Skip to main content
Tags: Powell | Obama

Powell Not Ready to Endorse Obama for Re-election

Tuesday, 22 May 2012 03:34 PM EDT

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell declined Tuesday to renew the presidential endorsement he gave Barack Obama four years ago, saying he wasn't ready "to throw my weight behind someone" at this time.

The former chairman of the military's Joint Chiefs of Staff and Cabinet member under President George W. Bush demurred when asked if he was backing Obama again this time around. Four years ago, Powell caused a stir in Republican political circles when the longtime GOP figure endorsed Obama over war hero Sen. John McCain, calling Obama a "transformational figure."

Not so this time, Powell said in an appearance on NBC's "Today" show. At least, not yet.

"It's not just a matter of whether you support Obama or Romney. It's who they have coming in with them," he said.

Pressed to say why he was holding back on giving Obama his blessing a second time, Powell told anchor Matt Lauer, "I always keep my powder dry, as they say in the military."

He said that Obama had "stabilized the financial system" in the wake of the deep recession of 2008-2009 and "fixed the auto industry." Powell also said he thought the country was on the right path toward winding down the war in Afghanistan.

But he also said he thought Obama needed to work still more on the shaky economy and said he thought that he owed it to the Republican Party to listen to the proposals that presumptive nominee Mitt Romney will be offering, particularly on the economy.

Powell said he's "still listening" to Republican ideas, calling Romney "a good man," and saying he wasn't ready to make a commitment to Obama.

Powell has been an enigmatic figure in the Republican Party, a man who's name often has been mentioned in both presidential and vice presidential speculation, and the first black to rise to the position of head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Two years ago, Powell told graduates of South Carolina's premier historically black university that, among other things, he had been particularly heartened by a recent event.

"That was when President Obama took out his birth certificate and blew away Donald Trump and all the birthers," he told students at South Carolina State University.

Powell also supported Obama in the president's fight to get the U.S. Senate to ratify the New START treaty with Russia.

© Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


391
2012-34-22
Tuesday, 22 May 2012 03:34 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
TOP

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved