Former Secretary of State Colin Powell praised the late President George H.W. Bush, saying he was the “most qualified” person to serve as president when it came to foreign policy.
“Everything he thought of, everything he did in public life was always directed to helping the American people,” Powell told ABC’s “This Week” during an interview Sunday. “He was a patriot. He demonstrated that in war. He demonstrated that in peace. He was the most qualified person, with respect to foreign policy, ever to serve as president of the United States of America, and he was able to demonstrate that for the four years of his service.”
Bush died Friday at 94. He was a World War II veteran who went on to serve as a congressman, diplomat, director of the CIA, and vice president before becoming the 41st president.
Powell, who served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Bush, described him as a “perfect president” who will be “seen as one of the best ones.”
“I thought he was a perfect American in terms of how he served the country in so many different capacities,” he said.
[Related: George H.W. Bush to be buried in socks honoring ‘lifetime of service’]
