THE ALMA FACTOR

Powell said that he was not worried about his safety if he decided to run. Alma Powell, whom a family member had said was firmly opposed to a campaign, said that her fears for the safety of her husband were not a factor: "Everybody has known that I had a concern, but I want you to know that played no part in his decision." Mark Thompson notes: "Fundamentally, the guy likes his privacy. His wife says that she wasn't a factor in the decision, but of course Powell took her concerns into account." Mrs. Powell also denied that the Rabin assassination played a part in the decision. "We had pretty much reached the decision not to run," General Powell said.