Well, endorsements mean nothing. No endorsement has ever affected a decisions I have made to vote for anyone at the local, state or federal level.
I am completely astonished how much they mean to anyone, quite frankly. Doesn't anyone think for themsleves anymore? I think very highly of Powell. Always have. But his decision, or anyone's decision, of who to vote for is simply their right to do so. And that is all an endorsement is, publicly stating their choice.
The way I see it, we should all respect each other's right to vote for whomever one chooses. That is one of the great things about this country, freedom of choice of who to vote for. And while the choices should be debated, at the end of the day, people should be free to decide without injury or reprisal.