COLIN POWELL ENDORSES BARACK OBAMA

This morning on Meet the Press, Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama!!!

(Video link)

Powell expressed some disappointment with John McCain's campaign as well as concern that McCain has been uncertain on the economy. He also stated that he doesn't believe Palin is ready to be VP.

On the other hand, Powell praised Obama for expressing the steadiness, intellect, and judgment to be president during this economic crisis.

Powell also takes his party to task for their handling of the issue of Obama's faith. He notes that senior Republican leaders have made references to Obama's being a Muslim and that the appropriate response is, "No, he's not a Muslim, he's a Christian."

But this is where Powell really got me because I haven't heard anyone say this:

Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in America? The answer's "No," that's not America. Is there something wrong with some seven year old Muslim-American kid believing he or she could be president?

Powell went on to talk about a picture he saw of a mother visiting the grave of her son, an American soldier who died in Iraq. On the top of the headstone was the crescent and star of the Islamic faith. He noted that the soldier was born in New Jersey and was 14 years old when the 9/11 attacks occurred. He enlisted as soon as he was old enough.

UPDATE: Marc Ambinder has some post-interview quotes from Powell here.