's of the world to propagate their hate, the portrayal of terrorist lovers as heroes, and in-morals and people haters as nice guys. But, the ones that believe in working hard for what you want and a free non-socialist America will stay the course and vote for McCain and Palin.

[sk1966]

Duh .... did anyone really think that he was going to endorse anybody but Obama. The OJ Simpson trial verdict taught the American people that the blacks will support the blacks whether they are wrong or right, good or bad ... it doesn't matter!

The saddest part about this entire election is that the American people have been so traumatize by the Bush Regime, that they can't see what is coming. Barack Obama is a socialist and will lead this nation into further ruin. You can't expect the decent people of this nation who work hard to succeed to support the slackers who walk the streets, commit crimes, abandon their children, and hold their hands out for welfare.

[yeecenan]

Shocker.

[aregor]

Just how credible is Colin Powell? He was the one who persuaded Bush to go to WAR with Iraq, right? With all this false testimonies to the UN and the whole world adored him, how true his scenarios built on LIES! Now I know - I am not a racist, BUT "black" species really toll along with each other - no matter WHAT! I hate the republicans, the reason why I voted for the Democrats in the previous elections - but somehow there is a feeling in me that Barack will not make a good president because of all his subordinates! I WILL JUST GO TO BED ON ELECTION DAY!

[jan]

I always said I would vote for Colin Powell for President. If he ever runs he has now lost my vote.

[Spaniel]

One of the expedients of party to acquire influence within particular districts is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts. You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heartburnings which spring from these misrepresentations; they tend to render alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection.

[R Singh]

Yes I sincerely think Powell betrayed those who made him what he is today. The Republicans. Sadly all black caucus's do this in the end. Even the Nation of Islam. Here is a lesson to all who reward those who later betray them. Enjoy black history month!

[Pat]

I can't believe that some folks...

This is COLIN POWELL! This is a man with years of military, government, and foreign policy experience. This is a man who has attempted to shepherd the country through incredibly difficult times and yet remain honorable and above partisan bickering.

And yet /he's/ going to be pilloried by the right? Attempting to call his endorsement /racist?/

The man likes ABBA! He's not a muslim fundamentalist radical. If anything, he's as afraid of Dominionist radicals like Palin taking over.

[Jim]

Being a retired military man with numerous years in the Strategic Air Command, I'd have to ask the General if he really thought this through? I doubt very much a man of his prestige and experience would advocate giving control of the US nuclear forces to a 1st Lt, or maybe a Captain with only 4 or even 8 years of experience!

I used to have immense respect for the General, but I'm afraid he just made the biggest military blunder of his career!

Retired USAF

[GHWB]

As my Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Collin Powell was a highly trusted and knowledgeable advisor. I trust his judgement without question, and I will also be supporting the Democrat nominee, Barack Obama, for President of the United States.

[dom]

It's a relief that he didn't endorse McCain.

Powell waited till near the end of the process to see which way the crowd might be leading according to polls, then ran out in front of it to lead it.

Big general cannot tell the difference between questionable intelligence concerning WMD, and now cannot tell the difference between The One and McCain.

Powell made a serious mistake with his machinations. He sprung his 'ambush' eleven days too early.

Just like many times before, Powell is fighting the previous war rather than the current situation -- a democrat controlled House, Senate, and Presidency.

[Squaller]

Powell knows what he's talking about, bottom line.
If you are aware of his past loyalties this decision must have been pretty tough for him.
For a former four star General to prefer a civilian without any military experience over a war hero like McCain says something more about McCain than it does Obama.

[JM]

>>"He is confident in economic plans are are blatantly stupid and destined to fail"
Whoever said this needs to review Obama's economic plans. They sure make a lot more sense than the Bush tax cuts. Even McCain said he couldn't go along with the Bush tax cuts until he decided to run for president, and then the Republican Party basically faced him to accept their ideas. That shows me that McCain is not a man of integrity.

[IowaRose]

The posters here who are typing Republican talking points about "pro-America" and "against this great country" are only parroting Sarah Palin, who's parroting her neocon speech writers. That means you're two steps removed from having an original thought of your own, which is a very sad state of affairs for this country.
I don't know if the Powell endorsement will translate to anything in the election, but I have genuine respect for a person who's willing to make up his own mind--as I do for any politician crossing lines, even Lieberman, whom I detest. It gives me hope that there are still some people in this country who come up with opinions of their own instead of mindlessly repeating what they hear on the news or feel pressured to say out of fear.

[Gaffney]

The ignorance in this discussion board is the very thing Powell was disturbed about by the Republican party. These types of peoples' blinding prejudice is keeping their minds sealed shut.

[jON]

Colin powell's not black he's coffee

[Jim G]

Good for Colin. I just wish he had run for President when Bush was running. Two Presidents of color would have really been something. I bet Colin wishes he had run as well. We blame Powell for Iraq's "WMD" myth, but I think he was pidgeon-holed into being the one to blame for the Iraq blunder. (If it is a blunder -- perhaps it's too soon to tell, objectively speaking.)

[franglais]

Yes.
It's racial.
That's why, even though blacks make up, what, around 15% of the US population, that Obama is supported by more than 50% of the population? Because all those non-blacks who support him are secretly black?
With the same logic, McCain would have the support of around 85% of the US population.

Oh, and there are QUITE a few blacks who are hard-line Republicans. Like a certain Supreme Court Justice, for example.

Anyone who says "of course he's endorsing him..." is an out of closet racist.

[Craig Hardy]

One more liberal endorses Obama and socialism! You used the Republicans while you were in the military because you knew that they supported the military more. Politically, you were a liberal who is now out of the closet. You're another black man endorsing a black candidate. Obama is receiving over 90% support in the black community. Hey Powell, how many more gaffes does Biden have to make? I bet Palin knows that "Jobs" is not a three-letter word. Biden may have experience in foreign affairs, but time and time again he's been on the wrong side of major issues such as Iraq.

[milton]

Anyone who thinkks Powell would be voting for obama if obama was white is lying to themselves.You hear all this about racism but where is it more evident than among blacks.Powell is a sellout pure and simple!!

[Jack Smith]

Powell is a very smart man. He retired when America attached Iraq. He knew attacking Iraq was wrong because it was like attacking Australia for Pearl Harbor.