By Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer
DETROIT (Oct. 19, 2008) – Sen. Barack Obama will enter the final 15 days of the presidential campaign with the coveted endorsement of former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell, leading his rival in national polls, and raising record-breaking amounts of campaign cash.  What’s going to be next?

Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press, Powell announced his endorsement of the freshman senator from Illinois.  “I watched Mr. Obama, and he displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge . . . in not just jumping in and changing every day, but showing intellectual vigor.”

Powell, breaking with his party and friend Sen. John McCain, said he was “unsure” McCain had ready solutions for America’s biggest challenge: the U.S. economy. But that wasn’t his only reason for giving Obama the nod.  Powell expressed his “disappointment” with the negative tone of the McCain campaign and his fellow Republican/s selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.  “I don’t believe she is ready to be president of the United States,” Powell said.

While campaigning in Fayetteville, N.C., Obama said he was “honored” by Powell’s endorsement.  Telling the crowd gathered not far from Ft. Bragg, “Colin Powell reminded us of what’s at stake in this election, for America and for the world. He reminded us that at a defining moment like this, we don’t have the luxury of relying on the same political games and the same political tactics that have been used in so many elections to divide us from one another and make us afraid of one another.”

McCain played down the endorsement, saying he wasn’t “surprised” and that he has the endorsements of four other secretaries of state.  But the endorsement by Powell, 71, has more gravitas because of his 35-year military experience, as well as his resume, which includes serving as secretary of State during President George W. Bush’s first term, and as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

On the fundraising front, Obama’s campaign announced it had raised $150 million dollars in September, more than doubling its record-breaking haul in August of $62 million.  Now having broke every fundraising record, the Obama campaign is highlighting its desire to continue drawing in new donors each month who can contribute as little as five dollars.

McCain campaigned in Toledo, this weekend in hopes of narrowing the current lead in the important swing state.  The latest statewide polls in several Midwest states give Obama an edge. 
Here, in Michigan, it’s not close: Obama has 51 percent of likely voters to McCain’s 39 percent.  In Ohio, Obama leads 48 percent to 45 percent, and in a Minnesota poll, conducted Thursday and Friday, Obama is supported by 52 percent of likely voters, while 41 percent are backing McCain. 

Polls in Wisconsin and Iowa give Obama a 10-point advantage over his rival.

The results show Obama is continuing to gain support in states Bush carried in 2004, placing a great deal more pressure on McCain to “battle”