Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama for president
WASHINGTON Colin Powell, a Republican and retired general who was President Bush's first secretary of state, broke with the party Sunday and endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president, calling him a ``transformational figure'' while criticizing the tone of John McCain's campaign.
In an appearance on NBC's ``Meet the Press,'' Powell backed Obama over fellow Republican John McCain, calling the Democratic nominee a ``transformational figure'' who could be an ``exceptional president.''