In case you need a refresher on the circumstances behind Powell’s departure as Secretary of State, the Bush administration forced Powell out because he was frequently at odds with cabinet members such as Donald Rumsfeld.  Powell never went public or spoke negatively about his time in the administration and has consistently taken the high road in all discussions on the matter.  As a result, he has maintained favorable opinion with most of the American public, and his endorsement of Obama is a severe blow to the McCain campaign.

Predictably, McCain has moved to counter the blow by mentioning that every other living Republican former Secretary of State has endorsed Senator McCain.  To paraphrase Chris Farley… La-deee-Fricking-dah.  Republicans endorsing one of their own is no surprise, and frankly, not much of an endorsement.  Is there anyone out there who thinks “Well, Nixon’s Secretary of State endorses McCain.  That’s good enough for me!”

Having a former member of the current administration endorse the candidate from the other party, on the other hand, speaks volumes about the ineptitude of Bush and, by extension, a presumptive McCain administration.