General Colin Powell was nominated Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Thursday by President Bush . That's a rare talent in this town,'' He is expected to win easy Senate confirmation and make history as the first black and the youngest ever person to hold the post . Powell fits the mold of Bush 's national security advisers , like - minded pragmatists favoring consensus building rather than confrontation . He is very fair in presenting others viewpoints and fits a role where diplomacy and political finesse with Congress is as essential as his instincts . He was credited with helping the Reagan White House recover from the Iran- Contra Affair and with guiding preparations for summits with Gorbachev .
General Colin Powell was nominated Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Thursday by President Bush . He is expected to win easy Senate confirmation and make history as the first black and the youngest ever person to hold the post . Powell fits the mold of Bush 's national security advisers , like - minded pragmatists favoring consensus building rather than confrontation . He is very fair in presenting others viewpoints and fits a role where diplomacy and political finesse with Congress is as essential as his instincts . He was credited with helping the Reagan White House recover from the Iran- Contra Affair and with guiding preparations for summits with Gorbachev .