Colin Powell Endorses Barack Obama

Obama wins Powell endorsement and massive cash haul (AFP)

Democrat Barack Obama won the coveted endorsement of former secretary of state Colin Powell Sunday as he entered the final fortnight before election day flush with cash to unleash against Republican John McCain.

The Republican Powell, on NBC program "Meet the Press," said Obama had "met the standard" to be commander-in-chief "because of his ability to inspire" Americans of all ages and ethnic and political stripes.

"I think he would be a transformational president. For that reason I will be voting for Senator Barack Obama," said Powell, who was the first African-American to serve as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff.

He said victory by the mixed-race Obama would make all Americans "proud," not just African-Americans, and would "electrify the world."