I agree with you about Powell. He has his say, strongly, and then backs the decision of the President no matter what it is.
He's too multilaterist for my tastes, but his input is valuable.
He ain't my favorite by a long shot, but Powell is the number 1 political asset that Bush has going for him with much of the electorate, and certainly with the press. We had all better pray that he stays through the re-election campaign.