Retired U.S. Gen. Colin Powell, a former secretary of state in the Bush administration, on Sunday endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

In an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Powell backed Obama over fellow Republican John McCain, calling the Democratic nominee a “transformational figure” who could be an “exceptional president.”

Powell said he plans to vote for Obama in the November 4 election but does not intend to campaign for the Illinois senator as Obama and McCain enter the final weeks of their battle for the White House.

This is a pretty big endorsement for Obama.