Fox pundit Bill O’Reilly appeared to offend former Secretary of State Colin Powell during a recent interview by only seeing him as “an African- American”.

On Tuesday night O’Reilly first described Powell as “a staunch Republican” before he voted for Barack Obama as President twice.

Powell explained that he did not agree with the economic policies put forward by Obama’s opposition candidates. He added, “In the last several years, I have been troubled by the right shift of the Republican party too far to the right.”

O’Reilly began, “Here's what perplexes me. President Obama's economic plan hasn't worked among African-Americans."

Powell responded with, "Why do you only see me as an African-American, Bill? That troubles me. I'm an American."

The right-wing Fox pundit defended his question noting that Powell had criticized the Republican party for their attitude to minorities.

Powell added that the economy has improved under Barack Obama but not enough.
O’Reilly added, “Not for African-Americans, not for minorities.”

Powell said economic situation of minorities would improve with the country's overall recovery.

Here’s the video of the interview featured on O’Reilly’s Fox show.