Powell Makes Mac Play Defense (Again)

Colin Powell’s endorsement of Barack Obama has backed an already-defensive John McCain even further into a corner, writes Politico. Following what McClatchy Newspapers calls a “blistering critique” of McCain’s campaign by the former secretary of state, the Republican has found himself defending anew the Palin pick, the Ayers angle and his recent onslaught of negative robocalls—a tactic he condemned in the 2000 race.

McCain rebuked Powell's take on Palin yesterday, comparing her to Bill Clinton, an "inexperienced governor of a small state ... with no real background. And guess what? We had 8 years of President Bill Clinton." Analysts say Powell’s endorsement was impeccably timed—with early voting already underway in several swing states—and it should hit the mark with many undecided voters, who will be swayed by Powell’s respected personality.
(More Election 2008 stories.)