states. him 15 points ahead of president clinton. 54 to 39. and bill clinton won his reelection a year later, in 1996, thanks more than anything else, to the fact that colin powell decided not to run. >> i had to look deep into my own soul, standing aside from the expectations and enthusiasm of others. ice i believe i have a bond of trust with the american people. i'd offer myself as a candidate for president requires a commitment and passion to run the race and succeed in the quest. the kind of passion and the kind of commitment that i felt every day of my 35 years as a soldier. a passion and commitment that despite my every effort, i do not yet have for political life. because such a life requires