Colin Powell Autographed Newsweek

Sunday, Colin Powell, who at one time was considered a possible presidential candidate, threw his friend of 25 years, John McCain, under the bus. Powell on "Meet the Press": "I think he is a transformational figure, he is a new generation coming onto the world stage, onto the American stage, and for that reason I'll be voting for Sen. Barack Obama."

Powell expressed concern that the Republican Part has "moved more to the right than I would like to see it." He also expressed his doubt that Sarah Palin had the necessary qualifications to become vice-president.

Powell was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1991 and 1992. He served as George W. Bush's Secretary of State from 2001 to 2005.

In 1997, while Powell was not engaged in government service, I sent an index card to his home address which he returned with a signature. A little later, I sent him this copy of Newsweek which he signed: