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

[TekBoss]

Vote VETS! Excellent idea. I hope Obama considers it.

[tds1273]

Wonderful woman; wonderful American.

This is perhaps the easiest decision Obama will have to make.

[nclayla]

She would certainly ge a great pickl. Her speech at the Democratic Conventin was truly memorable. But I also trust O to make great selections all the way around - he hasn't made too many mistakes so far now, has he?

[roshni]

excellent choice - what a great pool of talent fo Obama to choose from!

[HerbTee]

Just a few days ago during posts on a thread concerning Barack's Senate seat replacement, there were many bloggers who suggested that Major Tammy Duckworth would be a good replacement for Barack as a US Senator. However, I disagreed, but certainly not because Tammy's lacking in intelligence, education and resolve. But she has never been elected to any political office yet, although she came close during a run for Congress years ago.

I strongly felt that Tammy would be much more influential as in the Obama Cabinet as the new Director of the VA! I am happy to see that others see this and agree with me too.

[obamaistheman]

Inspiring person. I saw her televised speech at the DNC, and was impressed by her story.

[Neophyte]

I bet the VFW wished they'd backed bid for Congress when they had the chance.

[Laryssa]

Hells Yea!!!! We here in Chicago (and Illinois) LOVE TAMMY DUCKWORTH!!!!! what a great vets day it would be for her to get teh appointment :D

[GolfingDevil05]

Could there be a better choice?

[TXCourtney]

Oh, hell yes!!!!

She has been one of my heroes ever since I saw her interviewed on CSPAN last year. She would make a great advocate for our veterans!!

http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info&products_id=280404-5

[rockyb26]

thanks for the link. this is one tough woman. she would be a great role model for all women, but especially female veterans who are often overlooked.

[4everdem]

Thank you for this link. Very informative.

[TotobiAyokoh23]

According to Bob Marley, who he/she feels it, knows it. This lady is fit for the job.

[larry278]

This is a very good idea. It gives women & Iraq-Afghanistan veterans the recognition which they have repeatedly earned. It also presses Democrats to give Max Cleland, former Secretary of VA & US Senator-from GA. recognition for taking 1 for the party in the loss of his elective office to a self styled neo-con; Mr Cleland is a loyal, team player. The Democratic Party would enhance its reputation if it appointed Mr Cleland to a position which allowed him to use all of his abilities fully. This man is more than a leader; if Mr Cleland attempts anything he becomes the epitome & raises the state of the art in any endevor. The Democratic Party owes Max Cleland big time, much more than big time.
Ms Duckworth, if she wants the job, could rebuild the VA into a responsive agency again.

[Jenababy]

Considering Tammy Duckworth's first hand experiences with the VA, her insight would prove to be quite valuable. I think she is the type of person we need to oversee it's management. Her understanding of how to adapt ones life, in order to cope with an injury, would make her a wonderful advocate for the veterans of our country. She would respect our veterans, with honor and dignity. She epitomizes what can be accomplished, even when handicapped, with her perseverance and bravery. She knows whats needed in order to help the veterans, better than anyone else. I think she would be a welcome addition to President Obamas administration.

[Hemkit]

Tammy Duckworth should be considered for the VA Secretary job based on her qualifications, not on her disability. After visting the following site, http://www.veterans.illinois.gov/AboutDVA/director.htm, I think she's a capable person for the post. However, if the media doesn't elaborate on her actual qualifications, then it becomes like McCain. He was a POW, therefore, he's qualified to the POTUS. Same goes for Ms. Duckworth. Being an amputee doesn't make you qualified, but give you better perspective and understanding. Her accomplishments before and after her service is what makes her qualified. Can we focus on that?

[TXCourtney]

Please check out her qualifications before you jump to any conclusions.

[Intelligentia]

Thank you! Here we go again! We need to check the qualifications of everyone for every position, before we start pushing them based on popularity contest. I, too, I'm a veteran; and, I, too, will "like" her to be the VA Secretary. However, the question must be asked: Is she the most qualified. Losing two legs, although very unfortunate, does not qualify anyone to be the VA Secretary; just like spending five years in a prison camp did not qualify John McCain to be President. Prior to her injuries, what position did she hold? Assuming she did not lose her legs in a war, would she be qualified to be VA Secretary? If the answer is yes, then, I behind her 100%. If the answer is no, then I am against the idea 100%.

[RobertAndropolis]

Yes we can and should focus on that. Go to her Wikipedia page and you will read a long and impressive biography of the most exceptional Major Duckworth. You are right to point out that she is most closely identified with having overcome her injuries (it seems an insult to call them disabilites). for example, until today I didn't know:

The Duckworth family moved to Hawaii when she was 16. In 1985, she graduated with honors from McKinley High School after skipping the ninth grade. She attended the University of Hawaii, graduating in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, and later received a Master of Arts in international affairs from George Washington University.[7]

Duckworth was working towards a Ph.D. in political science at Northern Illinois University with research interests in the political economy and public health in southeast Asia when she deployed to Iraq. She was also working as a staff supervisor at Rotary International headquarters in Evanston, Illinois.[8][9]

-- from Wikipedia

Now that's qualified.

[djcchicago]

Tammy Duckworth is rumored to be Gov. Blago's choice to replace Obama in the Senate. Obama is rumored to favor Valerie Jarret.

Interesting. If he appoints her to the VA before the governor appoints a senate successor, I'll say Ms. Jarret will be the next senator.

[GAPeach99]

Nah! Duckworth should be VA Secretary (Go Tammy!). Obama wants Jarret in the White House - probably Sr. Staff.

[patrickmurfin]

Duckworth at the VA would help un-break the log jam of who will get Obama’s Senate seat. Blagojevich considers appointing her to be head of the state veteran’s agency one of the few feathers in his battered hat.

The trouble is that Blagojevich is a loose cannon on a sinking ship. No one knows if he will follow advice from Obama, Senator Durbin or other party leader. No one knows if he cares a fig if his appointment can win re-election in two years. No one knows if he will use the appointment to settle old grudges against Speaker of the House (and Illinois Democratic Party Chair) Mike Madigan or as a ploy to remove a powerful rival from the field. Some folks think he might appoint Madigan’s daughter, the very popular Attorney General, Lisa Madigan to the seat just to remove her as a likely challenger for governor. But that’s Machiavellian, even for Blagojevich. A desperate governor—he’s likely to be indicted in the spreading Tony Rezco scandal and has a popular approval rating of just 13%--might just fire his cannon straight down through the keel and appoint his only real ally, retiring Senate Majority Leader Emile Jones.

I am sure Duckworth’s friends and allies including Emmanuel, Axelrod, Durbin, and Obama himself will take all of this into consideration. It might be safer to encourage the governor to appoint her to the Senate seat than to allow him to try and blow up the Illinois Democratic Party.

[JDJase]

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