Colin Powell Backs Chuck Hagel: Superbly Qualified, Solid Guy

Push back to neo-con opposition

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell voiced strong support Sunday for former Sen. Chuck Hagel as the country's next defense secretary by saying he is "superbly qualified" but criticized his Republican Party, which has largely being critical of Hagel.

"Most of the national security community that I know—many secretaries of defense, ambassadors—think Hagel is a solid guy," Powell said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "He speaks his mind, is a good supporter of Israel, but he's not reluctant to disagree when appropriate … He'll do a great job."