Powell may have been SoS but I never really considered him to be a Republican. As for Weld, Carlson etc, they're history, who cares ?
What is news, going largely unreported, is Palin's enormous drawing power at campaign stops. Have to think this will make a difference as state/local media cover them.
I read somewhere that Obama's camp has definitely noticed so we must expect even more negative stories about her. The latest tack seems to be she's "divisive" and "going rogue".
Jesse Helms was the only Republican who ever stood up to Weld. That was eleven years ago.