Powell endorses Obama as 'transformational'

More in The New York Times
Politico reports:
Retired General Colin L. Powell, one of the country's most respected Republicans, stunned both parties on Sunday by strongly endorsing Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for president on NBC's "Meet the Press" and laying out a blistering, detailed critique of the modern GOP.
"I think he is a transformational figure," Powell said. "He is a new generation coming ... onto the world stage and on the American stage. And for that reason, I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama."
Powell, making his 30th appearance on "Meet the Press," led into that by saying: "We've got two individuals — either one of them could be a good president. But which is the president that we need now — which is the individual that serves the needs of the nation for the next period of time.
"And I come to the conclusion that because of his ability to inspire, because of the inclusive nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities — and you have to take that into account — as well as his substance — he has both style and substance, he has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president."
Powell, speaking live in the studio, told moderator Tom Brokaw that he is "troubled" by the direction of the Republican Party and statements by the campaign of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), and said he does not believe Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is ready to be president.
The statement will help Obama convince skeptical centrists that he is ready to handle the challenges of commander in chief, and undercuts McCain argument that he is better qualified on national security.
Powell, 71, criticized McCain for invoking the former domestic terrorist William Ayers as an Obama associate.
"They're trying to connect him to some kind of terrorist feelings, and I think that's inappropriate," Powell said. "Now I understand what politics is all about — I know how you can go after one another. And that's good. But I think this goes too far. And I think it has made the McCain campaign look a little narrow. It's not what the American people are looking for. And I look at these kinds of approaches to the campaign, and they trouble me.
"And the party has moved even further to the right, and Governor Palin has indicated a further rightward shift. I would have difficult with two more conservative appointments to the Supreme Court, but that's what we'd be looking at in a McCain administration."
Powell said he has "heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion [that Obama's] a Muslim and might be associated with terrorists."
"This is not the way we should be doing it in America. I feel strongly about this particular point," Powell said. "We have got to stop polarizing ourselves in this way. And John McCain is as non-discriminatory as anyone I know. But I'm troubled about the fact that within the party, we have these kinds of expressions."

Powell, a four-star Army general, was national security adviser to President Ronald Reagan; chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the 1991 Persian Gulf war, when George H.W. Bush was president; and President George W. Bush’s first secretary of State.
Powell has consulted with both Obama and McCain, and the general’s camp has indicated in the past that he would not endorse.
"I've really been going back and forth," he said. He added that if he were choosing on the basis of race, he would have made his choice months ago.
Powell said McCain “was... unsure about how to deal with the economic problems.”
Powell said a big job of the new president will be “conveying a new image of American leadership, a new image of America’s role in the world.”
“I think what the president has to do is to start using the power of the Oval Office and the power of his personality to convince the American people and to convince the world that America is solid, America is going to move forward … restoring a sense of purpose,” he said.

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Saturday Night Live: Sarah Palin Rap

Transcript
JASON SUDEIKIS – 'Good evening, I'm Tim Lydecker Sarah Palin's spokesman and we're very excited to be holding the Governor's first official press conference. Now tonight, nothing is off-limits while at the same time, I urge you guys to 'be cool.' Seriously guys just be cool. And one last thing: no recording devices and don't write anything down.'
(Gathered 'reporters' react)
SUDEIKIS – 'Worth a shot. Can't blame me for trying. Without further ado, I present Governor Sarah Palin.'
(TINA FEY enters as GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN)
FEY AS GOV. PALIN – 'First off, I just want to say how excited I am to be in front of both the liberal elite media as well as the liberal regular media. I am lookin' forward to a portion of your questions, so let's get started. Yes, you?'
FRED ARMISEN (as reporter):
'What were your thoughts on Senator McCain's debate performance Wednesday?'
FEY AS GOV. PALIN --
You know, I just thought he was great. Because the American people are angry. And John McCain is angry too. And you can tell he's angry by the way he sighs and
grits his teeth and he's always goin' like (MAKES FACE AND GROWLING NOISE). And that Barack Obama? Well if he's angry, I certainly can't tell. His voice is smooth and when he's talkin' it's like an angel whispering in your ear. He makes John McCain sound like a garbage truck unloading trash at a landfill. So to answer your question, yes, I think John McCain did great. You guy?
WILL FORTE (as reporter) – 'At a rally in North Carolina this week you said that you like to visit the quote pro-America parts of the country. Are there parts of the country that you consider un-American?
FEY AS GOV. PALIN – Y'know , that was just my lame attempt at a joke. But um, yes – New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware and California (SHE GIVES A THUMBS DOWN). But then also too you have states like Ohio and Pennsylvania and Florida which could be real real anti-American or real real pro-American. It's up to them. (SHE winks) And now I'd like to entertain everybody with some fancy pageant walkin.'
(CUT TO: 'SNL' Executive Producer LORNE MICHAELS and the real GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN standing next to a monitor watching the scene)
MICHAELS – 'I really wish that that had been you.'
GOV. PALIN – 'Well, Lorne, you know, I just didn't think it was a realistic depiction of how one of my press conferences woulda gone.'
MICHAELS – 'Yes, but it's obviously it's a heightened reality.'
GOV. PALIN – 'Why couldn't we do the '30 Rock' sketch I wrote?'
MICHAELS – 'Honestly, not enough people know that show.'
(MARK WAHLBERG ENTERS)
WAHLBERG – 'Hey, Lorne?'
MICHAELS – 'Mark!'
WAHLBERG –I'm looking for Andy Samberg. Where is he?'
MICHAELS – 'Mark, that was all in good fun.'
WAHLBERG -- 'Are you gonna make me bust your head open too? Because I will. Where is he?'
MICHAELS – 'Third dressing room on the left.'
MW – Thank you
(WAHLBERG storms off)
MICHAELS -- He didn't like the impression we did of him on the show.
GOV. PALIN – 'Tell me about it.'
(ALEC BALDWIN enters)
BALDWIN – 'Hey Lorne. Hey, Tina. Lorne, I need to talk to you. You can't let Tina go out there with that woman. She goes against everything we stand for. I mean, good Lord, Lorne, they call her...what's that name they call her? Cari ... Cari -- what do they call her again, Tina?'
GOV. PALIN – 'That'd be Caribou Barbie.'
BALDWIN – 'Caribou Barbie. Thank you, Tina. I mean this is the most important election in our nation's history. And you want her, our Tina, to go out there and stand there with that horrible woman. What do you have to say for yourself?'
MICHAELS – 'Alec, this is Governor Palin.'
GOV. PALIN – 'Hi there.'
BALDWIN – 'I see. Forgive me, but I feel I must say this -- you are way hotter in person.'
GOV. PALIN – 'Why thank you.'
BALDWIN – 'I mean, seriously. I can't believe they let her play you.'
GOV. PALIN – 'Thank you, and I must say that your brother Stephen is my favorite Baldwin brother.'
BALDWIN – 'You are a delight. Now come, let me take you for a tour of the studio. You know, I've hosted the show ... how many times, Lorne?'
LM – 175 times.
(THEY walk away, the scene cuts back to the press conference)
FEY AS GOV. PALIN – 'To answer your question – y'know I don't worry about the polls. Polls are just a fancy way of systematically predicting what's gonna happen. The only pole I care about is the North Pole and that is melting...it's not great.
(BALDWIN walks on stage and whispers in FEY's ear)
FEY AS SELF
'What? The real one? Byeee!'
(FEY walks off stage, passing PALIN as she exits)
GOV. PALIN – 'Thank you. Now I'm not gonna take any of your questions but I do want to take this opportunity to say Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!!!'
Palin's almost rap number follows:
MEYERS – 'And now, here to clear up some misconceptions about her campaign, Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin.'
GOV. SARAH PALIN – 'Thank you Seth, Amy. And thank you for the chance to come out here. But I've been thinking it over and I'm not going to do the piece we rehearsed.'
MEYERS – 'But you were so good at it.'
GOV. PALIN – 'I know. It was really fun. But my gut is telling me this is a bad idea for the campaign.'
MEYERS – 'Are you sure?'
GOV. PALIN – 'Yes, after a lot of thought. I think it might just cross the line.'
MEYERS – 'Ok, well...in that case, Amy, do you want to do Governor Palin's part instead, Amy?'
POEHLER – 'I guess I could give it a try...'
MEYERS – 'Do you remember it?'
POEHLER – 'I kinda remember it ... (IN HARDCORE RAP DEMEANOR) 1. 2. 3...'
(A Beat kicks in)
'MY NAME IS SARAH PALIN, YOU ALL KNOW ME,
VICE-PREZZY NOMINEE OF THE GOP,
GONNA NEED YOUR VOTE IN THE NEXT ELECTION,
CAN I GET A WHAT-WHAT FROM THE SENIOR SECTION,
MCCAIN GOT EXPERIENCE,
MCCAIN GOT STYLE,
BUT DON'T LET HIM FREAK YOU OUT,
WHEN HE TRIES TO SMILE,
CUZ THAT SMILE BE CREEPY,
BUT WHEN I'M V.P.,
ALL THE LEADERS IN THE WORLD GONNA FINALLY MEET ME,
(FRED ARMISEN & ANDY SAMBERG enter as ESKIMOS)
POEHLER -- (cont'd) HOW'S IT GO ESKIMOS?TELL TELL ME WHAT YOU KNOW ESKIMOS!HOW YA FEEL ESKIMOS?TELL TELL ME WHAT YOU FEEL ESKIMOS! SAMBERG/ARMISEN -- ESKIMOS!ESKIMOS!ICE COLD!SUPER COLD!
POEHLER –
'I'M JEREMIAH WRIGHT CUZ TONIGHT IM THE PREACHER,
I GOT A BOOKISH LOOK AND YOU'RE ALL HOT FOR TEACHER,
(The camera cuts away to Meyers and Gov. Palin enjoying themselves)
(JASON SUDEIKIS enters as TODD PALIN and stands next to POEHLER)
TODD LOOKING FINE ON HIS SNOW MACHINE,
SO HOT FOR EACH OTHER, NEED A GO-BETWEEN,
IN WASILLA, WE JUST CHILL BABY CHILLA
BUT WHEN I SEE OIL, IT'S...'
ALL -- 'DRILL BABY DRILLA!'
POEHLER –
'MY COUNTRY TIS OF THEE,'
FROM MY PORCH I CAN SEE,
RUSSIA AND SUCH.'
ALL THE MAVERICKS IN THE HOUSE, PUT YOUR HANDS UP,
ALL THE MAVERICKS IN THE HOUSE, PUT YOUR HANDS UP,
ALL THE PLUMBERS IN THE HOUSE, PULL YOUR PANTS UP,
ALL THE PLUMBERS IN THE HOUSE, PULL YOUR PANTS UP,
WHEN I SAY OBAMA,
YOU SAY AYERS,
OBAMA!
SAMBERG/ARMISEN –
'AYERS!'
POEHLER –
'OBAMA!'
SAMBERG/ARMISEN –
'AYERS!'
POEHLER –
'I BUILT ME A BRIDGE AND IT AINT GOING NOWHERE!
OOOOOHHHHHHHH.
MCCAIN/PALIN
GONNA PUT THE NAIL IN
THE COFFIN... OF THE MEDIA ELITE'
SAMBERG/ARMISEN –
'SHE LIKES RED MEAT!'
(A MOOSE ENTERS)
POEHLER –
'SHOOT A MUTHA HUMPIN MOOSE EIGHT DAYS OF THE WEEK,
NOW YOURE DEAD
NOW YOURE DEAD
CUZ I'M AN AMINAL, AND I'M BIGGER THAN YOU
HOLDIN' A SHOTGUN, WORKIN' THE PUMP
Everybody party, we GOING ON A HUNT
LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA
YO I'M PALIN I'M OUT!
(AMY, SUDEIKIS AND SAMBERG/ARMISEN EXIT AS SNOW FALLS)
MEYERS – 'I think you made the right decision not to do that.'
GOV. PALIN – 'You betcha.'
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Campaigning Shows an Inverted Political Plane

ST. LOUIS — There was the feel of a political world turned upside down on Saturday as Senator John McCain found himself defending North Carolina and Virginia, while Senator Barack Obama was greeted by huge crowds in Missouri, which Republicans had also considered safe just months ago.
Mr. McCain has escalated his attacks in recent days, all but accusing Mr. Obama on Saturday of being a socialist and saying his rival’s tax plan would turn the Internal Revenue Service into “a giant welfare agency.” Mr. McCain, Republican of Arizona, attached the politically charged word “welfare” to Mr. Obama for the second successive day.
For his part, Mr. Obama depicted Mr. McCain, who favors extending tax cuts for wealthier Americans, as removed from the reality of the hard times descending on the nation.
Mr. Obama, Democrat of Illinois, gave a striking sign of his electoral muscle when he arrived here and journeyed to the Gateway Arch on the Mississippi River. He saw 100,000 people spread out before him, a vast turnout in a state that teeters between the Republicans and Democrats.
Even Mr. Obama, who can wear self-possession like an overcoat, seemed taken aback. “What a magnificent day the Lord has made,” he said. “And thank you for being here today.”
The crowd offered a bubbling optimism that was at once tinged with a shot of wariness.
“Whoo! I am on a high to see so many people of so many colors,” said Nicole Brown, a young woman who lives in St. Louis. “I mean, I’m anxious — is this real?”
Others spoke of the economic anxiety, the dreary 401(k) portfolios and the layoffs that are beginning to ripple across the country. They lend anecdotal credence to the sense that the economic crisis has put a finger on the Democratic side of the electoral scales.
“Even the most conservative people know we’re in trouble,” said Debbie Sachs, a teacher from St. Louis. “People are scared, and he” — she pointed toward the stage where Mr. Obama was about to speak — “is cool.”
President Bill Clinton, in 1996, was the last Democrat to carry Missouri in a presidential election.
The changing electoral map presents pleasant complications for Mr. Obama. He must choose almost daily whether to take his fight to the electorally rich states of Florida and Ohio, both rated as tossups, or light out for such Republican territory as Indiana, Missouri and North Carolina.
“We’ve wanted to shatter the old assumptions about red states and blue states,” said Mr. Obama’s chief strategist, David Axelrod. “We’ve been locked in this dreary formula where there are three states that determine the election.”
But, Mr. Axelrod acknowledged, a state that appears safe, like Pennsylvania, could slide in a matter of days. And that gnaws at him. “I still can’t get any sleep,” he said.
That is why Mr. McCain’s running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, was campaigning once again in Pennsylvania on Saturday, this time in Lancaster County, a socially conservative area between Philadelphia and Harrisburg.
Mr. McCain began his day in Concord, N.C., north of Charlotte. He spoke in front of a “Victory in North Carolina” banner and a North Carolina state flag, not to mention supporters wearing “North Carolina for McCain-Palin” T-shirts.
Jimmy Carter, in 1976, was the last Democrat to win the presidential vote in North Carolina. Most polls show Mr. Obama with a slim lead there.
The financial turmoil has forced Mr. McCain to spend day after day talking about the economy — not his favorite subject, as he has acknowledged — and separating himself from the policies of President Bush.
Mr. McCain once again seized on what Mr. Obama said to Joe Wurzelbacher, the Ohio man now famously known as Joe the Plumber, when he explained why he favored a progressive income tax over a flat tax.
“We learned that Senator Obama’s economic goal, as he told Joe, is to, quote, ‘spread the wealth around,’ ” Mr. McCain said at the rally in Concord. “We’ve seen that movie before in other countries and attempts by the liberal left in this country before.”
Mr. McCain went further in his weekly radio address. He accused Mr. Obama, who favors giving tax credits to some who pay payroll taxes but not income taxes, of wanting to turn the I.R.S. “into a giant welfare agency, redistributing massive amounts of wealth.”
“At least in Europe,” Mr. McCain said, “the Socialist leaders who so admire my opponent are upfront about their objectives.”
[Pointer: the word "socialist" has for Republicans the same intention as the word "communist"]
Patricia Watts, 48, an insurance agent who was at the Concord rally, found herself balanced on a political fence until a week ago, when she heard Mr. McCain declare that he was not Mr. Bush. That worked for her.
“I realized,” Ms. Watts said, “you don’t have to change parties to have a change.”
She had briefly considered Mr. Obama, she said, but is now “afraid” of him and thinks he will bring “socialization.”
But contradictions pop up, as the government, led by a Republican president, intervened in the private sector by approving a $700 billion bailout to buy up distressed securities related to mortgages as well as interests in banks in need of cash. Mr. McCain’s health plan is centered on giving $2,500 tax credits to people, regardless of whether they pay income taxes.
And in North Carolina, Mr. McCain spoke of his plan to buy up distressed mortgages with some of that $700 billion.
“I’m going to spend a lot of that money bringing relief to you,” he said, adding, “We need to buy up these home loan mortgages, give you a mortgage that you can afford.”
The electoral landscape has grown complicated for the Republicans in recent weeks, with polls showing closely contested states like Pennsylvania sliding toward Mr. Obama. He is also running well in Virginia, which has not voted for a Democrat for president since 1964.
On Saturday, the Democrats distributed a transcript in which a senior McCain adviser, Nancy Pfotenhauer, told MSNBC that Northern Virginia, where Mr. McCain also campaigned on Saturday, was not “the real Virginia.”
But the Republicans have not yet waved a white flag, which is what brought Ms. Palin to Lancaster on Saturday.
As Mr. McCain did in North Carolina, Ms. Palin repeatedly invoked Joe the Plumber.
“So when he left Joe’s neighborhood in Toledo,” Ms. Palin said, “our opponent didn’t look real happy. Seems that the staged photo op there got ruined by a real person’s question.”
Ms. Palin, as has become her custom, did not take questions from the crowd or reporters.
The race is now all about confidence, trying to build up confidence for Republicans and guarding against overconfidence for Democrats.
In St. Louis, Mr. Obama, who is not immune to the vapors of overconfidence, caught himself talking about what he would do when he was president. He shook his head.
“No, no; I’m superstitious,” he said. “If I’m president ...”
The campaign recorded a short video to share the latest numbers:

Justices Block Effort to Challenge Ohio Voters

The Supreme Court overturned a lower court’s order that would have made challenging prospective voters easier.

* Text of the Decision (pdf)

 Back Story With Ian Urbina (mp3)