DOLE GETS THE BOOST

Bob Dole was the main beneficiary of Colin Powell's decision to drop out of the presidential race, according to an ABC news poll. The survey of 800 Americans found Dole's support for the Republican nomination shot up 20 points to 54 percent after the Powell announcement, while all of the other GOP contenders still draw only single-digit support. "This just solidifies what Dole's people have been saying all along," says TIME's Michael Duffy, "that Powell's support came mainly from Dole supporters and now it has gone back to him. The real question now is whether Dole can hold this lead through the primaries."