Posted on 11/16/2004 1:45:00 PM PST by West Coast Conservative
Hillary Rodham Clinton vs. Colin Powell in 2006?
That's the political heavyweight matchup envisioned by a Republican congressman who is urging the outgoing secretary of State to return to New York and challenge the first-term senator.
Rep. Vito Fossella of New York said he spoke to Powell on Tuesday and made the case for the retired four-star general to enlist in the Republican Party's effort to defeat Clinton, a standard-bearer for the Democrats.
``His roots and heart have always been in New York. I think he'd make a great representative and I urge him strongly to consider running,'' Fossella said.
The son of Jamaican immigrants, Powell was born and raised in New York City.
Clinton's 2006 re-election bid is already drawing national attention, in part because of its implications for the 2008 presidential race. The former first lady is seen as an early front-runner among Democrats.
Two names often mentioned as potential GOP challengers to Clinton in 2006 are also considered possible presidential candidates two years later: former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and New York Gov. George Pataki.
Fossella said he wants Powell to enter the race in part because he doubts that either Pataki or Giuliani is seriously weighing a campaign against Clinton.
``I don't see any inclination that either one will run at this point in time,'' Fossella said. ``Whoever wants to run has got to start laying the seeds and setting the stage to do so.''
A State Department spokeswoman cited Powell's comment Monday that he plans to return to private life. Officials in Clinton's office had no immediate comment.
Good. Send the Hill-de-Beast back into the forests of BOTSWANA.
Let's give it a rest, at least through the end of 2004, shall we.
Don't think Colin Powell is a good candidate..IMHO.
I am sure Shrillary will get the nom. but I seriously doubt she will put up much of a challenge.
I have only met one person who likes hillary (and I know a few dems)
At least with Kerry most of the country didn't know who he was, everyone knows Hillary and everyone hates her.
Don't think that Colin Powell's wife wants him to run for office.
Powell would beat her like a redheaded stepchild.
Could anybody coax Hillary into running against a wall?
Two women, no holds barred!!
RICE VS CLINTON !!!
It's going to be easy since he will more than likely replace Cheney in next couple of years.
Um, no. Powell is not what I would consider a viable Republican candidate. I'll leave it at that.
He's as good a candidate as NY GOP'ers could hope for. At the same time, it's a huge step down from being SOS to a US Senator and I'm not sure he'd want to do it.
General Powell may have made his mistakes but he wouldn't be that dumb. He is looking at a $10 million book deal; $100,000 lecture appearances and a stressless life.
He has served his time - let's give the guy a break.
06? Ahh good ol Newsmax, might as well read The Weekly Reader, its probably better researched.
Powell would cause me to stay home. I'm so sick of these armchair wanna be operatives pretend to know how to win elections. Anybody know what Powell stands for? What policies would he implement?
Powell's a good man, but I don't think he's Presidential material. Maybe VP. But it is time for the Repubs to start thinking about who will run for them in 2008.
this is nonsense. How about dealing with the challenges we face right now? Success in today's efforts is the best plan for 2008.
Colin Powell would never, ever run for President. No how. No way.
Dr. Rice does not hail from NY.
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