Bob CollinsThe Barack Obama campaign matched McCain’s Joe the Plumber bet by seeing a retired war general’s endorsement. Colin Powell today endorsed Obama.
Mark Halperin of Time called it “one of the most important symbolic moments of the campaign.”
Sources say Obama courted Powell’s support for well over a year, with private discussions that have largely involved policy consultations, but also some explicit pleas for support. Powell’s neutrality up until now had worried some Republicans, and a possible nod for Obama has been rumored and discussed for months. Whenever he has been asked in public about Obama, Powell has had nothing but kind words but, before his appearnace on Meet the Press, always stopped short of a full endorsement.
The Powell endorsement comes as influential newspapers are beginning a week of endorsements. The Star Tribune, for example, today urged a “no” vote on the sales tax increase for outdoors and cultural programs. The Pioneer Press editorial board followed suit.
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