I agree. Like Bruno I would say that Powell is one of the more respected ex-members of theBush administration. I dont think it is race related in the slightest. All three (Powell, Obama, McCain) are intelligent men. McCain knows that if he were to attack Powell and start claiming it was a race issue there are more intelligent Americans that would be offended and see that as a racially motivated argument than those who would feel the same as him.
As a slight off-topic, I REALLY hope that Obama wins. Although until the votes come in and he is given the keys I dont believe he will. The polls mean nothing. When asked who they vote for people will often go along with the majority if they dont want the real reasons for their real opinion to be known. When you get into that voting booth its just you and the piece of paper.
My election prediction? A woman will be president in the next 4 years, either because the president dies (McCain) or because he is killed (Obama).