Colin Powell, the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and former United States Secretary of State under current US President George W. Bush, has weighed in on the general US Presidential Election race between presumed GOP nominee Senator John McCain of Arizona and presumed Democratic nominee Senator Barack Obama of Illinois.
He was giving a speech in Vancouver, the British Columbia province of Canada. Powell has said that he remains undecided on whom to support. But, Powell said that military experience will not be the factor that decides who he will vote for. Polls do say that McCain edges Obama in regards to Iraq. At the same time, polls say that Obama edges McCain on the economy. Also, the polls have said that the economy remains more important than Iraq.
Iraq has been playing second fiddle to the economy due to consistent poll results amongst most important issues. While McCain has the military experience, it does not necessarily mean that he will get support from Powell.
In that respect, Powell said he will support the one who can properly deal with the problems of the 21st century. Powell said that he would support on the basis of political party. He himself is a Republican.
Powell said that both Obama and McCain are qualified. “Both of them certainly have the qualifications to be president of the United States, but both of them cannot be,” Powell had explained.
In a sense, Powell may be a nice fit for McCain. Powell’s name has been tossed up as a possible VP running mate to McCain’s run for the presidency. Like McCain, Powell is also known for not being afraid to disagree with his party. In a sense, Powell is somewhat another “maverick” of the GOP.