During an appearance on Meet the Press, Colin Powell offered an endorsement of President Obama’s nomination of Chuck Hagel for defense secretary. Powell called Hagel a “very, very distinguished public service record” and said that he would do a “great job” as defense secretary. Many Republicans have attacked Hagel for being too soft on Iran and not supportive enough of Israel. But Powell said, “This is a gentleman who knows all of these issues in depth. He is a fellow who speaks his mind … he says what he believes and sticks with it.”
