Colin Powell on Sunday praised former President George H.W. Bush as a "perfect American" and a "perfect president."
Powell, who served as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Bush, highlighted the 41st president's service to the country as a diplomat, a congressman, as vice president and as CIA director.
"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," Powell said on ABC's "This Week."
Colin Powell remembers George H.W. Bush: "A life of quality. A life of honor. A life of honesty...Everything he thought of, everything he did in public life was always directed to helping the American people." https://t.co/ML2iF5cXuQ pic.twitter.com/FAW0u3scJ8
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) December 2, 2018
Bush died on Friday at his home in Houston. He was 94.
Powell also hailed Bush for his humility and his kindness.
"I thought he was a perfect American in terms of how he served the country in so many different capacities," Powell said on ABC's "This Week."
"I think he was a perfect president," he added. "Now, he didn’t win a second time, but that was a subject of another discussion, not the guy. He will be seen as one of the best ones."
Colin Powell calls George H.W. Bush a "perfect American."
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) December 2, 2018
"He was a perfect president...He will be seen as one of the best ones." https://t.co/607czKl7XK #ThisWeek pic.twitter.com/yyufWwbu8C
Bush will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda from late Monday through Wednesday morning. President Trump
Donald John TrumpNASA exec leading moon mission quits weeks after appointment The Hill's Morning Report — After contentious week, Trump heads for Japan Frustration boils over with Senate's 'legislative graveyard' MORE declared a national day of mourning for Wednesday, when a service will be held for Bush at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
