Ok OK, stop and hear me out. Colin Powel is no different from Wes Clark. He thought maybe he was a moderate republican. There could be such a thing. The Bush Co. made such noises and Bush I was known more or less for moderation too.
So what's the deal now? Well, Powel was wrong. Yes, Bush has really damaged his reputation. But Bush did that. Powel is a man weak against the likes of Bush when on the man's team. He is loyal. He had a low point or two in front of the UN. But this is Powel's personal weakness... not the weakness of his policies. His weakness of loyalty.
What if Powel jumped to a Democratic ticket. They have already said Powel will not work in a Bush second term White House. Wouldn't it be ironic if he did in fact for a second term in the White House however? If not a Clark-Powel ticket, then Powel as Sec. of Defense. Give it some thought.