Colin Powell

The grandest presidential campaign that never happened came to a screeching halt on November 8, as retired General Colin Powell announced that he would not run for President. Or Vice President. Or Senator. Or Mayor. Or your local school board. It's over; Powell's out. At lest you needed a reminder, the General has said that he will not be Dole's running mate. So everyone just deal with it, okay?

For a short while after wrapping up a 20-city tour to promote his autobiography, My American Journey, Powell had political pundits on the edge of their seats, awaiting a candidacy that most agreed would bring the campaign a charisma, and straightforwardness that was painfully lacking. A Time magazine poll said that 90% of voters had "a favorable impression" of him. Throngs of fans packed book stores at every signing appearance. Reporters slavered over every minute detail they could come up with, from who he called to what car he drove. Issues? Platforms? Pish-posh; that would spoil all the fun.

Now that Powell's out, everyone is claiming to have won a victory: Dole supporters say the Senator has won back the Republican voters who would have deserted him, while the pro-Clinton faction claims to now have the undecideds that can swing the President's re-election. And dark horse Republican candidates now claim they can get back to serious conservative business without any "outsider" meddling (Powell's pro-choice stance didn't have conservative Republicans exactly welcoming him to the party).

Whichever way the wind blows in the coming months of this Powell-less campaign, one thing is certain: Powell has left an indelible mark on politics as usual, forcing the country to question--if only for a moment--if there is indeed a Happy Hunting Ground where conservatives and liberals can meet halfway. The answer might have disappeared with Powell's candidacy, but perhaps the General has forced us to keep on asking. Old soldiers never die, you know; they just go on another book tour.

Internet resources about the General:

Powell For President

This organization was ready and willing to start fighting until the news hit. If the site remains up, it's an excellent compendium of quotes, links, and info on Powell's embryonic policies.

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