(MCT) — WASHINGTON — Retired Gen. Colin L. Powell defended Chuck Hagel’s nomination as Defense secretary Sunday and predicted he would be confirmed, even as a top Senate Republican questioned Hagel’s temperament.

Powell, former secretary of State to President George W. Bush and a respected member of the GOP, had voiced strong support for Hagel shortly after President Barack Obama named the former Nebraska senator to replace Leon E. Panetta. On Sunday, Powell called Hagel, a fellow Republican, “superbly qualified.”