Powell: McCain Gifted, Orthodox; Obama, Transformational

Speaking outside NBC News headquarters in Washington, Ret. Gen. Colin Powell held court:

"I think Sen. McCain as gifted as he is, is essentially, going to executive the orthodoxy of the Republican agenda with a new face and a maverick approach to it. I think we need more than that. I think we need a generation change.  My sole concern is where are we going after January 20, 2009."

"I'm well aware of the world I played; my role was straightforward. I wanted to avoid a war, and the president agreed with that and tried to go through the UN. And it didn't work, and I supported the president. And it looked great...but then [it went bad] and now it's starting to turn around."

On McCain's ads: "It troubled me. Those kind of images going out on Al-Jazeera are killing us around the world. This business from the congresswoman from Minnesota saying, let's examine all congressman to see who is pro-American or not pro-American."