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I have studied Martin Luther King's I have a Dream Speech. I have listened to FDR's Fireside Chats, Winston Churchill's nightly radio talks to the UK during the London Blitz, and I have read the Gettysburg Address. Colin Powell's interview topped them all because I was able to
see it as it unfolded rather than on old footage.

This is a review of Powell's communication style not the endorsement, not the substance. Just the way he communicated the message he wanted America to hear. So you might ask what made this interview so outstanding? His use of what I identify as the Seven C's of Communication:

1. Clarity
2. Confidence
3. Comprehensive and
4. Concise
5. Conviction
6. Comfort
7. Charisma

1. Clarity
I talk about the scalpel of clarity; Colin Powell demonstrated what talking with clarity sounds like. In this interview he took the most complex issues, and answered them in what I refer to as the time it takes to walk across the room. The question about Sarah Palin's qualifications as Vice-President he answered with a clarity that surprised even veteran political pundits. He said clearly, the only job a vice president has is to be prepared to be president. Do you answer in the time it takes to walk across a room?

2. Confidence
Confidence is defined as a belief in yourself and your abilities. Powell mastered a quiet, seemingly immovable confidence in himself and the decision he made. Senator Joseph Lieberman is another example of a well-known figure that changed parties in support of a presidential candidate. Lieberman announced his support for McCain in front of a bigger live audience, and he did it with more words and a big stage. Powell communicated his support with more confidence. Confidence is not necessarily about drama or a grand stage. The most powerful confidence is an inner confidence. Do you communicate with the inner confidence to move things forward?

3. Comprehensive and
4. Concise
Powell's comprehensive approach to answering every unasked question about his endorsement was mind-boggling. In moments, he verbalized his logical reasoning for why he was voting for Obama. He was comprehensive yet concise when he identified McCain's Supreme Court nominations, Barack's intellectual curiosity, and steadiness and ability and desire to be inclusive. Did you know you could be both comprehensive and concise?

5. Conviction
Brokaw asked Powell some challenging questions, particularly toward the conclusion of the interview. Whatever the question, Powell gave his answer and his endorsement

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