Powell endorses Obama for president

ByABC News
October 19, 2008, 2:28 PM

WASHINGTON -- Former secretary of State Colin Powell on Sunday endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president, calling him a "transformational figure." Powell criticized the negative tone of Sen. John McCain's campaign and his selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Powell, speaking on NBC's Meet the Press acknowledged Obama's limited experience on the national stage but said the Illinois Democrat had grown over the past two years and displayed the temperament, judgment and intellect to be president and commander in chief.

Powell, a Republican who was President Bush's first secretary of State, said both Obama and McCain would be good presidents and noted that he had been a close friend of McCain's for 25 years.

"It isn't easy for me to disappoint Sen. McCain in the way that I have this morning, and I regret that," Powell said. "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.

"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."

Obama, who called Powell on Sunday to thank him for the endorsement, described Powell at a rally in Fayetteville, N.C., as a "great soldier, a great statesman and a great American."

"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. I am deeply humbled to have the support of Gen. Colin Powell," Obama told a cheering crowd.

McCain, speaking on Fox News Sunday, said he disagreed with Powell's decision and noted that he has been endorsed by four other former secretaries of State, all veterans of Republican administrations: Henry Kissinger, James Baker, Lawrence Eagleburger and Alexander Haig.