If this is true, then race trumps principles for Mr. Powell...
It will look like that to most Americans, regardless of his reasoning.
If anything I think that observation will further inject race into politics. If powel even MENTIONS race then it will just be race based endorsements.
First of all, we don't know if it is true.
Secondly, Powell has always been a moderate -- pro-choice, anti-gun, pro-affirmative action.
I'd be disappointed if it's true that Powell's endorsing Obama, but wouldn't jump to the conclusion that it was all about race for him.
Powell's liberal position on social issues and all his anger about the administration's foreign policy fit the "Obamican" profile.
That's not because he's of Jamaican ancestry and it wouldn't change if he were White.