McCain Soldiers On Without Powell Nod

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McCain Soldiers On Without Powell Nod
October 20, 2008
Knight Ridder

Sen. John McCain roused a Westerville, Ohio, audience Sunday by drawing sharp economic differences with Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, but he did not mention a stunning endorsement of Obama by retired Gen. Colin Powell, a widely respected Republican.

In a 23-minute speech to an audience of 6,000 in the Rike Center at Otterbein College, McCain linked Obama to a socialistic agenda of wealth redistribution, but his message was overshadowed nationally by Powell's endorsement while appearing earlier yesterday on NBC's Meet the Press.

Powell, once viewed as a strong contender to become the first black presidential nominee, said that while he deeply respects McCain, Obama "is a transformational figure" who is right for the times to restore America's credibility around the world.

Secretary of state during President Bush's first term and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the presidency of Bush's father, George H.W. Bush, Powell said he was troubled by the narrow direction of the Republican Party and by McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

"Now that we have had a chance to watch her for some seven weeks, I don't believe she's ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of vice president," Powell said.


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