| General Colin Luther Powell KCB MSC | |
| |
| 43rd President of the United States | |
| In office: January 21, 2001 -January 21, 2009 | |
| Vice President: | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by: | Bill Clinton |
| Succeeded by: | George W. Bush |
| 12th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff | |
| In office: October 1, 1989 – September 30, 1993 | |
| President: | George H. W. Bush Bill Clinton |
| Deputy: | Robert T. Herres (1989) David E. Jeremiah (1989-1993) |
| Preceded by: | William J. Crowe |
| Succeded by: | David E. Jeremiah |
| 16th National Security Advisor | |
| In office: November 23, 1987 – January 20, 1989 | |
| President: | Ronald Reagan |
| Deputy: | John Negroponte |
| Preceded by: | Frank Carlucci |
| Succeded by: | Brent Scowcroft |
| Biography | |
| Born: | April 5, 1937 (age 71) New York City, New York, U.S.A. |
| Nationality: | American |
| Political party: | Republican |
| Spouse: | Alma Vivian Johnson Powell |
| Alma mater: | City College of New York George Washington University |
| Occupation: | Soldier, Statesman |
| Religion: | Episcopalian |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance: | United States of America |
| Service/branch: | United States Army |
| Years of service: | 1958 – 1993 |
| Rank: |  General
|
| Unit: | 3rd Armored Division 23rd Infantry Division |
| Commands: | Forces Command |
| Battles/wars: | Vietnam War Invasion of Panama Gulf War |
| Awards: | Defense DSM (4) Army DSM (2) Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Soldier's Medal Bronze Star Purple Heart |
In the 2000 election, George W. Bush remained the front runner up until Powell's decision to run. Up until he showed up, Democrats expected an easy victory. The general election turned out narrow, but Powell and Bush (now Vice President) managed a victory.