Colin Powell to Endorse Obama, Powell Appears on Meet the Press

And there are reports that former Secretary of State Colin Powell - who served the last three Republican presidents including George W Bush - may come out in support of the Democrat too.

Chris Mathews speculating on the possibility that Colin Powell will endorse Barack on one of the upcoming Sunday talk shows.

The big buzz is about that ''Meet the Press'' appearance Sunday starring former Secretary of State Colin Powell -- and whether he'll drop a big announcement just two weeks before the election.

So may we remind you here of a column written by former San Francisco Mayor -- and now Chronicle colleague -- Willie Brown last summer?

His take:

''Here's a prediction: Colin Powell is going to endorse Barack Obama.

If Powell, retired chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, does endorse, he blesses Obama as a capable leader who is able to manage critical national security and foreign policy matters. Though his push for the Iraq war somewhat tarnished his stellar reputation as a respected military man, Powell, who served three Republican presidents, remains popular. His support for Obama could sway moderates, males, in particular, and working class whites who might be buying into the GOP’s line that Obama isn’t patriotic or American enough.

Colin Powell appears Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press," and all of Washington is champing at the bit to know if he'll back Barack Obama.

If Powell, retired chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, does endorse, he blesses Obama as a capable leader who is able to manage critical national security and foreign policy matters. Though his push for the Iraq war somewhat tarnished his stellar reputation as a respected military man, Powell, who served three Republican presidents, remains popular. His support for Obama could sway moderates, males, in particular, and working class whites who might be buying into the GOP's line that Obama isn't patriotic or American enough.

The political world -- well, parts of it -- are abuzz today with speculation that Colin Powell might endorse Democrat Barack Obama on Sunday.

Powell, who served as President Bush's secretary of state, is to appear on NBC's "Meet the Press," prompting some to suggest that he might use that platform to make the announcement.

Powell has kept his choice close to the vest; just before the Democratic National Convention in late August, he batted down rumors that he would appear there to endorse Obama.

Powell has consulted with both Obama and McCain, and the general’s camp has indicated in the past that he would not endorse.

What is an "Obamacon?" The phrase surfaced in January to describe British conservatives entranced by Barack Obama. On March 13 the American Spectator broadened the term to cover all "conservative supporters" of the Democratic presidential candidate. Their ranks, though growing, feature few famous people. But looming on the horizon are two big potential Obamacons: Colin Powell and Chuck Hagel.

Neither Powell, first-term secretary of state for George W. Bush, nor Hagel, retiring after two terms as a U.S. senator from Nebraska, has endorsed Obama. Hagel probably never will. Powell probably will enter Obama's camp at a time of his own choosing. The best bet is that neither of the two, both of whom supported President Bush in 2000 and 2004, will back John McCain in 2008.