VP Powell? If Only We Knew What He's Up To

Canny old Cap Weinberger may have tipped the most secretivepolitical hand in modern history the other day - and on C-SPAN. Thecable company reporter was asking about Colin Powell: Would he runfor president as a Republican, Democrat or independent?

Weinberger, the former defense secretary who boosted Powell intothe public-policy big leagues, demurred, adding mildly that no onecan tell "with whom the general will affiliate."

"Affiliate"? That means a vice presidential linkup. If so,with whom? Weinberger's innuendo eluded the pretty-boy anchor, butcoming from the lips of a key operative who served Presidents RichardNixon and Ronald Reagan in vitally important posts, that would meanwhat a few have always suspected: Powell, one of the most popularnon-politicians in the country, will not run for president but forvice president . . . thereby to snatch the nation's second-highestoffice at a gulp, without examination.

Sen. Bob Dole, at this point, is heavily favored to win thenomination and is endangered only by speculation about his age andhealth (at 73 he would be the oldest U.S. president to be elected; oncompletion of his first term he would be 77). Who better as arunning mate than one who has faced impressive national securitytests: a four-star general, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs,holder of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Air Medal and Medal ofFreedom?

How's that for a running mate? Plus, Powell is an AfricanAmerican, which may at long last allow the GOP to crack the elusiveminority vote. But although Powell will ideally solve Dole'sproblems, if he continues with his reluctance to speak out on theissues, he could well become the first president about whom we knowvery little.

So the question for Republicans is: Given that Powell hasobviously determined to forgo the presidency by not speaking out ororganizing for the primaries, and given that he would logicallydeliver the presidency to almost any GOP nominee, is it right for theGOP to serve up someone who will not commit himself on key issues,given the likelihood of his succeeding to the presidency by death ofthe incumbent or primogeniture?

"It's not true that Colin Powell isn't making himself specificon the issues!" argued a friend of mine. "I just heard his speechand is he terrific! Calls 'em as he sees 'em. He's for the balancedbudget. How do you like that?"

Is Powell for the balanced budget amendment? Is he for thepresident's route to a balanced budget, which will take 10 years? Orthe Republicans' glide path, which will take seven years?

"He didn't say," my friend growled. "Why do you want to pinthis hero down on specifics?"

See what I mean? Maybe Weinberger knows what Powell thinks. Wedon't.

Thomas F. Roeser is a former fellow of the John F. KennedySchool of Government at Harvard University and founder of theRepublican Assembly of Illinois.