In this July 1, 2008 file photo, former Secretary of State Colin Powell addresses a crowd at an event called "An Evening With Colin Powell," held for the 2008 U.S. Scholar-Athlete Games, in Providence, R.I.. When Colin Powell, a Republican, recently condemned using Muslim as a smear, on NBC's "Meet the Press" - a tactic he said members of his own party allowed - there was an outpouring of gratitude and relief from American Muslims. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, file)

In this July 1, 2008 file photo, former Secretary of State Colin Powell addresses a crowd at an event called "An Evening With Colin Powell," held for the 2008 U.S. Scholar-Athlete Games, in Providence, R.I.. When Colin Powell, a Republican, recently condemned using Muslim as a smear, on NBC's "Meet the Press" - a tactic he said members of his own party allowed - there was an outpouring of gratitude and relief from American Muslims. (AP Photo/Steven Senne, file)

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)

In this Oct. 10, 2008 file photo former Secretary of State Colin Powell leaves federal court in Washington. Powell, a Republican who was President Bush's first secretary of state, endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008, and criticized the tone of Republican John McCain's campaign. Powell said both Obama and McCain are qualified to be commander in chief, but that Obama is better suited to handle the nation's economic problems as well as help improve its standing in the world. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

This photo provided by NBC, 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)

Former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell speaks 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)

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)

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)

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)

This photo provided by NBC, 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)