Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 9, 1995 TAG: 9511090059
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: The Boston Globe
DATELINE: ALEXANDRIA LENGTH: Long
With his wife, Alma, by his side, Powell told several hundred reporters and a nationwide television audience that he would register as a Republican for the first time but could not envision running for elective office. That, he said, repeating a line he has used for more than a year, ``is a calling I do not yet hear.''
``I cannot go forward,'' Powell said, sounding both subdued and relieved as he prepared to enter what he called the ``next phase'' of his life. Powell said his decision was largely for personal reasons, but he denied reports that he was bowing out because of his wife's concerns about his safety.
Powell's withdrawal prompted sadness among his many supporters across the political spectrum. But it also significantly bolstered the strength of front-runner Bob Dole, the Senate majority leader, and prompted relief from those in the Republican Party's conservative wing who thought Powell was too liberal and would rip apart the party. With Powell out, Republicans of all stripes said Wednesday they were delighted he had joined the party and wanted to recruit blacks into the GOP.
Powell's decision, which nearly every GOP campaign touted as helping their cause, also opened the door for other potential candidates to enter the race. These include House Speaker Newt Gingrich, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Ross Perot or some other third-party prospect.
Dole clearly benefits from Powell's withdrawal. While a Powell candidacy made the GOP contest a toss-up, a Time/CNN poll released Wednesday showed that without Powell in the race, Dole is preferred by 45 percent of Republicans over his closest competitor, Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas, who received 8 percent. President Clinton, meanwhile, may gain because he won't run against a candidate with such a strong potential to attract Democrats and independents.
As for Powell's role in the campaign, he left an array of options open, saying he may endorse a candidate but wouldn't pledge to support the GOP nominee. Powell also left open the possibility he would accept a Cabinet nomination, such as secretary of state.
After so many months of speculation, in which Powell had received mostly positive coverage and star-quality treatment on an array of magazine covers and television shows, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at times Wednesday sounded contrite about his long-anticipated decision.
``I'm sorry I disappointed you,'' Powell told supporters, ``but I hope you will see that in the next phase of my life, I will continue to serve the country in a way that will justify the kind of inspiration and enthusiasm and support you sent my way this time around.''
Perhaps the most emotional moment of the half-hour news conference came when Powell was asked what he might have done as president. Instead of brushing aside the question as a hypothetical, as politicians often do, Powell delivered what apparently would have been his campaign vision.
``Show leadership,'' Powell said. ``Be a conciliator. Move the country forward toward ... less government. Put us in a more fiscally responsible ... basis, and try to inspire people - try to restore a sense of family, restore a sense of shame in our society, help bring more civility into our society.''
Powell, who recently concluded a book tour promoting his autobiography, ``My American Journey,'' won acclaim for his rise through the military from an adviser in the jungles of Vietnam to the president's national security adviser and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He served under presidents Reagan, Bush and Clinton.
There was much speculation Wednesday that Powell's wife, Alma, had in effect stopped the candidacy because she feared he would be assassinated.
But Powell said Wednesday, ``I had no concerns about my personal security.'' Alma Powell then stepped before the assembly of more than 300 reporters at the Ramada Plaza Hotel here and said: ``I think everybody has known that I have had a concern, but I want you to know that it certainly played no role in his decision.''
The Powells also denied they were upset about a story last week that Alma Powell took an anti-depression drug. The retired general said that to the contrary, many people knew about it and he hoped people who had depression would hear about it and ``make a beeline'' to receive treatment.
Powell said he went ``back and forth'' many times in recent weeks about running for president. He said he made the final decision at a Monday dinner with his wife.
Powell came under the fiercest attack a week ago when a group of conservative activists denounced the general for everything from his character to his military views to his backing of abortion rights. Wednesday, Powell displayed his only public touch of anger when he denounced the activists, particularly one whom he did not name ``who never served in the military [and] jumps up and attacks me for my 35 years of service.''
The conservative activists opposed Powell because he had described himself as ``pro-choice'' on abortion and in favor of affirmative action and some gun control.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB