Powell, Breaking Away from Republican Party, Endorses Obama

By Jaclynn Cross

If there was any dissension within the Republican Party regarding the current Presidential Election, it came to a proverbial head on Sunday, Oct. 19 when former Secretary of State, under current President Bush, Colin Powell announced his endorsement of Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama.

Although many weren’t surprised that Powell publicly announced his decision, they were taken aback by the reasons he listed, which included a criticism of Governor Sarah Palin’s lack of experience.

Political analyst, Rush Limbaugh suggests, however, that Powell’s endorsement is directly linked to the fact that Obama is the first Black candidate to actually have a shot at winning this historic election on Nov. 4.

To combat Powell’s inexperience argument about Palin, Limbaugh says in an email, “I am now researching his past endorsements to see if I can find all the inexperienced, very liberal, white candidates he has endorsed. I’ll let you know what I come up with.”

This support from former Secretary Powell has the power to influence those voters who are still deciding which candidate to vote for, and may even deter voters from voting for McCain.

The two have been friends and colleagues for a number of years, but Powell doesn’t support his long-time friend’s candidacy for president?

It is interesting, though, and I, for one, am excited to see how this affects the election.

Will it encourage other Republicans who are unhappy with their candidate to come on to the other side? Will it encourage Black Republicans to vote for Obama because he is the first real contender with a possibility to become the first Black president?

We shall see on Nov. 4.