JAMAICAN-BORN American attorney Roger Archibald believes United States President Barack Obama will pick up many more votes today from Americans with Jamaican roots, following the endorsement of the president for a second term by former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Powell, who was born to Jamaican parents, served under the last Republican administration led by George W Bush. He played a key role in the US going to war with Iraq.

Archibald, part of Obama’s campaign team who also represents Congressman Yvette D Clarke (who is also of Jamaican parentage), told the Jamaica Observer yesterday that Powell’s endorsement was a defining moment for the naturalised Americans.

“…Based on feedback that I have received from interactions with a number of Jamaicans living overseas, many voters are leaning towards Obama,” he told the Observer at the Pegasus Hotel as he made last-minute preparations to return to the US to cast his ballot.

Reports in the US media suggest that Powell endorsed Obama because of the Democratic president’s efforts to end the war in Afghanistan and return American troops home, tackle terrorism, and stabilise the US economy. He also credited Obama for not leading the US into any new wars.

Archibald — who is based in New York — is of the view that Jamaican and other Caribbean nationals stand to benefit if Obama gets a second term. He said many are supporting Obama because of his new immigration policies.