"He has both style and substance. I think he is a transformational figure," Powell, a Republican, said on NBC's "Meet the Press."
"Obama displayed a steadiness. Showed intellectual vigor. He has a definitive way of doing business that will do us well," he said.
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U.S. Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) speaks at a campaign rally in Kansas City, October 18, 2008 |
He said he questioned Republican presidential nominee John McCain's judgment in picking Sarah Palin as his running mate because he doesn't think she is ready to be president.
Obama also said he was disappointed with some of McCain's campaign tactics, such as bringing up Obama's ties to former 1960sradical Bill Ayers.
Powell served as secretary of state under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005
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Former Secretary of State Colin Powell speaks during a taping of "Meet the Press" at NBC in Washington October 19, 2008 |