Colin Powell Explains His Endorsement Decision

Speaking with reporters after his appearance on NBC, Powell said that part of the reason he is supporting Obama is because he did not like the negative tone of John McCain's campaign, which has noted the links between Obama and domestic terrorist William Ayers.

"It troubled me. We have two wars. We have economic problems, we have health problems. ... Those are the problems the American people want to hear about, not about Mr. Ayers, not about who's a Muslim and not a Muslim. Those kind of images going out on Al Jazeera are killing us around the world," he said.

"I thought it was over the top. It was beyond just good political fighting back and forth. ... We can't judge our people and we can't hold our elections on that kind of basis," he added.

Powell, who described himself as still a Republican, added that he also doesn't like the McCain camp's decision to call Obama a socialist because he wants to raise taxes on individuals and businesses making more than $250,000 a year.

"Taxes are always a redistribution of money. Most of the taxes that are redistributed go back to those who pay it -- in roads and airports and hospitals and schools -- and taxes are necessary for the common good, and there's nothing wrong with examining what our tax structure is and who should be paying more, who should be paying less. And for us to say that makes you a socialist I think is an unfortunate characterization and is inaccurate," he said.

While saying he doesn't want to see his taxes go up, Powell said he also doesn't want to see a $12 trillion debt and $500 billion annual deficit.

Appearing on "FOX News Sunday," McCain responded to the news of Powell's endorsement by saying he still admires and respects his old friend.

"Well, I have always admired and respected General Powell. We are longtime friends. This doesn't come as a surprise. 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," McCain said, noting the support offered by Henry Kissinger, James Baker, Lawrence Eagleburger and Alexander Haig.

Powell, who has been critical of the war in Iraq despite repeatedly saying he supported the decision to go in, said he is more concerned with the future than the past.

"We now see that things are a lot better in Iraq. Maybe if we had put a surge in in the beginning, it would've been a lot better," he said.

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[Baal1angel]

Why would Joe vote against his own interest!especially when Obamas policies are more beneficial to Joe as it stands now. Lets seek validation through every other possible answer other than the one every knows to be true.

[Coraxuss]

Oh really, at what point did I actually made a racist remark? Hmm?

[Maxdwolf]

"White vote 44% Obama - 47% McCain --> 3% discrepancy.

Black vote 95% Obama - 3% McCain --> 92% discrepancy.

Yeah you're right neither seem to be totally race neutral... but one stands out more dramatically than the other wouldn't you say!?"

The problem here is the assumption that a 50/50 split is more neutral. It could well be that a white Obama would get 70% of the white vote. You have show that the black positive response is greater than the white negative response.

[gwane1uno]

If you make raciest comment with little insight about what your talking about , wear the sheet with the swastika on the back.

An intelligent person would not have made such a bone head statement.

[Coraxuss]

Don't you dare put me in the same group as that fucktarded neo-nazi lazysimpleton and blatantly accuse me of being racist.

[gwane1uno]

both !!! a black person or any person with a brain would knows that black people are people individuals with different interest and agenda , to say that black are voting for Obama simply because he is black is an insult . because with that statement your saying that black don't have an opinion of there own and are no better then mindless sheep.. I can't picture a black person making a comment like that but I can see a raciest whit person making such a narrow-minded idiot type statement .

[Coraxuss]

Wait a minute were you referring to lazysimpleton or me about being white?

[gwane1uno]

then why would you say something so racist and stupid ..?!?! Even though black have voted democrat over the last 60 years more so after the 1964..

Its the 20th century and we still got paranoid idiots thinking blacks are trying to take over the white house ..

Powell is not the only Rep that has switched to Dem

[gwane1uno]

black were not allowed to vote prior to the civil war

[Coraxuss]

You must be something subhuman, fucktard. And no, I'm not white.

[gwane1uno]

you must be white to say such a thing , idiot ..