Colin Powell: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 09:41, 26 April 2007

Revision as of 15:25, 26 April 2007

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[[Image:RicePowellBushRumsfeld.jpg|thumb|300px|Powell, National Security Advisor [[Condoleezza Rice]] and former Secretary of Defense [[Donald Rumsfeld]] listen to President [[George W. Bush]] speak.]]

As [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] in the Bush administration, Powell was perceived as moderate. Powell's great asset was his tremendous popularity among the American people. However, overOver the course of his tenure he traveled less than any other U.S. Secretary of State in 30 years.

After [[September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11]], Powell's job became of critical importance in managing America's relationships with foreign countries in order to secure a stable coalition in the [[War on Terrorism]].

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</ref> Powell also stated that there was "no doubt in my mind" that Saddam was working to obtain key components to produce nuclear weapons.

While Powell's oratorical skills and personal conviction were acknowledged, there was an overall rejection of the evidence Powell offered that the regime of Saddam Hussein possessed [[weapons of mass destruction]] (WMDs). A Senate report on intelligence failures would later detail the intense debate that went on behind the scenes on what to include in Powell's speech. State Department analysts had found dozens of factual problems in drafts of the speech. Some of the claims were taken out, but others were left in<!--, such as claims based on the [[yellowcake forgery]]-->.<ref>

{{cite news

| last = Miller

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</ref>

In September 2005, Powell was asked about the speech during an interview with [[Barbara Walters]] and responded that it was a "blot" on his record. He went on to say, "itIt will always be a part of my record. It was painful. It's painful now."<ref>

{{cite news

| title = Colin Powell on Iraq, Race, and Hurricane Relief

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Because Powell is seen as more moderate than most figures in the administration, he has been spared many of the attacks that have been leveled at more controversial advocates of the invasion, such as [[Donald Rumsfeld]] and [[Paul Wolfowitz]]. At times, infighting between the Powell-led State Department, the Rumsfeld-led Defense Department, and Vice President [[Dick Cheney]]'s office had the effect of paralyzing the administration on crucial issues, such as what actions to take regarding Iran and North Korea.

[[Image:Jaap de Hoop Scheffer.jpg|thumb|left|Secretary Powell with NATO Secretary General [[Jaap de Hoop Scheffer]].]]