I've always respected Gen. Powell as a person, military professional and as Secretary of State. I think he ended up "taking one for the team" while SecState, and he did that with grace.

He's an interesting sort, in that he has been involved in political frays while never being an elected official. He gives me the impression that a lot of sharp folk do who are courted by the parties, but are independent thinkers in the end, and don't want the party restrictions on what to say, how to think, and whom to surround yourself with. He's ticked off the Reps and the Dems, because he's willing to speak his mind regarding issues, and doesn't care if the RNC or DNC editors are offended.

The fact that he's changed his mind on some issues is healthy. It's what thinking people do when open-minded enough to accept new information on a topic.

I don't have to agree with him on everything to respect him and consider him a moral person who refuses to become a typical party lemming. And the fact that he doesn't want to seek elected office is no surprise, as who would want to get involved in, or subject one's family to, the dirty and immoral business that campaigning has become?

He's smart, well educated, highly experienced militarily and diplomatically, articulate and not-party-dependent. That's a pretty decent combination.