Republican Powell Endorses Obama

Last week, Americans learned that former Secretary of State Colin Powell will endorse Senator Barack Obama and his campaign. This is a very surprising decision since Powell is a friend of Senator John McCain's. Powell has even donated money to the McCain campaign. Regardless of the endorsement, McCain still "respects and admires Secretary Powell."



Powell did not hesitate on saying why he decided to endorse Senator Obama over longtime friend Senator McCain. Secretary Powell, like some Americans, does not believe that Gov. Sarah Palin is fit to serve as the vice president. Powell also said that he was not happy with McCain's ever-changing approach to the economy. Basically, Powell believes that Senator Obama will provide a 'breath of fresh air', instead of the same Republican leadership that this country has been under for the past eight years.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/20/us/politics/20campaign.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin

Rush Limbaugh also added his two cents on Secretary Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama. On his radio show, Limbaugh said he believes that Powell endorsed Obama because of his race, and to an extent, he may be right. Juan Williams of Fox News provided an interesting insight to a sort of 'passing of the torch' from Powell to Obama on Limbaugh's radio show. Williams says:

"Of course it has to do with race. It has a lot to do with this sort of senior black man, sort of the original crossover race star in American politics, Colin Powell; I think reaching out to this younger black man, and I think in so many ways it goes beyond race. But I think Rush Limbaugh's right, if he says race is a definite factor here. In terms of his legacy, I think this will stand as a real monument reaching out to the -- potentially, the -- first black president of the United States."

The United States is a country that has had many "firsts" over the years. Perhaps it is time that we add another "first" in the form of electing Barack Obama as America's first black president.

Colin Powell thinks it is a good idea.