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Colin Powell Endorses Barack Obama
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 19, 2008
Modified Oct 19, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 19, 2008
Modified Oct 19, 2008
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During an appearance on Meet the Press, former Secretary of State under President Bush (and native New Yorker) Colin Powell announced his endorsement of Barack Obama, the Democratic candidate. He said he had been studying both candidates in the past few weeks and concluded that Obama was a "transformational figure," citing his inclusive campaign and intellectual curiosity.
Powell, a more moderate Republican, described his admiration for Republican candidate John McCain, but expressed his deep reservations about the McCain campaign. In the past few months, Powell questioned McCain's recent judgment (including the selection Sarah Palin as running mate), McCain's approach to the faltering economy, the Republican party's movement to the right ("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."), and the way some members of the Republican Party were painting Obama as a Muslim ("What if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer is no.") Here's his explanation leading up to the endorsement:
Meet the Press 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," to which Powell replied:
"If I had only had that in mind, I could have done this six, eight, 10 months ago. I really have been going back and forth between somebody I have the highest respect and regard for, John McCain and somebody I was getting to know, Barack Obama. And it was only in the last couple of months that I settled on this."
"I can't deny that it will be a historic event when an African-American becomes president. 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."
With his many years of military service, Powell's endorsement gives Obama's campaign a boost, perhaps especially with independents. And McCain said on Fox News of the endorsement, "Well, I have always admired and respected General Powell. We are longtime friends. This doesn't come as a surprise." He added, "But I am also very pleased to have the endorsement of four former secretaries of state ... and I am proud to have the endorsement of well over 200 retired army generals and admirals."
The NY Times reports that talks are underway between Obama's campaign and Powell, about whether the retired, 4-star general will campaign for Obama.
Tagged
barack obama
colin powell
endorsement
john mccain
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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