Remember Colin Powell?

He who once the most respected man in the country… before that little thing call the Iraq War kind of knocked him off his pedestal?

Well, Powell is back and he is doing a little knocking this time.

On Sunday, former secretary of State l appeared on NBC’s meet the press where he discussed defense secretary nominee Chuck Hagel, foreign policy and the questionable actions of some of the members of his own party.  

Though Powell voted for President Obama in the past two elections he still considers himself to be a Republican.

 In his interview he echoed the sentiments of many in the months since the Republicans lost the election saying,

“The country is changing demographically and if the Republican party does not change along with that demographic, they are going to be in trouble.” 

Powell also boldly and rightfully called out members of his party for racism and their repeated devaluing of minorities.

He brought up the instance, when an unnamed former governor (hello Sarah Palin)  said that the President is “shucking and jiving” ( a slave term).

He also went on to say that the Republican Party is suffering from a “dark vein of intolerance.”

Finally, he asked the question,

“Why do senior Republican leaders tolerate this kind of discussion within the party?” 

When it came to discussing former Senator Chuck Hagel, Powell was a little more conciliatory.

Powell believes Hagel, who is currently a professor at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University,

“Knows what war is and will fight a war if it’s necessary, but he’s a guy who will do it with great deliberation and care.” 

Seems like when it comes to a fight Colin Powell is not afraid to have one with other Republicans. Do you blame him?

Watch the full interview with Colin Powell here.