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Subscribe to RSSFormer Secretary of State Colin Powell said on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday that President Barack Obama’s nominee to be defense secretary, former Sen. Chuck Hagel, was “superbly qualified” and would be a strong advocate for Americans in uniform.
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell visits Meet the Press to discuss the nomination of Chuck Hagel to become defense secretary, the administration's policies in Afghanistan and the evolution of the Republican Party.
“This is a guy who would be very careful about putting their lives at risk because he put his life at risk,” Powell told NBC’s David Gregory.
Hagel, who was seriously wounded while serving as an Army infantryman in Vietnam, was a Republican senator from Nebraska from 1997 to 2009.
Related: Israel avoids public spat with Obama over Chuck Hagel defense nomination
“He knows what war is and he will fight a war if it’s necessary, but he’s a guy who will do it with great deliberation and care,” Powell said.
Like Hagel, Powell served in Vietnam. He later was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff before serving as secretary of state under George W. Bush. He endorsed Obama’s candidacy in 2008 and in last year’s campaign.
Even before Obama announced the Hagel nomination last week, it came under fire. The Washington Post editorial page opposed him for not supporting economic sanctions against Iran.
Powell said Hagel does not rule out the use of military force against Iran. “I think what Chuck Hagel has said is that nothing is ever off the table. But he is one who believes in the prospects for negotiation.”
Some supporters of Israel have chided Hagel for saying “the Jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people up here (on Capitol Hill).”
Powell said, “Chuck should have said ‘Israeli lobby,’ not ‘Jewish lobby.’ Perhaps he needs to write on a blackboard a hundred times, ‘It is the Israeli lobby.’”
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell and Sen. John McCain make strong statements, Sunday, regarding the nomination of Chuck Hagel as U.S. secretary of defense. NBC's Peter Alexander reports.
Powell said Hagel is “a very, very strong supporter of the state of Israel” but “that doesn’t mean you have to agree with every single position that the Israeli government takes.”
If Hagel is confirmed by the Senate, part of his job will be to scale back the $630 billion Pentagon budget. As for Hagel’s comment that the military is “bloated,” Powell said if there are unnecessary parts of the military, then “I hope he does find bloat – and gets rid of it.”
As a senator, Hagel voted for the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, but later was harshly critical of Bush’s conduct of the operation. In 2007 Hagel said “before this (Iraq intervention) is over, you might see calls for his impeachment."
Hagel also opposed Bush’s Iraq surge strategy in 2007, calling it "the most dangerous foreign-policy blunder in this country since Vietnam.”
But Powell on Sunday firmly defended Bush’s 2003 decision to order the invasion of Iraq and his own role as secretary of state in advocating for that invasion.
Bush in 2003 “had more than sufficient basis to believe that there were weapons of mass destruction that were a danger to the world… and so he undertook a military action. I think that was the correct thing to do,” Powell said.
But he added, “We did not execute the operation well,” since the fall of Baghdad in 2003 “was just the beginning” of a prolonged peacekeeping operation.
Despite his support for Obama, Powell said, “I’m still a Republican,” but he delivered a prolonged criticism of the Republican Party, rebuking the hawks in the party. “They’ve lost two elections. The American people have made it clear that they are not particularly interested in finding new conflicts to get into.”
“I think what the Republican Party needs to do now is to take a very hard look at itself” and at the attitude of some Republicans toward ethnic minorities, he said, accusing unnamed Republicans of “intolerance” and “(looking) down at minorities.”
Powell criticized – although did not identify by name -- former New Hampshire governor John Sununu, who served as chief of staff for President George H. W Bush and as an aide to 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romney, for calling Obama “lazy” after his first debate performance and 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin for using the phrase “shuck and jive” in criticizing Obama’s explanation of the administration’s response to attack on the U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi.
Since Obama nominated Hagel last week to succeed Leon Panetta as defense secretary, the administration has been trying to bolster support for the nomination in the face of criticism from Senate Republicans such as Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, both members of the Armed Services Committee which will conduct Hagel’s confirmation hearing later this month.
In comments on another Sunday morning program, another Republican on the Armed Services Committee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, said on CBS’s “Face the Nation” that “I honor Chuck Hagel’s service” and “he’s a friend,” but questioned “whether he really believes that the surge was the worst blunder since the Vietnam War. That clearly is not correct – in fact, it’s bizarre.”
He also criticized Hagel for not supporting a move to label the Iranian Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization. McCain said he wasn’t announcing how he’d vote on the nomination but wanted to hear Hagel’s responses to questions during his confirmation hearing.
Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., also a member of the Armed Services Committee, said on Fox News Sunday "it perplexes me why the president nominated Sen. Hagel."
She said some statements from the Iranian government “that were favorable to his nomination. In fact, they said they were hopeful that with his nomination, they hoped that we would change our policies. What I want to make sure is that Iran is actually not hopeful, but they're fearful” of the secretary of defense because “that will cause them to stop marching toward acquiring a nuclear weapon."
Taking a noncommittal stance on Hagel’s nomination is a leading Senate Democrat, Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, who on Meet the Press on Dec. 23 passed up the chance to support him.
Last week, Schumer told WHEC, the NBC affiliate in Rochester, N.Y., that “before I make any determination, it is only fair to sit down and talk with him and ask him some very serious questions about his views on Iran, on the Middle East, on the military in general.”
But in the end it’s highly unlikely that Schumer, a member of the Senate Democratic leadership, would embarrass Obama by opposing Hagel.
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Hey Powell,when you are going to be a man and face-off you hypocritical "Republican"face and declare that you are Democrat-Socialist........
Queue the Looney Tunes melody.
For this administration, the tune to the three stooges is more appropriate.
Isn't Colon the same idiot who said our current Comrade WAS qualified????? What a nobody...
Is that you Sarah?
Probably Al "jazeerah" Gore. Funny how his selling his media station "current" to the arabs also has not been coverred by mainstream media
Actually, the story HAS been covered in the mainstream media...keep up will ya.
who gives a @!$%# what this loser thinks lifetime republican but votes and backs obama until next election then back to republican and thats not racism
Powell is a typical government "yes" man. Says he's republican, behaves as a democrat, solid yes man lieing through his teeth. What can you expect from internationalists?
"Powell for President"
No, he would have been a good man for the job, except for the way he let Bush use him. As for the GOP, they need to stop playing politics, meaning, holding the country and President hostage so they can get what they want. They keep playing games and nothing is accomplished.
Powell is the whitest black man in politics. He's also a longtime republican, or is he a democrate? Wait, what exactly is he? No one, including Colin Powell knows for sure so why should we care what he thinks.
Because he's smarter than anyone at Dumb Fux news.
BigBadBob, just had to bash FOX, didn't you? You're just another idiot that doesn't have a clue. Try using that sixth grade education for something other that working at McDonalds.
Sure roll out your closet democrat.
I don't get it, dark vein of intolerance? You only have to watch less than an hour of MSNBC to view a dark vein of intolerance.
I listen to these democrat loons rant and rave and rail against anyone that has an opposing opinion from theirs. They sit in front of a camera. Judge, Trial and Jury telling us just how despicable and awful conservatives are.
It's on full display every minute of every day. These people on the fringe are not your dads' democrat party. They are self proclaimed Socialists and they revel in it.
Queue the Looney Tunes melody.
When are you "party line" people going to learn that we must do what is best for the nation, not strictly and blindly follow the elephant or donkey. Bravo to Colin Powell, too bad he didn't decide to run for the presidency.
The educated folks respect someone that can see all sides of an issue and make and informed decision.
The right wing tea nuts are CLEARLY not educated folks!
Figures, He is a Turncoat!
OMG. americans are SICK of israel- its over for the charade that was/ is the jewish israelis bully lobbies. reading every message board from USA media/papers. ITS ALL OVER FOR THAT NEOCONE ZIONIST RACIST SICKO MACHINE. THANk you AMericans. it took a while- but i can say i am proud to be AMerican again.
Powell certainly sounds like a racist to me. He certainly does not belong in the Republican party.
The tacit message he was giving, I think, was that people like Rummy, who never saw conflict, and a president and vice president who did everything in their power to avoid serving in combat, should not be the ones deciding if we go to war or not. We've been there, and the result was a manufactured war (Iraq, not Afganistan) we had no business in, that cost thousands of American lives, 100,000's of other lives (many innocent men, women and children), trillions of dollars, and international political capital.
Hagel will make a very excellent Defense Secretary . This man speaks his mind when things doesnt seem right, he has character, vision and good judgement
I have one thing to say,"A continuation of mediocrity in the Obama administration".
In sharp contrast to Bush's I guess? Few would even qualify them as mediocre.
If you only had one thing to say, why waste it on such drivel?
In sharp contrast to Bush's I guess? Few would even qualify them as mediocre.
Go gettem Colin ! The republican party seems to be falling apart more and more every day.
The GOP-TP inflighting will soon get it's own WWE spin off, with cage matches!
"If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck."
Sarah Palin IS a moron? You betcha!
Sorry to burst your bubble, but I was referring to Powell.
This hate of Hagel probably started when he was the first well respected republican that came out and said Palin was a really bad choice for VP. And what really galls the GOP is that he was 100% correct!
I like Powell. Too bad the Republican Party isn't head by more guys like him. The Party either likes idiots or takes good guys (Romney and McCain were both reasonable guys) and turns them into idiots. At this stage, until the census of 2020, I pretty much see the Republicans controlling the House with no chance of gaining the Senate or the White House. Divided government will hurt the country rather than help it. In a world moving forward when you are standing still, you are actually falling behind.
The GOP used to consist of a number of moderates, but the loony tunes in the GOP started calling them RINOs and kicked the moderates out of their quickly shrinking tent!
paraphrasing: It's too bad more conservatives aren't liberals.
It's too bad more conservatives aren't realists. They'd get more done including winning the White House.
You'd get more moderate liberals in government if the right moved to the center. The fringes encourage more of the fringe element. And yes, Powell should run as a Democrat, if he had not been tarred with Iraq. He made a lot of sense on MTP today. In fact, both Obama and Powell make Nixon look like a down and out leftie. (BTW, I am a left of center Democrat/Progressive but believe a sane Right would make my party a better one.
Amazing how losers support each other but then look at the regulars that are always on these sights!
Colin Powell is a loser? wow, lets have a look at your resume, Pigskin. It must be incredible for you to have the gall to call a US Army General and SOS a loser! Just what have you done with your life? My guess is not much, even less in the future, but I could be wrong.
By the way, how would you know who the "regulars" are that are always on these sites (not sights, idiot), hmm, you would have to be on these sites a lot yourself. At least you can practice self deprecation (look it up while your looking up the difference between site and sight).
Is this the same Colin Powell who supported Barack Obama for president?
Yes, and was GW Bush's SoS too! He is what is called a "moderate", and not an extreme nut job LIKE MUCH OF TODAY'S gop! The guy puts his country above screw party ideals!
Oh you mean like extreme nut jobs LIKE MUCH OF TODAY'S DNC!
The Grand Old Party is DONE!!!!!!!!
Is that good? Do you support a one-party system; rendering elections meaningless?
Or maybe the GOP needs to get real!!!!!
MJ. The GOP seems intent on committing "suicide by stupidity". Talk to them!
There are other parties, M.J. We have elections first, and then parties are formed within that system. Major parties have come and gone before, although admittedly it has been awhile. More likely, we will keep the same party names, but the coalitions within them will change. Coalitions have always changed to keep some sort of electoral balance. It is inherent in the system.
Who want's a big tent? I wouldn't want someone that doesn't support the platform working against it and calling themselves a 'Republican'. Imagine a devout communist calling himself a Republican if you catch my drift.
Most of the Republican party is chalk full of Rhino's if you hadn't noticed. No, not moderates- Those that pose as one thing but are completely the other. Arlen Specter comes to mind. These guys don't support anything but themselves. Nothing as grandiose as America or representing anyone else.
Your saying we should have more Arlen Specters?
...but then, so is the country.
jock59801
Thank you for a reasonable response. We do have "other" parties, but the two existing parties have made other viable party options difficult. More parties would be be healthy for our nation, but the political inertia is all about two parties.
My initial comment was to promote thought about the status of not only the two-party system we own, but also the new political strategy which promises a majority of voters the benefits of government while not addressing the responsibility of the cost of government on the ever narrowing shoulders of contributors.
I don't think we will ever have more than two major parties under the current election system. In the parliamentary system majority coalitions can be formed after an election. In our system it seems to have to happen before. Part of the problem is the winner-take-all culture. We would have to at least have something like an "instant runoff" vote if we were ever to have significant support for a third party. The current system forces the formation of two approximately equal coalitions, whatever the makeup or name of those coalitions might be.
Compromise to the Obama crowd has taken on a new meaning and should now be interpreted to stand for the proposition that when the right does not "entirely" or "without qualification" agree with Obama's position on a given issue then they (the right) is, yet again, failing to compromise.
When a cabinet position is up for consideration, a pool of possible choices to fill that position develops. All the politicos involved in that decision know well in advance of all the possible choices that may be nominated by the president. Obviously, the chatter starts as the issue ripens and the time for nomination draws near thus the more controversial picks come into focus. The problem with this president is that he then figures out which is the most controversial nominee, from the perspective of the right, and then picks that nominee to start, yet again, another big partisan fight. Many times in many speeches, Obama continually uses terms like "compromise", "shared sacrifice", "fair share", "bipartisanship" but it is all talk. Obama got the right to, go first, and agree to tax hikes on a small segment of the population after a constant campaign to shame them for their success but now that it is his turn to compromise, share some sacrifice, kick in his fair share by making, as nearly all people would agree, some entitlement reform, he won't do it because he is a liar and a cheat.
You watch, he'll keep beating the drum about saving the middle class while he has already raised taxes on them in more ways than one and they do not yet realize what he has done to them. I cringe when I hear his BS speech where he talks about representing "all" Americans but he never talks about anyone but the middle class, that doesn't sound like all Americans to me not to mention he hates anyone that is right of center and does not feel any obligation to represent those Americans. With most Americans (mainly the libs) simple talk works well and no action follows while most conservative people, by nature, are less talk and more action oriented. In the minds of many, just saying something makes it so and Obama knows that. The base he is dealing with have the mental capacity and level of wisdom of teenagers, they pay little or no taxes and, therefore, are not invested in the US but feel entitled to take resources they did not produce as merely by voting, they have a stake in the country. It is astonishing how little it takes to manipulate and buy off the public for their votes.
Essentially, Obama sets up his battles by deliberately nominating the most controversial so he can pose the right as being completely unreasonable, obstructionist, and the problem in this country without regard for the opinions and feeling of about half the electorate. This scoundrel is anything but a leader and the day he and his cadre of lying, cheating, hypocritical serpents leaves DC, will be a great day for America.
WJ: A few points are very good, that you make. It started off on the wrong foot with Obama, ACORN, vote rigging, and other stuff. He failed to realize that he now had obligations to the American People, and we were incorrect in not giving him respect as President, right or wrong. It also went to extreme political party siding on everyone's part and this is seen with Jon Huntsman placing America First, in serving as ambassador, then the GOP refused to back him because Obama was President, despite the fact that Huntsman made the most sense and was the most viable GOP candidate in the Primaries. FDR had the same problems getting everyone behind his efforts. If Obama shut his mouth and did his job as President, people would more than likely move towards the center, but you cannot make a silk purse from a sow's ear, he has Zero Leadership Qualities. It's not only Obama, it's all the professional politicians. Now, Mr.Boner (Boehner) sold out, along with the rest of the GOP, and it only leaves the Conservative Party, as spearhead. Next election, I will not waste my vote - if I vote - it will be: TICKLE & TIM 2016 "Everybody gets a sip." ;) At least they're honest.
PK -
While I respect the office of President, the man holding that office at the present time has done absolutely nothing to earn the respect that you seem to feel is his due.
Respect is earned, not granted, and until Obama shows that he respects the taxpayers of this country he will never earn the respect of the taxpayers of this country.
I have my own opinions on most topics. I am not a fan of the socialist liberal path of Obama but he is the President and that must be respected. Hagel will be good at any job he undertakes. Schumer needs to tone things down a notch or two as Israel continues to uphold the Miscegenation Laws banning Israeli (Jewish)/Palestinian (Islamic) marriages or social dating. Bet you didn't know that one. It's a human rights violation. As a Democracy, yes, Israel is the key to the region as was first raised by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and remains so. Now, Iran, lunatic inspiration for leadership, but they must say the same of the US leadership. Hurting the Iranians is not something to be pondered as their nation can do as they please because we would be undermining their national sovereign right to govern their own nation. Flip side of the coin, more GI blood, greater US debt to get mixed up in what is rightfully a United Nations affair, should they choose involvement. I am disappointed that Colin Powell did not run for President, and he makes valid points. If America wants a really good African-American as President, Powell, or former Lt.Col. Allen West (R-Fl.), would be the way to go. Both are great leaders. West, went the extra mile for his men, and I would certainly be honored if he were President, of me, a White person. It's because he Earned my respect. Obama probably chose Hagel because he knows what his second term will be up against, and Schumer wants Hagel to jump through socialist liberal hoops to show that he has control of the Jewish vote in America. Schumer always was an eel.
Do you KNOW what a socialist is, or is it just a word you like to abuse? Dang. Do you need a dictionary?
I used to be a democrat and now I used to be a republican.
They have become all the same to me. Just boring...they only care about themselves.
i don't know sen hagel appently some of you do. i do know he's said some dumb things and that makes him less than the best qualified. in the end it's the presidents choice subject to senate confirmation. it's obvious hagel will not match the sec of defense the president inherited from pres bush or sec gates replacement sec panetta.