"I think the [GOP] party has to stop shouting at the world and at the country,"Powell said. "I think that the party has to take a hard look at itself, and I've talked to a number of leaders in recent weeks and they understand that." Powell, who says he still considers himself a Republican, said his party should also stop listening to conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh.

"Can we continue to listen to Rush Limbaugh?" Powell asked. "Is this really the kind of party that we want to be when these kinds of spokespersons seem to appeal to our lesser instincts rather than our better instincts?"

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/11/powell-gop-polarization-backfire d-in-election/?iref=werecommend

Heh. At least Powell's on the road to redemption. Who is next?

Quoting Powell from the above article:
"In another 20 years, the majority in this country will be the minority..." Powell also said, the GOP must see what is in the "hearts and minds" of African-American, Hispanic and Asian voters "and not just try to influence them by… the principles and dogma."

An interesting editorial on the future of the Republican Party also crossed my path: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/18/AR2008111802886. html

There is a common theme here: allowing a political course of action to be controlled entirely by ideology and dogma doesn't work well in the long run. However, it's easy to get fooled because ideology plays well on the radio, the Internet, and amongst groups of fellow adherents.