Powell key endorsement for Barack Obama

The setting was the program, "Meet the Press." The cast was Collin Powell former Secretary of State in the Bush Administration. The subject was the Democratic nominee and candidate for president, Barack Obama.

Powell: "Senator Obama has captured the feelings of the young people of America, and is reaching out in a more diverse, inclusive way across our society."

Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama’s candidacy for president, over John McCain. The question is: is the endorsement an indication of a national momentum shift toward Barack Obama; or is it something personally related to Colin Powell himself?

Curtis Gans is the Director for the Center for the Study of the American Electorate at American University. He joins "The Takeaway" to talk about the implications of Powell’s endorsement.

According to Gans: "Endorsements in general help only in the aggregate; on the other hand, Colin Powell is different in so far as he is an Army Chief of Staff, a Secretary of State — that helps Obama’s credentials in those areas. And he is one of the most respected members of the Republican Party, with the caveat about his speech at the U.N. on Iraq.

"Probably the most important thing is the degree to which somebody who is respected, and Republican, and widely-known, blows the whistle on John McCain’s conduct of his campaign; his elevation of Governor Palin, which Secretary Powell has indicated was not competent to be president."

Gans says the endorsement helps focus the Obama argument that he is clearly mainstream and has sufficient judgment and experience; and adversely, the McCain campaign is extreme and the Palin choice was ill-considered.

Obama’s reaction to the endorsement: "I have been honored to have the benefit of his wisdom and his council from time to time, over the last few years. But today I am beyond honored, I’m deeply humbled to have the support of General Collin Powel."

"The Takeaway" is PRI’s new national morning news program, delivering the news and analysis you need to catch up, start your day, and prepare for what’s ahead. The show is a co-production of WNYC and PRI, in editorial collaboration with the BBC, The New York Times Radio, and WGBH.

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