Obama sets fundraising record, is endorsed by Colin Powell

It's not too many elections these days where a Democrat out-monies a Republican. Barack Obama just set a new one-month record, raising over $150 million in September. And while the newspaper endorsements come rolling in (the Philadelphia Inquirer and Miami Herald endorsed Obama, as did several major papers earlier in the week, while the Tampa Tribune endorsed McCain), the news broke today that former Bush Secretary of State and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Colin Powell, endorsed Barack Obama as well.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell announced Sunday that he will be voting for Sen. Barack Obama, citing the Democrat's "ability to inspire" and the "inclusive nature of his campaign."

"He has both style and substance. I think he is a transformational figure," Powell said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

"Obama displayed a steadiness. Showed intellectual vigor. He has a definitive way of doing business that will do us well," Powell said.

Powell, a retired U.S. general and a Republican, was once seen as a possible presidential candidate himself.

Powell said he questioned Sen. John McCain's judgment in picking Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate because he doesn't think she is ready to be president.

He also said he was disappointed with some of McCain's campaign tactics, such as bringing up Obama's ties to former 1960s radical Bill Ayers.
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Powell's adviser has said that "he likes and admires John McCain, and that would be a factor in anything he does if he decides to get more involved."

Another source close to Powell said he has known the Republican nominee for more than three decades "and likes him and is looking for a reason to vote for him. He hasn't found it yet."

McCain's campaign has had that effect on people. I know many hard-core conservatives who may not vote for Obama, but refuse to vote for McCain based on the conduct of his campaign. It's clear from the above highlighted statement that even Powell, Republican and former Bush cabinet member, sees that McCain is not right for America and Palin is not ready for the #2 (and possibly #1) slot.

Technorati Tags: Politics, Obama, Powell, Endorsement, McCain Losing Support