Powell's Anti-Islamophobia Stance Tops Endorsement

Ex-Secretary thinks McCain has too many neocons around him

(NEWSER) - Colin Powell will make his presidential preference clear on Meet the Press tomorrow, the New York Daily News reports, detailing some of the reasons the former secretary of state is expected to defect from his party's candidate. "McCain has too many neocons working for him," says one Republican close to Powell. The general is also piqued that McCain floated a disingenuous rumor that he was a top VP contender. More»

Role could be formal or informal

(NEWSER) - Officially or otherwise, Colin Powell would have a place in a Barack Obama White House, the presidential frontrunner said yesterday. The former secretary of state “will be one of my advisers,” Obama told Today. “Whether he wants to take a formal role, whether that's a good fit for him, is something we'd have to discuss.” Powell endorsed Obama Sunday, but said he wasn’t after a job, the New York Daily News reports. More»

(AP) - Former Secretary of State Colin Powell has endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president, describing the Dem as a "transformational figure." Powell says both Obama and John McCain are qualified to be commander in chief. But, in an interview today on NBC's Meet the Press, he said Obama is better suited to handle the nation's economic problems, as well as help improve its standing in the world. More»

Want Better Relations With Muslims

(NEWSER) - Most Americans are on board with President Obama’s plan to “seek a new way forward” with the Muslim world, with 81% saying the initiative to improve relations with Muslim nations is important. This in spite of the fact that 55% say they lack a basic understanding of Islam, and 29% see it as a violent religion, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. Nearly half of all respondents had an unfavorable view of Islam, the highest level since late 2001. More»

I'll step aside for new leaders, former State chief says

(NEWSER) - Colin Powell doesn’t want a job in Barack Obama’s “historic” administration, preferring instead to see a new generation of leaders. “Why? I've done it,” Powell told the Wall Street Journal today in Hong Kong. The Bush-era secretary of State, who endorsed Obama last month, also assured Chinese business leaders that the president-elect will listen to allies, “perhaps more than the past administration.” More»