Former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell endorsed Senator Barack Obama for president on Sunday morning as a candidate who was reaching out in a “more diverse and inclusive way across our society” and offering a “calm, patient, intellectual, steady approach” to the nation’s problems. The endorsement, on the NBC public affairs program “Meet the Press,” was a major blow to Senator John McCain, who has been a good friend of Mr. Powell for decades. Mr. Powell, a Republican, has advised Mr. McCain in the past on foreign policy. Mr. Powell told reporters after the taping of “Meet the Press” that he had been disturbed in recent weeks by the negative tone of Mr. McCain’s campaign, particularly its focus on Mr. Obama’s passing relationship with William Ayers, a 1960s radical and founder of the Weather Underground. The McCain campaign has sought to promote the idea that Mr. Obama is “palling around with terrorists,” in the words of Mr. McCain’s running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin, because of Mr. Obama’s weak links to Mr. Ayers. “I thought that was over the top,” Mr. Powell told reporters. “It was beyond just good political fighting back and forth.” Mr. Powell did offer Mr. McCain a small dose of solace by calling him a different kind of Republican, although one who would support the party’s standard positions. “As gifted as he is, he is essentially going to execute the Republican agenda, the orthodoxy of the Republican agenda, with a new face and a maverick approach to it, and he’d be quite good at it,” Mr. Powell said. “But I think we need a generational change.” In offering his endorsement, Mr. Powell becomes the highest profile Republican to add his support to the Democratic ticket. Aides said it was not yet known whether the two men would campaign together – or what Mr. Powell would do alone – in the final two weeks of the presidential campaign. Those talks, aides said, were underway on Sunday … Mr. Powell met with both Mr. McCain and Mr. Obama in June in preparation to make a possible endorsement. He has said repeatedly in recent months that he wanted to wait until after the political conventions and the presidential debates before making a decision … Mr. Powell also told reporters on Sunday that he was troubled that a number of Americans believe that Mr. Obama is a Muslim, although he did not directly link that supposition to the McCain campaign. At a recent town-hall style meeting, Mr. McCain told an audience member who said she thought that Mr. Obama was an “Arab,” “no, ma’am, he’s a decent family man.” “These are the kinds of images going out on Al Jazeera that are killing us around the world,” Mr. Powell said. “And we have got to say to the world it doesn’t make any difference who you are and what you are. If you’re an American you’re an American.”

Before offering his vigorous endorsement of Barack Obama for President, Powell spoke very thoughtfully about how he came to his decision to endorse. He explained that he had been good friends with McCain for many years and didn’t come to his decision without much consideration. But, he says, he has come to realize that McCain is not ready to lead the country thru its current economic crisis nor does he believe that McCain has the judgment to make the right choices for our country (he cited McCain’s decision to elevate the, in his estimation, unqualified Sarah Palin to the office of Vice President. Powell contends that she is nowhere near ready to occupy that position). He, in turn, believes that Obama has shown steady leadership thruout his campaign, has showed intellectual vigor and offers a definitive way of doing the business of governance that will serve our country well. He also talked much about Obama’s inclusive nature that will unite our country rather than the Republican’s divisive nature that is further damaging our country. After the jump, watch video of Colin Powell offering his endorsement of Barack Obama in his own words …

Singer Christina Aguilera may have been out of the spotlight for nearly a year after having her first child, but she sure knows how to return to it. Ten months after giving birth to her son Max, the Dirrty singer made her return to the stage in a series of eye-catching outfits at London’s Albert Hall. Including a Bianca Jagger style white suit and fedora hat, albeit accessorised with a bra top. The 27-year-old singer guaranteed all eyes were on her as she arrived in a Harlequin-esque Pucci tunic. The blonde singer teamed her $2,095 turtleneck, silk dress with leather-look leggings and $700 Yves Saint Laurent purple Tribute heels as she arrived at the Africa Rising Festival at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Later she changed into a racy leopard-print leotard and cropped tuxedo, showing she’s lost none of her pre-motherhood sex appeal. The event marked Christina’s first performance since taking time out for motherhood late last year. She shared the stage with African supermodel Alek Wek and former US Secretary of State and retired general Colin Powell, who entertained the crowds with his funky dance moves. The Africa Rising event aims to raise awareness of African issues, such as poverty and trade and hopes to find “sustainable solutions”. She revealed she was loving motherhood and was looking forward to having more children with her music executive husband Jordan Bratman. She said: “Absolutely, we’ll definitely have more kids. I don’t know (when). We’ll play it by ear.”

No doubt, Xtina looks hawt these days. I’m totally diggin’ her new look. I’m also diggin’ that Colin Powell seems to have lightened up a smidge since his days working for the Bush Administration. Truth be told, I always thought that he would be the first African American to make a viable run for the White House (by receiving the nomination of one of the major political parties in this country) … it’s funny the way things work out. In any event, kudos to all the performers and supporters of the Africa Rising project. It sounds like it was a very fun and very effective event.

[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source]