Powell 96

[stalkinghorse]

Had Colin Powell entered the GOP primaries in 1996, would he have got the nomination?

Who would have made good potential running mates for him?

Would he have had any chance of victory? How would he have got on?

[Lincoln Republican]

Bob Dole was the party favorite in 1996.  Basically, it was Dole's turn to carry the GOP banner in the Presidential election.

Dole was politically experienced and well connected in Republican circles and was popular amongst the party base.

Powell's distinguished record as National Security Advisor and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff would have served Powell well in a run in the primaries, however, Dole's political connections would have won him the nomination. 

Had Powell won the nomination, a good running mate for him would have been Senator John Warner of Virginia, politically experienced and well respected.

Had Powell become the nominee, Clinton would still have won reelection, although by a smaller margin than what he won over Dole.