If we had developed a farm team, it would’ve been easier, otherwise we have to go out to the private sector to get someone, and that could be hit or miss not knowing how’d they perform in a political capacity. Witness a certain fella in New Orleans who was a Republican who ran as a Dem out of convenience and was doing quite well until a natural disaster struck... Holding a prior office at least gives us an opportunity to see how they might turn out.
As for Colin Powell, had he run in ‘96, he probably could’ve beaten Bubba... but he would’ve been a RINO fiasco constantly pissing off Conservatives (and he likely would’ve lost us Congress in ‘98). And we can guess who would’ve beaten him in 2000...
Gore? Gray Davis? ;o
I’m sure bubba would have loved to pull a Grover Cleveland. Whether the rats would have wanted him though is doubtful.