General Colin Powell’s endorsement of Barack Obama is as close as you’re going to get to an apology. Since leaving his high profile job in the White House General Powell has never second guessed his role in the war. Then Secretary of State Powell was a central figure in the misguided runup to war against Iraq. His speech at the UN outlining bogus intelligence was a defining moment in those days leading to war. The image of Secretary Powell holding up a vile and schematic drawings of mobile weapons labs while CIA Director Tenant looked on are now infamous. Following the invasion of Iraq his “If you break it you own it” quote about Iraq rang all too true and the inside battles he waged against Vice President Cheney are well documented. His opposition to the manner in which the war was being run ultimately caused “The Decider” to make Powell and “outsider”. Colin Powell turned out to be the good soldier, however. No anti-Bush book was written, no acrimonious speeches were given. Powell simply faded away.

This morning on Meet the Press Colin Powell, in a respectful way, complimented McCain but endorsed Obama. He based his decision not to support McCain on the negative tone of McCain’s campaign and his poor choice of VP. His reason for supporting Obama were the Illinois Senator’s problem-solving skills and his transformative message. This is a signature moment since Powell is a Republican. It also is significant because Powell, as Mark Halpern of Time Magazine states, is “a brand unto himself” and is a different kind of endorsement. Many will discount the Powell endorsement simply due to race but if anyone thinks the issue of race is a part of the equation merely has to look at a former soldier who chose the Republican party despite the fact there are only a small sliver of African-Americans who make up its rolls.

What will be the impact of Powell’s choice? The former Secretary of State has said he will not campaign for Obama but it is assured Obama will have Powell’s ear in regard to foreign affairs. There also exists the possibility of Obama coercing Powell to join his cabinet if he wins despite Powell’s admission on Sunday that he has no intention of reentering public life. Today’s announcement will surely consume a lot of oxygen these next few days, time the McCain camp needs to close the gap in the race with just over two weeks remaining. Perhaps Colin Powell will  have a chance to make amends for his role in moving this nation to war in 2003 by transforming the image of this nation around the world within an Obama administration. As Americans, we always hope for happy endings.