Tammy Duckworth Being Pushed For Veterans Affairs Secretary

A grassroots effort is underway for Barack Obama to appoint Tammy Duckworth, a veteran of the Iraq War and onetime congressional candidate, as Secretary of Veterans' Affairs in his incoming administration.

Democratic-leaning veterans groups are pushing the appointment among activists and reporters, even launching a petition drive to get Duckworth into the administration.

"If Tammy was offered the Secretary of the VA, she'd excel at it," said Jon Soltz, the head of the veterans group VoteVets.org and one of the leading advocates for a Duckworth appointment. "She uniquely understands the issues facing not just older generations of veterans, but our newest veterans as well."

Indeed, Duckworth would be well situated to take on the post. Not just because she has served in Iraq (where she lost both her legs) and currently heads the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, but also because she has strong ties to Obama's inner circle.

During her unsuccessful 2006 run for Congress, Duckworth employed many of the individuals who played prominently roles on the Democratic presidential campaign. David Axelrod, Obama's chief strategist, was an adviser to Duckworth. Rahm Emanuel, Obama's incoming chief of staff, was one the loudest voices encouraging Duckworth to run. (Emanuel was, at the time, head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee). Sen. Dick Durbin, one of Obama's closest colleagues in the Senate, encouraged Duckworth's entry into the congressional race. And Jon Carson, Obama's National Field Director, actually ran Duckworth's campaign. Duckworth was even given a speaking slot on Wednesday night of the Democratic convention.

All this, of course, is insider wheeling-and-dealing. Duckworth brings qualifications to the post that extend well beyond the personal and political connections. And she could very well earn the appointment on these merits alone.

"You think about probably the best head of the VA we've ever had, and that was Max Cleland, who came home wounded from Vietnam, and was deeply involved in the veterans system in Georgia, then brought that experience to Washington," said Soltz. "Tammy is similar to Max in many respects, and I think what she brings to the table is too valuable to leave out in Illinois."

Comments

[nycveteran]

01:02 AM on 11/14/2008

VoteVets states that: “it’s important to bring America's great veterans into his (Obama’s) administration. One way he can do that is to name Max Cleland and Tammy Duckworth to roles in his administration.” The problem is that they don't say what role she (or Mr. Cleland) should be in? (Wink, Wink)

Other than VA Secretary, do veterans in the state of Illinois believe that Ms. Duckworth will be in a better position to help them if she goes to Washington after only two years on the job as State Director? I would tend to believe that she would be in an even better position to help Illinois state veterans now that she will have friends and allies in the upcoming Obama administration.

Regardless of the fact that Ms. Duckworth is on the board at VoteVets, do I believe Ms. Duckworth can do a good job as VA Secretary? Yes. Do I believe she is qualified for the position of VA Secretary? I don’t know and it’s not my call to make anyway. What I do know is two things: One – like the President-elect stated during the campaign, we need change (at the VA) and two; Veterans want leadership and it’s the President-elect and his Transition Teams’ call to select the next VA Secretary.

[ChicagoSuz]

07:07 AM on 11/13/2008

Tammy rocks!! She gets my vote...

[ENOS]

05:45 PM on 11/12/2008

Wow.. watching the video of Obama and Duckworth laying out the wreath sent me into instant tear mode.

It's hard to explain the mix of emotions.

[swift goat pet for truth]

10:25 AM on 11/12/2008

Tammy Duckworth caught my attention when I saw her story when she first ran for Congress.
She has continued to grow her experience in such a positive way.

And yes, I believe her experience as a wounded warrior, being the head of the Illinois VA, her smarts and her commitment qualifies her for a top role on a national level at the VA.

I was pleased to sign the petition, and to donate to VoteVets.

[jeanrenoir]

11:42 AM on 11/12/2008

Duckworth is such a political slam dunk--and with WOMEN, too, obviously--that it's hard to believe Obama would have some weird blind spot that would keep him from doing such an obviously popular thing as to appoint her. The picture of him embracing her at Soldiers' Field yesterday was the most moving Memorial Day image I've ever seen, and I'm 65. Duckworth personifies the spirit of sheer patriotic DECENCY which pervades Obama and his family.

[LittlePinky82]

03:58 PM on 11/12/2008

I think her own battle experiences and her political experience in Illinois with VA affairs would be good. I would be for her or Chuck Hagel.

[Swatantra]

10:13 AM on 11/12/2008

You need to read about her http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tammy_Duckworth
and then you will have the knowledge to make your comments relevant.

[mikeant50]

07:49 AM on 11/12/2008

Let Obama pick his own Cabinet. I can't believe this. If he can put together a camapaign team that excelled as it did, then I'm sure he can put together a cabinet to run this nation. He should seat a cabinet that will move this country forward, not a cabinet to satisfy interest groups.

[negotiatethis]

10:11 AM on 11/12/2008

Well said.

[ReddzVoice]

11:32 AM on 11/12/2008

BINGO!

Peace and love...

[schatsie]

06:53 AM on 11/12/2008

I want Max Cleland for now, he has clearly demonstrated his progressivity and party loyalty.... Give Duckworth a few more years.... i read recently that she supported the war and it is time for us to get out of a religious civil war (just like Great Britain had to get out of Ireland before the protestants and catholics made their peace)

[kid5rivers2]

05:20 AM on 11/12/2008

But! But! But! she's a community organizer!

Oops! My bad! Just got up from Rip-van-Winkle land! Didn't realize that BHO had won!! My bad!

[papapj]

07:58 PM on 11/12/2008

HAHAHAHA!

[suhud]

04:02 AM on 11/12/2008

Awe-inspiring! Think of how she would touch the (much neglected) spirits of our brave soldiers and vets. Wonderful, wonderful candidate.

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

04:01 AM on 11/12/2008

As long as she is competent I'm all for her doing something big in the Obama administration or as IL Senator. I think Obama really needs to get out of the way of picking his replacement. No outgoing person should ever pick their replacement. A rule based on much experience.

[rockyrococoAZ]

01:21 AM on 11/12/2008

This veteran thinks that Maj. Tammy Duckworth would be an EXCELLENT choice for VA secretary... as would also Max Cleland.

[Buddhabman]

01:19 AM on 11/12/2008

I saw an interview of Ms. Duckworth on Charlie Rose or Tavis Smiley. I was so impressed, what a remarkable lady, classy, empathetic, tough, smart, hardworking, all the traits that are needed to be a good Veterans Affairs Secretary.

[ggmome]

12:00 AM on 11/12/2008

Logically, Ms Duckworth would be the best candidate for this appointment. Nothing like having a person who was a Service Person in the Military, and one who suffered the consequences of a war to better understand and contend with Veteran's Affairs.

Where is the petition...I will sign it.

[VOTER]

12:40 AM on 11/12/2008

The link to VoteVets.org is included in the article.

"a petition drive"

[harriettubman]

10:29 PM on 11/11/2008

That's what we need, someone with experience of the soldiers. Not someone who can't manage his way out of a paper bag. The VA is a tangled bunch of red tape.

[Hawka]

10:26 PM on 11/11/2008

She's got a good chance, she and Obama put the wreath together at the memorial in Chicago so I'd imagine the topic likely came up between them since they made a public showing like that.