Colin Powell and his wife have emphatically denied reports that the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin factored into his decision not to seek the Republican presidential nomination.
“By the time of that tragedy, which saddened my entire family because we knew the Rabins well, we pretty much had reached this point in our decision process,” said Powell, the retired chairman of the joint chiefs of staff.
After months of speculation surrounding his political intentions, Powell announced at a news conference Wednesday that he was not seeking the Republican presidential nomination.
At numerous times during Powell’s flirtation with running for the nomination, Alma Powell expressed concern for her husband’s safety, fearing that a racist would try to kill him.
The Rabin assassination highlighted the danger public figures face, “but I want you to know that it certainly played no part in his decision,” Alma Powell told reporters at the news conference.
“It’s certainly something we ought to consider about the feeling that exists in the world against leaders and people who are trying to accomplish something in the face of peace,” she said.
Ironically, there was little security at the news conference where Powell announced his decision not to run.
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