Max Cleland: Obama's Secretary Of Veterans Affairs?

Barack Obama is considering Max Cleland for two top posts, the Washington Times reports:

President-elect Barack Obama is considering former Sen. Max Cleland for a top position of either Secretary of Veterans Affairs or Secretary of the Army.

A source familiar with transition planning said Mr. Cleland, a Vietnam veteran and triple amputee, is under consideration for those positions in an Obama administration and liberal grassroots support is building for his selection.

The president-elect's transition team declined to comment, and the normally talkative Mr. Cleland would not respond to even a basic question from a reporter.

Comments

[Windbender]

I write here as someone who has actively worked at the grassroots level with Veterans, dating back to 1972; I wholeheatedly endorse Max Cleland for this cabinet post. One that is so important to all who have served, or will, in the future, serve America, in the armed forces.

Max is one of us. He is not a political opportunist, nor a lackey of anyone's doctrine or political party, nor is he running for any other office. He is a pragmatist who has been there, and who speaks the language of Veterans..­.he never, ever, abandons the troops when the incoming fire seems overwhelming, or when it is the politically expedient thing to do...in other words, Brothers and Sisters who have served; he has our backs! This, regardless of which war we may have served in, since WWII, The Big One...or which political party we support.

He is knowledgeable, articulate, charismatic, and mission oriented..­.and, yes, Jimmi Hendrix; he is experienced! I mean, he has already been there 'n done that, after all. As is referenced here in a posting that I found at www.VeteransForCommonSense.org, who is formally endorsing Max, and where-in I found this quote; "Max has the experience, he served as head of the VA under Jimmy Carter. He served as a US Senator. He knows veterans, he knows the issues, he knows the job ( see http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/articleid/11581)."

Semper Fi!
windbender
www.VetSpeak.org

[Tycorp1]

Max not only is a great leader he also surrounds himself with such. As the Administrator (now Secretary)of VA it was my pleasure and honor to work for and with him. I had the opportunity to travel with him as well and the individuals he met still speak of our visit to Vets. VA needs some Halls and Walls action NOW!!

Tammy Duckworth is a great lady but lacks experience to head VA-the second largest federal agency.

Ken Tyler

[berryessence]

MAX CLELAND WAS MY SENATOR AND I HAD THE HONOR TO SHAKE HIS HAND!

Also, when I was in physical therapy school in the Army.... I learned about amputee rehabilitation from his rehab medical records... HIS RECORDS WAS OUR CASE STUDY.

THIS GUY IS AWESOME!

[grata2ude]

WOW, Obama is hitting on all cylanders with his picks. Excellent choice.

[Madmac]

Sen. Cleland would be a perfect choice for either position.

[bluedawg]

Great choice!

[JessicaMKE]

This would be a great pick. We've got to do something about our treatment of veterans in this country, and choosing Cleland would send a strong message that Obama's ready to make that happen.

[L3ftofC3nter]

Cleland would be an AWESOME choice. So would Duckworth. He has some good contenders for this position.

[ChicagoSuz]

How 'bout Max for Secy of Army & Tammy for Secy of VA? & JJ, Jr. for Senator...

[theone718]

Great minds think alike. That is exactly how I see this one going.

[SeanGardner]

Awesome move.

It was said that Veteran's Affairs may go to Tammy Duckworth. But I think that because he's done it before, Cleland would be a great choice. And, because Duckworth is a resident of Illinois and a compelling personality, she is the most practical choice to take over Obama's U.S. Senate Seat.

Max Cleland makes sense.

[Beamreach]

I agree about Cleland. I think I'd rather see Jesse Jackson Jr in Obama's seat and Duckworth in JJ's seat though.

[elcojonu]

Super outstanding choice !!!
A warrior as Secretary of Vet affairs !; What a concept !

[kannita]

Excellent choice!! He was the first person I thought of. Especially after what that lowlife Chambliss did!!

[L3ftofC3nter]

Tell me about it. I'm working my tail off right now to make sure Saxby does not make it back to Washington.

[OdaNobunaga]

That makes you an American hero.

[ManUnitdFan]

How could you not support that choice? Who would work harder to better the lives of America's veterans? And who could possibly deserve it more after all he's been through?

[The Patriot]

This would be a great move.

Let the penny pinchers and evil doers who have failed so spectacularly in keeping up our veterans hospitals make their excuses for failure to a triple-amputee who actually served in war.

I'd pay to watch that interview.­..