Brzezinski: Powell Endorsement A "Comprehensive Indictment" Of McCain-Palin Ticket

Former National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski tells the Huffington Post that Gen. Colin Powell's endorsement of Barack Obama represents a "comprehensive indictment" of the McCain-Palin ticket.

In his Sunday appearance on NBC's Meet the Press, Powell laid out an expansive endorsement of Obama, saying he is convinced that the Illinois Democrat has "met the standard" of perhaps becoming "an exceptional president" and a "transformational figure."

Brzezinski said he thinks Powell's endorsement to play a major factor in the race. "I was impressed by the comprehensive indictment of the current Republican ticket that was implicit in Powell's statement. It was not just about foreign affairs, it was a comprehensive statement that conveys the message that the more traditionally centrist Republicans are coming to view the McCain-Palin ticket as some sort of deviation -- some sort of break -- with the genuine traditions of the Republican Party."

Brzezinski also rejected the notion, floated by some, that Powell's endorsement could be discounted by undecided white voters as mere "racial solidarity," saying: "Because of his military service, his role in the first Gulf War, his status as a past Secretary of State, it has put him above the racial divide. He's seen more as an elder statesman."

The aide to President Carter predicted a Powell endorsement for Obama previously in an interview with the Huffington Post. But while he noted on Sunday that Powell's endorsement also "breaks the phalanx" of support for McCain from members of President George H.W. Bush's inner circle, Brzezinski said he doesn't necessarily expect to see more Bush 41 figures backing Obama. "Some of the others have engaged in a kind of routine endorsement [of McCain]," he said. Brzezinski also revealed that he still has not heard any explicit words of support from Bush 41 National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft, with whom he is close. "I'll be seeing him later today," Brzezinski said. "I'm sure he's going to be besieged."

As the Huffington Post reported previously, Gen. Scowcroft has settled on a policy of "neutrality" in the presidential contest between Obama and McCain.

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