Powell's Chief of Staff: Iraq Intel Was 'Outright Lies', But Powell Didn't 'Knowingly Lie' at U.N.

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40. I believe Powell could easily have beaten Clinton had he chosen to run in 1992. He was just

that popular after the Gulf War. But, he'd have had to run against Bush, Sr. to whom
he felt a depth of gratitude. Bush, Sr., among other things, had used his influence in
helping Powell become a general. Also, from what I've read, Mrs. Powell was terrified
at the idea of Powell's being assassinated, had he won the presidency. She was dead
set against his running for that position.

I wouldn't be surprised that he accepted the position of Sec'y of State when asked by
Bush, Jr., partially because of his gratitude to Bush, Sr. Also, he had stated in his
autobiography that he would try his best to respond positively to the request of any
president of the United States, if and when asked to do so.

If you've read his autobiography, he'd said that he didn't know what he should study
when he started college. He wasn't interested in any particular field. Then he joined
the ROTC while there, and realized that this was where he felt he belonged. His
description of his experiences in the ROTC showed that very likely he had the authoritarian
type of personality. Taking, following and passing on orders was what made him comfortable.

It was too bad that he had come in contact with Bush, Jr. That was his luck. If Bush, Jr.
hadn't happened in his life, Powell would have had the reputation of being one of the most
popular and all-time great American generals.

Powell's personality type was well-suited to that of a military man. He needed to have some
authority figure above him. He should not have tried his hand at a non-military position.
And secondly, gratitude -- especially of the second-hand variety -- to a man like Bush, Jr.
could and did prove fatal to the success that was already his.