SUNDAY EDITORIAL FROM THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 
RAN 9-24 

Colin Powell ought to quit playing the tease and announce his 
presidential intentions. 
   On the one hand, he says he doesn't have the "passion" -- at least not
yet -- for presidential politics. On the other, he pontificates about
political matters while saying he'll make up his mind in November on
whether to become a presidential candidate. 
   Meanwhile, the retired general of Persian Gulf war fame, is the latest
well-paid government pensioner peddling his memoirs in the hopes of
reaping big bucks. He[SO]s got a $6 million advance from his publisher to
make good on, and Americans are lining up to buy his book, get a smile and
an autograph. 
   From this display of celebrity worship, Powell is supposed to make up
his mind on whether the electorate would warm up to his candidacy. 
   Is this a marketing ploy or a genuine taking of the pulse of America? 
   For the moment, Powell has derailed the campaigns of announced GOP
candidates, silenced Ross Perot, dimmed Jessie Jack- son's appeal and
potentially reordered President Clinton's tactical plans for re-election. 
   But that's only based on speculation as to whether Powell will enter
the primary races and seek the presidency
   Surely, a general who portrays himself as a leader, a skillful planner
of military campaigns and a survivor of insider Washington politics, ought
to know by now what his plans are. Pollsters could get a reading of the
public's regard for a Powell candidacy faster than his city-hopping book
tour is giving him. 
   Perhaps he hopes to produce an Eisenhower-type victory -- stick to the
political middle and get nominated late in the game by popular acclaim. 
   American voters have grown too sophisticated to repeat that scenario.
They want [NL] to examine positions, to see how well a candidate stands up
to the heat of a campaign before they install anyone as president. 
   Powell's cautious cat-and-mouse game does nothing to enhance his image
as a forceful person. It's time for Powell to plunge into the political
turmoil or walk away from it.
   It would be decisive act compared to his current timid posture of
keeping one toe in the water while holding a finger to the wind to find
out which the American mood is swinging. 
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The Telegraph               The daily newspaper for Nashua and
P.O. Box 1008               Southern New Hampshire since 1832.
Nashua, NH 03061            (603) 882-2741     Newsroom fax: (603) 882-2681
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