Colin Powell says GOP having 'an identity problem'

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January 15, 2013

Colin Powell says GOP having 'an identity problem'

Anonymous From The Associated Press The Enid News and Eagle Tue Jan 15, 2013, 12:35 PM CST

WASHINGTON — Former Secretary of State Colin Powell says his own Republican Party is having "an identity problem."

The former Joints Chief of Staff chairman who twice endorsed Democrat Barack Obama for president tells NBC's "Meet the Press" that in recent years there's been "a significant shift to the right," and that's produced two losing presidential campaigns.

He says the GOP needs to "take a very hard look at itself and understand that the country has changed" demographically, and that if the party doesn't change, "they're going to be in trouble." He also bemoans what he calls "a dark vein of intolerance" in some elements of the party.

He describes himself as a moderate but still a Republican.

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