I’m pretty sure Andrew Lahde is the first person to point out the problem is moronic rich kids with Ivy League degrees running everything. This will dawn on everybody else eventually but it will take a long time.

Colin Powell faces the same problem all the other bien pensant Republicans of the Northeast face, which is that to survive socially, and by extension economically, you have to have the right kind of politics. Obvious bailers are Peggy Noonan and Christopher Buckley, but there are many others. Life has been hell for these people for years. They have to make excuses for Bush everywhere they go. If Obama wins it will not be enough to be for him after the election, it will be demanded that you were an open supporter. Harsh criticism of Bush may function as a partial substitute.

Endorsing Obama only really helps Powell if the race is close. Then he can take some credit for putting Obama over the top. If it’s a blowout latecomers will not be welcomed into the fold. Right now there is some chance of McCain pulling it out so it would be risky for Powell. Powell is not a risk taker. He goes with the prevailing winds. If Obama was well ahead he would endorse him. The fact that he has not endorsed him yet says something.