The awkward moment came during a CNN town hall in Baltimore as the president was trying to sell his agenda.

The retired Army general was widely praised as a pathbreaker, having been the first black person to serve as U.S. secretary of state.

'When Powell announced that he would not run, I turned to President Clinton and said “Congratulations, you’ve just been re-elected.”'

'We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American,' his family said in announcing Powell's death.

'Do you believe your rank entitles you to talk such trash?'

'I'm very close to Joe Biden in a social matter and in a political matter. I've worked with him for 35, 40 years. And he is now the candidate and I will be voting for him.'

When Colin Powell needed a little help, a man who lost part of a leg in Afghanistan was there.