Despite their clashes as of late, Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell told a gathering of political and business leaders today that he will vote for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Powell was speaking at a meeting of the Long Island Association.
Powell: She Will ‘Serve With Distinction’
This breaking news came in via Twitter, with Newsday‘s Robert Brodsky tweeting the following:
Boom. Colin Powell says he will vote for Hillary Clinton. Says will serve w/ distinction and cites experience and stamina
— Robert Brodsky (@BrodskyRobert) October 25, 2016
Apparently, Colin Powell has had enough.
Just a few weeks ago, it was revealed in a leaked email that Powell wrote in 2014:
“I would rather not vote for her, though she is a friend I respect.”
Now, however, things have changed.
Colin Powell is apparently over being annoyed with Clinton -says at Long Island Association he plans to vote for her, and condemns Trump.
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) October 25, 2016
JUST IN: At Long Island Association luncheon, Colin Powell said he is endorsing and voting for Hillary Clinton, he tells @mitchellreports.
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) October 25, 2016
The tweets coming out from the event say that Powell is harshly condemning Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Says Trump"selling ppl a bill of goods." Says he is not qualified and has insulted huge swath of people. Full throttled Hillary endorsement https://t.co/LAsS7yglEm
— Robert Brodsky (@BrodskyRobert) October 25, 2016
Colin Powell on Donald Trump: "he insults us every day." Says he insults his supporters w/ his actions https://t.co/pklQaJs7T9
— Robert Brodsky (@BrodskyRobert) October 25, 2016
Powell is a well-known Republican who served in the George W. Bush administration. He has been loudly critical of both Clinton and Trump in recent months and has not come out in favor of either of them. Until today.
Powell supported President Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, so his endorsement of a Democrat is not completely novel. However, today marks the first time he’s confirmed he will vote for Clinton. He told the Washington Post‘s Karen DeYoung, after the announcement, that he is endorsing Clinton:
“… Because I think she’s qualified, and the other gentleman is not qualified.”
While true, I don’t know that I’d use the word “gentleman” to describe Trump.
Powell joins a growing list of prominent Republicans who have said publicly that they plan to vote for Clinton. I’m sure we’ll hear from more before Election Day.
Featured image via screenshot from YouTube video