Colin Powell runs in 2000.

Suppose General Colin Powell's wife had allowed him to run for the presidency in 2000. He would've flattened GW Bush in the primaries, but had a tougher fight with McCain.

He would have easily rolled over Al Gore in the general election and might have prevented 9/11 from happening. Or could he?
 

Jasen777

Donor
No, Powell's pro-choice stance would make it virtually impossible for him to win the Republican nomination.
 
I don't agree: don't forget that Ike held positions that the conservative wing of the party didn't like in 1952, and yet not only got the nomination but was quite successful in the White House. It seems to me that Powell would have managed to revive the near-dormant moderate/liberal branch of the Republicans--and do you really think the staunch conservatives would turn their backs on a proven war hero on a single litmus test? Talk about shooting oneself in the foot if your answer is "yes"...

Anyhow, the cliffhanger election in 2000 becomes a walkover: the GOP holds its typical constituency plus picking up noticeable numbers of blacks, who recognize that they're not overlooked by the Republicans after all. Moreover, I suspect having a former general in the White House might give al-Qaeda a bit of pause: 9/11 might not have come off as it did in OTL, or maybe not even at all.
 

Jasen777

Donor
1952 was before the primary system was in place. That makes a huge difference.

Social conservatives probably wouldn't abandon him in the national election if he were the Republican nominee. But I'm talking in the primaries, and he's got no chance in most of the early states.

It's why Giuliani tried his wait and see strategy, he had no chance and most of the early states in he knew it.
 
No, Powell's pro-choice stance would make it virtually impossible for him to win the Republican nomination.

You may have a point there but if anyone could have foreseen the current 8-year nightmare that we endured with the weaker candidate - GW Bush, things would have gone a lot differently.
 
There is one other factor favouring Powell in 2000. Republicans REALLY wanted to win. (hence their interesting take on a free and fair election in Florida in OTL)

A certain number of Republicans would have voted for a guy they did not love in the primaries and caucuses to ensure a victory in the main event.
 
A bigger and more focused buildup in defense spending would be a major result.

Senario - 9/11 happens - Powell focuses heavily on Al-Qaeda and Afghanistan and ignores Iraq. Bin Laden is captured and Powell is re-elected in a landlslide.

Senario - No 9/11 - but more sanctions and targeted strikes in Iraq. Powell also focuses on Iran and the Middle East conflict. Cries of women suffrage by the Taliban, more global Al-Qaeda attacks and international condemnation convice Powell to launch an all-out assault on Afghanistan and Bin Laden. Easily re-elected.
 
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