Colin Powell is going to fire back at Cheney, LImbaugh

There may be some fireworks on this Memorial Day weekend -- intra-GOP fireworks.

Colin Powell may have been a successful military leader, but he's fighting a futile battle here. Cheney and Limbaugh are the leaders of the GOP now. And, those two are who the dwindling number of Republicans actually want to lead them:

Radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh and former vice president Richard B. Cheney have attacked Powell in recent days as a traitor to his party.

"What Colin Powell needs to do is close the loop and become a Democrat, instead of claiming to be a Republican interested in reforming the Republican Party," Limbaugh told listeners. And Cheney dryly commented: "I didn't know he was still a Republican."

Powell's turn will come this weekend. He is scheduled to appear on CBS's "Face the Nation" tomorrow and has told associates that he plans to answer his critics. Whether he will make an announcement about his party affiliation is unclear.

Sounds like the leaders of the GOP have already made a decision about Powell's party affiliation. They've kicked him out of their exclusive, right-wing club.