"Bod, seriously; he said it live when he talked to the press just after Meet The Press."

Show me. Telling me he said it isn't proof. A link to a direct quote might show me something. His on the record statement that he is/was a registered Republican would be even more convincing. You won't find that, because he isn't and never was a registered Republican.

I had other problems with what Powell said in his endorsement, particularly is comments on the Supreme court. It is currently slightly weighted to the left, and he was concerned that the balance would shift to the right under McCain. I don't know any Republicans that want a dominant left-leaning activist Supreme Court. Under Obama, we will get just that, and we'll have to live with it well beyond his time in office. Be prepared to be reminded of your vote for Obama every time the future Supreme Court says "to hell with the Constitution".