Powell is no more a racist than you are. And I don't believe you are a racist at all. While I don't necessarily agree with everything - I certainly didn't agree with his support for Obama.... but, I believe he did so for the right reasons. I think he's honorable. I like honorable people. I respect and admire Powell. He and Condi would be my dream ticket. 8 years of those two, followed by a Rice Presidency.... Perfect.
It was one part of his reasons for backing Obama that I looked at as racist. He admitted that color was one factor in his support of Obama. Honest? Yes, he is. Racist? Sure seems like it to me. But hey I could be wrong, won't be the first or the last time.
Actually, I understand completely what he was saying. And, I agreed with him. It was time that America grew up and elected a minority - any minority - as POTUS. It sent a message... the only problem was it was the wrong guy and we can't afford a token President. We needed someone who was competent and Obama failed the competency test. But, I totally understand why blacks would see the election of a black person as POTUS as a hugely important breakthrough - it was.
And... at least he was intelligent about it. Unlike the hysterical loons that voted for him BECAUSE he's black and for no other reason.