Colin Powell endorses Barack Obama

On Sunday's Meet The Press Gen. Colin Powell delivered the most convincing and eloquent endorsement (video) yet for Barack Obama.

Powell appeals to independents who are socially liberal, fiscally conservative and moderate on defense issues.

Unlike other endorsements, very recent polling indicates that Powell's endorsment carries weight with voters.

In supporting Obama, Powell decided to get specific -- and not only about McCain's inconsistent and erratic performance during the financial crisis, but also his poor judgment in choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate.

Most notable was Powell's dire assessment of the state of the GOP:

"The party has moved even further to the right," he said, adding that, "over the last seven weeks, the approach of the Republican Party and Mr. McCain has become narrower and narrower."

In the seven-minute explication of his reasons for endorsing Obama, Powell also critcized McCain for his response to the economic crisis and said that McCain's choice of Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate led him to question McCain's judgment.

"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 the vice president, Powell said.

"It isn't easy for me to disappoint Senator McCain in the way that I have this morning, and I regret that. But I strongly believe that at this point in America's history we need a president that will not just continue — even with a new face and with some changes and with some maverick aspects — will not just continue basically the policies that we have been following in recent years.

"I think we need a transformational figure, I think that we need a president who is a generational change, and that's why I'm supporting Barack Obama. Not out of any lack of respect or admiration for Senator John McCain."

In case you are interested, here's more on Muslim-American hero Powell mentions in his endorsement, Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, here, here and here. The photo of Khan's mother that so moved Powell can be seen here.