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.
Powell is the former chairman of the military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff and Cabinet member under President George W. Bush. Powell caused a stir in Republican political circles four years ago when the longtime GOP figure endorsed Obama over war hero Sen. John McCain, calling Obama a “transformational figure.”
Powell said in an appearance on NBC’s “Today” show, he’s not so this time. At least, not yet. Powell said, “It’s not just a matter of whether you support Obama or Romney. It’s who they have coming in with them.
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.”
