"General Powell is an American hero, an American example, and a great American story," George W. Bush said as he announced Powell's nomination as secretary of state in 2000. For many Americans, he was the public face of the 1991 Gulf War against Iraq. - Liberal Republican -Powell freely admitted his liberal social views made him a strange bedfellow for many Republicans, though the party was often happy to hold him up as an example of its inclusivity. Colin Powell, a liberal Republican, endorsed several Democrats for president after retiring from public life JIM WATSON AFP/File"I'm still a Republican. Powell earned a number of civilian honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- twice from Bush Senior and Clinton.
