Bush Picks Powell as Secretary of State

Dec. 16, 2000 -- In his first Cabinet appointment, President-elect George W. Bush named retired Gen. Colin Powell as secretary of state today as he begins laying the groundwork for the administration.

“Gen. Powell is an American hero, an American example and a great American story,” Bush said from an elementary school in Crawford, Texas.

He praised Powell for his long service in the Army, which included a stint as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

During the announcement ceremony, Powell talked about a number of global issues that would confronthim as secretary of state adding that the new administration, Powell said, “We are up to the task.”

Regarding the Mideast, Powell said he would monitor any peace talks during the waning days of the Clinton administration. “It isabsolutely a given that under a Bush administration, America willremain very engaged in the Middle East.”

Led During Gulf War

Powell, who as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff oversawthe U.S. military during the Gulf War, said Iraq had not lived upto the obligations of the 1991 truce, which called for Baghdad toaccount for any weapons of mass destruction it possessed and armstechnologies programs.

“They have not yet fulfilled those agreements and my judgment is that sanctions in some form must be kept in placeuntil they do so,” Powell said. “We will work with our allies tore-energize the sanctions regime.”

Powell showed a lighter side when he jokingly thanked Bush for not holding the ceremony at the Texas governor’s nearby ranch.

“I’m from the South Bronx,” Powell said, “and I don’t carewhat you say, those cows look dangerous.”

Powell, 63, is certain to be a popular choice, given that he isone of the most admired figures in the Republican Party anddemonstrates Bush’s avowed intent to assemble a diverseCabinet.

Political General

While his public personna was the tough talking military leader, Powell was known as one of the most political generals in history — meaning that he know how to use the system to get what he wanted.

That skill, coupled with Bush’s untested knowledge of foreign affairs, could mean tremendous power for Powell.

“Because of the force of his personality, and because of his experience, I think he will be the dominant voice on international issues in a new administration,” says Anthony Lake, a former national security advisor under President Clinton.

Highest-Ranking African American

If he is confirmed by the Senate, Powell will be the first black secretary of state and the highest-ranking African American of any administration.

His nomination to the post is seen as an effort to reach out to minorities who have felt disenfranchised as a result of the election battle.

“They will say that Colin Powell is first African-American to ever hold the position of secretary of state. And I’m glad they will say that,” Powell said. “I want it repeated because I hope it will give inspiration to young African-Americans coming along that no matter where you began in this society, with hard work and with dedication and with the opportunities that are presented by this society, there are no limitations upon you.”

Campaign adviser Condoleeza Rice, who is also African American, could be named as national security adviser on Sunday along with other top aides.

Given Bush’s contested victory on Nov. 7 and the protractedpost-election legal battle with Democrat Al Gore for the WhiteHouse, the time for assembling an administration, a White Housestaff and a Cabinet before he is sworn in on Jan. 20 has beencut in half.

Like other Cabinet posts, Powell will have to be confirmed inthe U.S. Senate. It is evenly split between Democrats andRepublicans, but he is expected to get bipartisan support.

Olive Branch or Sucker Punch?

As he zeros in on key appointees, Bush met with a leading Senate Democrat on Friday afternoon, signaling his desire to make good on his campaign promise of bipartisanship. Bush says he plans to ask Democrats to serve in his administration and Sen. John Breaux’s name had been floated as a possible energy secretary, but the Louisiana Democrat told Bush Friday he plans to remain in the Senate.

“One of the things the senator made clear to me is he wants to stay in the Senate … to work to get something done,” Bush said after emerging from the hourlong lunch. “I’m really honored to have his commitment to work with me.”

If Breaux had accepted an offer to join Bush’s Cabinet, it could have injured the Democrats’ legislative ambitions. Louisiana Gov. M.J. Foster would no doubt have appointed a fellow Republican to replace Breaux, turning the delicate 50-50 split in the Senate into a GOP majority.

“[It] looks like an olive branch to the Democrats,” ABCNEWS political analyst George Stephanopoulos said of the offer. “It’s really a sucker punch.”

As Bush publicly reaches across the partisan divide, many well-known conservatives are publicly urging him to turn to the right where, they say, his true friends are.

Bauer urged Bush to appoint a “pro-life” attorney general and immediately repeal a number of executive orders issued by President Clinton. “Jesse Jackson, [Rep.] Barney Frank and [Sen.] Ted Kennedy will never support him no matter what he does,” Bauer argued.

‘Dubya’ Is Comin’ to Town

Bush said on Friday he can’t wait to get to Washington and begin the work of governing.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am about getting to Washington — about how enthused I am,” he said. “I’m so grateful and humbled by the opportunity.”

As the president-elect prepares to navigate a veritable political minefield, his troops are moving into the presidential transition offices in downtown Washington. Vice President-elect Dick Cheney, who is heading up the Bush camp’s transition effort, accepted the keys to the facility from the General Service Administration on Thursday.

Bush plans to head to the nation’s capital Monday to hold talks with Republican and Democratic congressional leaders. The following day, he is set to meet separately with Vice President Al Gore and President Clinton.

As for Bush’s legislative agenda, aides say Bush’s top two priorities will be education and prescription drugs.

ABCNEWS’ Sam Donaldson and Martha Raddatz, ABC Radio’s Ann Compton and Bettina Gregory, Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.