Could 🧙Gandalf turn Sam into a toad if he wanted to?

[Beorn84]

Could gandalf actually turn sam into a toad had he wanted to i know thry have been limited in there powers one being they are bodoed as old men

 

[Exma]

No...I do not think so. Although it does not say it in the books specifically that Eru created Hobbits Tolkien did say in Letters:
Hobbits are, of course, really meant to be a branch of the specifically human race (not Elves or Dwarves)." (Letter 131)
"’hobbits’ were in any case a wholly dissimilar sort [from other Author’s creatures], a diminutive branch of the human race." (Letter 319)
Thus, since Eru gave life to Men, it must be assumed then that He did so with Hobbits as well. If that's the case, then I do not think that Eru would allow a Maia (which is the race that Gandalf is) to be able to alter the physical appearance of any of His creations.
Also, Gandalf's magic was of a more subtle sort anyway.

 

[Beorn84]

I was just wondering if gandalf had the power to or if his powers even went into that area of wizardry

 

[Exma]

No...I don't believe Gandalf (or any of the Istari for that matter) had the ability to do that sort of 'magic'. If he could then certainly he would have turned Wargs into kittens Like I said a bit ago...his 'magic' was more subtle. Alot of what he did throughout the war against Sauron was achieved thru Narya and what Cirdan says to him when he give him Narya I think also speaks of what sort of 'magic' Gandalf possesses. But Cirdan from their first meeting at the Grey Havens {i.e. when Gandalf first arrived (by ship) in Middle Earth} divined in him the greatest spirit {i.e. of the Istari} and the wisest; and he welcomed him with reverence, and he gave to his keeping the Third Ring, Narya the Red. 'Great labours and perils lie before you, and lest your task prove too great and wearisome, take this Ring for your aid and comfort. It was entrusted to me only to keep secret, and here upon the West-shores it is idle; but I deem that in days ere long to come it should be in nobler hands than mine, that may wield it for the kindling of all hearts to courage.' Appendix B, RoTK. Gandalf was all about leading people to face their enemies with courage and to appreciate and fight for their life's blessings. You see throughout The Hobbit and the LoTRs examples of Gandalf raising the spirit of all, like what he did for Theoden. I don't think his ability to do things like withstand the power of say the palantir was a sign of 'magic' either. He was, afterall, a Maia.