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Originally published in The Hotline September 13, 2004 Monday

Sec/State Colin Powell, who "remains by far the most popular senior official" in the Bush admin., is "suddenly taking
on a more visible role as chief advocate" for Bush's foreignpolicy. After "staying away" from the GOP convo and making "no
appearances" on the Sunday shows through July and Aug., Powellwas on "three shows" on 9/12. On 9/9 he "appeared on three
network morning shows to defend" Bush's policies "after the U.S. death toll in Iraq reached 1,000." Ex-Clinton official Robert
Boorstin: "Every time they need to appeal to moderates or independents to make their foreign policy believable, they turn
to Colin Powell." Predictions persisted for months that Powell was "frustrated by intramural disputes" and wouldn't return for a possible 2nd Bush admin, but now some officials say he "may agree to remain at least a little while longer." Asked by the AP on 9/10 about a Bush comment saying "he would be glad to have Powell continue," Powell said: "I am pleased that he would say such a thing. But you now my standard answer: I serve at the pleasure" (Richter, Los Angeles Times, 9/11). Robert Novak writes in his Chicago Sun-Times column, "The question is whether" comments by the "associates" who say Powell
might stay "indicate's Powell's willingness to serve a second term or merely his desire not to be seen now as a lame duck"
(9/12).