I think it will certainly sway some people. While Powell is certainly not a very popular individual, most of those who do not like him will already be voting for Obama. And those who do like him -- those who were and still are supporters of the Iraq War -- are mostly McCain suppoters. So maybe some of them will be swayed. It's not going to have a huge effect though.

Colin Powell made this issue about race when he made the comment. If you're trying to play me off as some type of Racist you would be far off the mark. I am gender and race neutral and I could care less the color of Obama's skin. Quite the opposite is true...I can't stand when someone makes a statement like Powell and then turns around and accuses others or making this racial. I have a good friend who is black and in-fact is voting for Obama. Not because he is black but because he is Liberal. I'm OK with that.

So you're happy...No. I don't think his endorsement will change anything. Obama is still going to win and in exchange for all of his spending I'm going to get a $500 tax cut. Big Deal.

Fwiw, Powell is listed as half Afro-American and half Jamaican American...

This is the same guy who told the UN that there were WMD's in Iraq, right? Wouldn't it be hypocritical of those who oppose the war for this reason to now be excited that Powell is on their side?

Obama has been spending money like it is going out of style on his campaign. I think he is outspending McCain 4 to 1 or something. He has even bought space in video games. He is trying his best to buy this election and everywhere you turn there is something with his face on it. That is why I don't think Powell's endorsement will actually sway many voters at this point. He can't possibly be in the media anymore than he has been and at this point the country is so Obama'ed out that it is just a ripple in the pond. Oprah backing Obama will sway more voters than this.

I don't think it goes either way. Had he supported McCain it would have made no difference, same as supporting Obama. People have made up their minds, we'll know the result in less than 20 days.

Shh. When he said it it was on bad Intel, when Bush said it he was lying to the American people...didn't you get the memo from Michael Moore?

Yes, that was his speech to the UN. I think he feels sold out by the current administration.

I don't think that it is about being excited to have Powell on 'their side' whatever side that is. I think that Powell's endorsement probably strikes at the core issues about foreign relations, military experience, etc, that McCain has been attacking Obama on. I respect Powell myself, but I don't know how he is perceived throughout the US. I think he probably gets more traction with the Republicans than the Democrats, so it seems like a significant endorsement to me.

MLG, this wasn't a race post. You can't claim that Powell brought it up first and made it about race, he was simply asked a question by a moderator. All the panelists answered the question. They all agreed (even the white ones...). The comment by the black panellist made the headlines. Get over it. Highlighting it makes you look small. I don't think that tolerating your black friend voting for Obama is a good defence against the concern about your focus on race. I am not accusing you of being a racist. I simply think that in your rush to trivialize and discount the endorsement, you seized on an inappropriate fact to try and negate it.

Either way, I think it is too late to have a significant impact. He should have done this earlier if he wanted to make a big difference, IMO.

Would not the endorsement have some effect on the "still" undecided voters? I am guessing yes it would.

Anyone still undecided should be embarrassed then hit themselves in the head with a brick :)