Wow. I made a point to watch Meet the Press this morning in anticipation of this happening. I hope that the McCain campaign does not try to smear Powell's good name as a result of his endorsement.

I think if any tactic is really used now by the McCain camp it would be more, "he endorsed him because they're both black.
Also... I think everyone should check out this video, it really makes you think about sarah palin. And I will say I am not a fan, of Sarah Palin that is... now is not the time for her.
http://perezhilton.com/tv/index.php?ptvid=2b951320ddf71

I know it's on Perez Hilton but he does get some good stuff outside of gossip sometimes.

I've liked Powell for many years, he's by far my favorite Republican. I was glad to hear him speak out against the GOP. Its about time someone called them on their hypocrisy.

Colin Powell is a smart man.

The comment that he made about a Muslim child wanting to grow up to be president of the US, and the story he told about the mother of a Muslim American soldier is what I'll remember from this interview. It was so powerful, I was in tears. Colin Powell is a very respected man, and I respect an agree with his endorsement.

Curly's right, it was powerful. It makes me feel very hopeful that a man like Powell will set aside party differences to endorse the person he believes will best serve this country.

i thought the muslim story was powerful as well. i figured he would endorse obama but i didnt think it would be so full throated and such a strong endorsment. good for him for calling out the mccain camp on the kind of campaign they are running. i have said it before and ill say it again, should mccain lose in two weeks and he goes back to the senate he will not be looked at the same way by his colleagues. now i could be wrong but everything he stood against in 2000 are just the things he is turning to in the last two weeks of the campaign. i also think he live to regret the choice of sara palin as his VP.

I watched as Powell made his endorsement on MTP this morning, and it was powerful stuff. He was clear, articulate, reasoned and even passionate in his words. What moved most was his damning critique of the Republican party and how it has become such a narrow party to the exclusion of many Americans. This is the party of Lincoln, and yet it's devolved into a party that uses divisive attacks, smears and lofty insinuations to talk about small things that don't matter to the day-to-day welfare of the country. Our country faces big problems, and we need talk of big solutions.

I thought back to rumors of a Powell run in 1996 and even McCain's own run in 2000, and I wondered what ever happened to those reasoned and moderate Republicans and why the GOP has been co-opted by the religious right, ideologues, and even racists and bigots. How can some Republicans seize on the mantle of patriotism and military service and yet spit on Muslims and Arabs? What do they say to that mother who lost her son, a Muslim who served and died for his country?

The Republican party should take Powell's endorsement as a warning. They need to break from the demagoguery of Bush, Rove, Palin, Schmidt, and yes even McCain, and fight with ideas and not prejudices.

CNN:
In regard to the financial crisis, which Powell called the candidates' "final exam," Powell said McCain appeared unsteady in dealing with it, while Obama had excelled in handling the situation.

"Obama displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge," Powell said.

I already knew from the start that he's going to endorse Barack Obama. Just a hunch.
I always liked Colin Powell. He's one of my fave Republicans (and I have very little of those around ).

[ I hope that the McCain campaign does not try to smear Powell's good name as a result of his endorsement.]

I think that might try!

Welcome to the team!! Of all the endorsements - this is the one I wanted. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

I'm vey happy that Colin Powell set aside party lines to back Barack Obama and through his very moving statement made it clear that it wasn't an issue of race, but about what he thought was the best candidate to run this country.

Powell's achievements and savvy as a General and Scretary of State will hopefully lend support against the doubt that Obama isn't capable of leading our country during a time of war.

I've always respected Powells regard for the tragedy of war in his decision making. This endorsement only adds to my feelings.

Never liked colin Powell at all but this has changed my mind, not the endorsement but everything else he had to say especially about the Republican party. I know there are many Republicans out there who aren't ignorant bigots, racists and fear mongers but the few who are have really tarnished the party's image. anyway I would like to know what Republicans think about his endorsement.

It's almost as if he wants to keep his job.

Organic- yes, retired people often worry about being able to stay retired...

As far as how Republicans respond to this- my grandpa pretty much thinks it's because he's black, but he's one of those Repubs. that Powell was referring to, who is hurting his party, and my Grandma, who already loved Powell and was on the fence about who to vote for is considering casting a vote for Obama, though she had already decided not to vote for McCain about a week ago.

I mean, my Grandpa listens to Rush Limbaugh, reads the Drudge report, likes Ann Coulter and blames the economic downfall on poor black people. I don't think Powell's endorsement is going to do much to attract people like that. But hey, he's not even voting for McCain because McCain is "too liberal."

Yes, moving back home during the election has been loads of fun.

You can't be a republican and back Obama's ideals. It just doesn't work that way.

Well GS, I suppose you are more of an authority than someone like Powell is about what a good Republican can and cannot do. I mean, I can only assume you've contributed even more to the Republican party than Powell has! Fess up, are you George Bush in real life?

[You can't be a republican and back Obama's ideals. ]

Powell is more in the middle and I'm sure there a LOT of Republicans that disagree with you. They are now backing Obama.

OMG Snow.....

I have to respectfully disagree GS. I am a democrat that has backed republicans before when I feel they make decisions that are best for this country. I don't think that makes me a republican. I think that makes me someone who actually puts aside party ideals and thinks about this country first. I respect Powell a great deal for saying what he said.

What Powell said was EXTREMELY thoughtful - people who only think he's endorsing Obama because he's black is totally mistaken.

And incase you missed it, I posted a clip here:
http://teamsugar.com/group/2385592/blog/2386068

RIchard Lugar might disagree with you on that, GS.

It is common sense. Petty insults don't take that away Snow and Dream. While Geebers, I respect your respectful manner of disagreeing, lol, I have to disagree. It falls into lines of thought. There is nothing wrong with Powell backing Obama, but you can't call yourself a republican if you are backing ideals that are 180 degrees from the party ideals. That is my whole point. It isn't a good person bad person thing. That is like saying you are Jewish but believe Jesus was the messiah. They just don't mesh. Some people need to simmer the emotions back and read what is actually being written, not what they want to see. Powell can back who he chooses, that is his right, but you aren't republican if you back Obama's ideals, that is just fact, you are either dem or ind.

[Petty insults don't take that away Snow and Dream.]

Ah how did I insult you???? I just said people might disagree with you??? -- oh GS

You AMAZE me everyday. You really do.

Calling someone a lacky isn't an insult?

Come on now folks...calm down.

I think the thing is that Obama's positions on issues aren't as severely left as Fox News makes them out to be. There are many respectable Republicans that are backing Obama...sometimes the little things don't matter when you agree with someone on the big picture.

She asked what she did, I told. Hall monitor duties again?

Colin Powell is a good guy and a great patriot. As a Pub, I disagree with him on this, but he's entitled to his opinion just like anyone else.

However, I don't think this will sway many people as Powell has been out of the limelight for a while.

I didn't watch the clip, but does he say why he is siding with Obama even though he (powell) was for the war?

Jill, that doesn't make sense. You either agree with ideas or you don't. You can't have your foot in both rooms.

Jill - There are respectable Dems who are backing McCain too.

Colin Powell is a pretty model American, at least to me. I think he's a great man (and it's nice that we both endorse the same candidate now, haha).

I admire this man. My parents are also on the fence on who to vote for this year. They have voted Republican for about 20 years until 2004. Even they realize that the far religious right has hijacked the Republican party and it's quite apparent Colin Powell understands this as well. It's quite safe to say that some moderate Republicans are shifting to the non-partisan bunch and choosing the person they deem the best for this country.

I believe that Powell still considers himself Republican while supporting Obama. He has said that the party has gone too far right and needs a change. In his eyes having a Democratic candidate could bring the Republican party back to the ideals he believes in - even if he many not agree with some of Obama's policies. I think the fact that the far right is taking over does a great injustice to the moderate republicans that supposedly are the majority in this country. Their voice has been overpowered by extreme conservatives. Powell believes this and wants a candidate that may actually stand a fair chance of getting the former ideals of the Republican party back on track.

"You either agree with ideas or you don't. You can't have your foot in both rooms."

There are no rules that say this. Maybe that is how you WANT things to be, but sorry...not the case.
Any person can be a member of one party, and think a candidate from another party is a better pick.

That is democracy.

(what meikie said )

Powell very carefully laid out his feelings about McCain and Obama and their most important policy ideas AND Brokaw asked him specifically about Iraq.
You can have your foot in as many rooms as you feel necessary - you may not become party chairman that way, but as a citizen, your first responsibility is to choose the candidate or policy that you feel will be best for the country. Not allowing people to stray beyond party lines is anti-democratic.

Jill, don't patronize me. I know what democracy is. I mean you can't walk like a duck and talk like a duck and still call yourself a chicken. I am not saying there is ANYTHING WRONG with this endorsement. I am saying that this election has brought out several people who say they are something while backing a candidate that is opposite of that. It doesn't make sense. That would make them either the other party or independent. You people are so itching for a fight that you act like I am saying anything is wrong with this. But it is truly like a Jewish person believing Jesus is the messiah. They don't mesh.

THEN DON'T PICK A PARTY!!! BE INDEPENDENT.

This isn't a hard concept. Sheesh.

I have voted and supported Republican mayors in NYC while calling myself a Democrat. Not to mention both of these mayors were former democrats that ran as Republicans and had little issues doing so. Both of them have also managed to work very well with both sides. I don't really agree with having to choose a candidate that may have some differing policies if overall you feel they will do the best job for the city/state/country regardless of party.

Jill- I agree with you- issues generally aren't black and white, and you can be an economic conservative and liberal socially, or vice versa. I mean, just because you might think that abortion is wrong, doesn't mean you think tax cuts to the wealthier are fair. People have to weigh many things when choosing a party.

And in addition, you also are voting for the person as well as the issues. Some people are attracted to McCain because he doesn't "cavort with terriers," while I personally feel that Obama has a stronger character than McCain because he doesn't publicly call his wife a c*nt for example.

The one interesting nuance that I missed the first time though- Powell is actually not just disavowing the Republican party and their candidate, he actually seems to be viewing McCain's recent campaign antics as an indication of the direction that part of his party has taken. It almost sounds like, when he is saying that McCain's actions have further "narrowed" the party, that he believes that McCain has come to represent a smaller splinter of the party, and does not necessarily represent Repubs. in general very well. I don't mean to put words in Powell's mouth, but if that is the case, then I think it would be hard to argue he isn't a true Republican.

How is that not being an independent?

But what if 90% of the time you agree with one party but you decide that this election their is one issue that you feel the other party is more what you prefer? I am not sure how that changes your affiliation?

I would consider myself a Democrat and I vote for Dick Luger (R), I respect him and think that he's a great man that cares for the country. There's a senator Joe Donelly (D) that I might not vote for because of his position on immigration. My uncle whose a Dem is voting for Mitch Daniels our Gov whose a Repub.
Just because you call yourself a Dem or Rep, does not mean you don't vote for the other side even if you don't agree with everything they stand for.

If important members of the party feel that the party has become unresponsive to their core beliefs as lifelong party members, perhaps the problem has to do with party leadership and not party membership. Someone like Chris Buckley cannot be considered a fair-weather conservative or someone who doesn't understand the core values of the Republican party.

Geebers- I think it also has a lot to do with what you were mentioning before, and what I was trying to articulate. I don't think Powell even sees that HE is moving away from his party- but that McCain is also, by alienating many of the moderate Republicans, and turning the rest of the party into something nasty and exclusionary. Se even though he might cast his vote for the Dem, I think it is his way to warn his party that they need to redefine who they are, and to what extent they will allow people like Palin to become leaders in the party.

[Calling someone a lacky isn't an insult?]

Weird -- I didn't say it was and if you know me by now -- I'm not a sensitive person.

Isn't this the same group of people that called Powell a sell-out for accepting a cabinet position under Bush?

Yeah I agree completely Snow- I do think Powell is trying to voice that the party is no longer what it used to be. By casting his vote for the other side he is clearly saying that things need to change.

[sell-out]

Ewwwww -- I hate that word.