Powell endorses Obama, chides McCain campaign tone (AP)

<p><a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/topstories/*http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081019/ap_on_el_pr/powell"><img src="http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20081019/capt.41ef32153273459185d86b89dea794a5.powell_wx113.jpg?x=130&y=84&q=85&sig=VeYP6RUZjsTMDUCWX7lfJw--" align="left" height="84" width="130" alt="In this photo provided by NBC, Meet The Press, shows former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell speaking during a taping of 'Meet the Press' at NBC Sunday Oct. 19, 2008, in Washington. Powell, a Republican who was President Bush's first secretary of state, endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president Sunday, and criticized the tone of Republican John McCain's campaign. (AP Photo/Meet The Press, Brendan Smialowski)" border="0" /></a>AP - Colin Powell, a Republican and retired general who was President Bush's first secretary of state, broke with the party Sunday and endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president, calling him a "transformational figure" while criticizing the tone of John McCain's campaign.</p><br clear="all"/>