WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell is widely expected Sunday to denounce the personal attacks against Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

Powell, a Republican and friend of Republican presidential nominee John McCain, is appearing Sunday morning on NBC's "Meet the Press" program. His appearance has sparked rumors the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is going to endorse Obama, over his longtime friend McCain.


The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday that Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, Powell's former chief of staff, said his ex-boss was "upset" by the "vitriol, bile and prejudice" aimed at Obama on the campaign trail.

"We've talked about this and I know it really bothers him and I'd expect him to talk about it," he said.

Wilkerson said Powell would likely make an endorsement now that the third and final presidential debate behind the candidates.

"He likes to make his decisions at the 60 percent point in terms of information and timing. Most people make a decision too quickly or too late, on the basis of too little information or having waited for all the information they are a day late and a dollar short," he said.