A top advisor to Mitt Romney has accused Colin Powell of endorsing the US president because they are both black - amid new evidence of a widening racial gap in the battle for the White House. John Sununu said he did not believe General Powell, the former Republican Secretary of State under George W Bush, switched parties and endorsed Barack Obama because he likes his policies. He said: ‘Frankly, when you take a look at Colin Powell, you have to wonder whether that’s an endorsement based on issues or whether he’s got a slightly different reason for preferring President Obama.’
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John Sununu claims Mr Powell is supporting the President's election campaign because of their shared race
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Says the former US Secretary of State - who is African American - did not make decision based on policy
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Poll show race for White House is racially divided with Obama supported by 80% of black and Hispanic voters but just 37% of whites
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Data also shows president is struggling to connect with whites who voted for him four years ago
The mixed-race Mr @placeholder successfully sold himself in  2008 as a 'post-racial' president who would bridge America’s historic black-white divide.