Colin Powell has endorsed Barack Obama for President.

Powell, a Republican, is a former Secretary of State in President George W. Bush’s first term, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the man who led Operation Desert Storm against Saddam Hussein, and National Security Adviser to the first President Bush.

Powell’s eloquent depiction of Obama as a “transformational figure” came in an interview on NBC’s Meet The Press:

This is the transcript of General Colin Powell’s endorsement of Senator Barack Obama. The transcript of the full interview is available from NBC’s Meet The Press.

MR. BROKAW: General Powell, actually you gave a campaign contribution to Senator McCain. You have met twice at least with Barack Obama. Are you prepared to make a public declaration of which of these two candidates that you’re prepared to support?

GEN. POWELL: Yes, but let me lead into it this way. I know both of these individuals very well now. I’ve known John for 25 years as your setup said. And I’ve gotten to know Mr. Obama quite well over the past two years. Both of them are distinguished Americans who are patriotic, who are dedicated to the welfare of our country. Either one of them, I think, would be a good president. I have said to Mr. McCain that I admire all he has done. I have some concerns about the direction that the party has taken in recent years. It has moved more to the right than I would like to see it, but that’s a choice the party makes. And I’ve said to Mr. Obama, “You have to pass a test of do you have enough experience, and do you bring the judgment to the table that would give us confidence that you would be a good president.” [Read more…]