Shinseki to head Vets Affairs

Posted: Saturday, December 06, 2008 6:18 PM by Carrie Dann

In an exclusive interview to air Sunday on "Meet the Press," President-elect Barack Obama announces that he plans to appoint Gen. Eric Shinseki as his Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Shinseki, a former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, was the first Hawaii native and the first Asian-American to earn the rank of four-star General. He served in the army's highest leadership post from 1999 to 2003. Prior to that appointment, he served as Commander of a NATO-led peace force in Bosnia-Herzegovina and as the U.S. Army's commander in Europe.

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Comments

President-Elect Obama is redeeming General Shinseki's honor. Congrats to the General, it pays to tell the truth!

Janet McMichael (Sent Saturday, December 06, 2008 6:42 PM)

What a wonderful appointment. Go Barack!!You are going to be one of the best presidents ever.

Sode (Sent Saturday, December 06, 2008 6:45 PM)

It's all about change.

Beverly in Chicago (Sent Saturday, December 06, 2008 6:55 PM)

Another great cabinet pick. Nice to have an administration of intelligent, adult, problem- solvers, for a change. A real contrast to the last administration, which fired Gen. Shinseki, when he "spoke truth to power."

B. Bear (Sent Saturday, December 06, 2008 7:25 PM)

Good luck, General. Our veterans have earned a budget that covers their needs. I hope you can get it.

Sharon, rural New Mexico (Sent Saturday, December 06, 2008 8:01 PM)

Is he a Vet?

Free American Tehachapi Ca. (Sent Saturday, December 06, 2008 8:30 PM)

And Rumsfeld AND the Bush Admin mocked him for NOT lying to congress by saying that stabilizing Iraq would take hundreds of thousands of troops boots on the ground. They forced him into early retirement and he was RIGHT. Rumsfeld was wrong wrong wrong.

Nicely played President Elect Obama

Gerry, Barrington, Il (Sent Saturday, December 06, 2008 9:48 PM)

A man of honor !-about time!!!

C .Smith ,Brooklyn,N.Y. (Sent Saturday, December 06, 2008 10:13 PM)

Gen Shinseki is a great choice for the VA position. I served under him as a division commander and he is an awesome commander. As the Secretary of Veterans Affairs he will know what it like to make sure our vets get premium care as he himself is a wounded warrior from Vietnam. He is a true warrior and will know how to make sure our wounded warriors get the proper care they require.

Mr Obama good choice sir. Hooha!!!

1st-CAV (Sent Saturday, December 06, 2008 10:56 PM)

I wonder if there is a more subtle message to this appointment, as indicated by what Obama had to say about why he appointed General Shinseki. He mentioned that he was one of the guys who (like himself, imo) got it right with regards to predicting what would happen in Iraq. Could this be a stepping-stone for Shinseki to Defense Secretary? You have to wonder, I think. Shinseki's biggest detractors were Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz, icon's of the most dysfunctional era of Bush 43's DoD. The way I imgine it is, sure, Obama keeps Gates on for transition, but then hands the reigns over (in, say, a year or so) to one of the most insightful and forward-thinking generals ever to come through the Army's ranks. It would be brilliant.

Jerry, Boulder, CO (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 12:52 AM)

Yay for diversity! I just wake up every day and congratulate myself on my good luck again that we have Obama/Biden and not the unmitigated nightmarish disaster that would have been McCain/Palin.

Emily, MI (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 1:07 AM)

Another inspired choice. Way to multitask this pick: something for vets, for pre-war truth crusaders, a truly healing moment for Japanese-Americans and an affirmation that loyalty is not measured by the color of one's skin or family ancestry. The Pearl Harbor Day symbolism is moving and inspiring. What a great transition. Can't wait for Jan. 20.

Lil Ol Lady from Pasadena (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 2:50 AM)

The diversity in this administration is amazing. I was so upset watching the RNC. I am a white woman, lived through the Watts Riots many years ago. Believe me, we have come so far from those days. Having an African American Pres is testament to that. I always felt Condy Rice was Bush's token for the administration, and Powell also. I see so many good things that can and will come out of the Obama administration. YES WE DID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

cindy, Las Vegas, Nv (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 6:51 AM)

Excellent! Gen Shinseki is a fine man who was treated shabbily by the Bush Administration. This is a man who was wounded twice in Viet Nam, a former Army Chief of Staff, Commander of the Army in Europe and so forth. He once said to be a great leader, you must love those you lead. He will be a great Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Liz, NY (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 8:40 AM)

Please. Shenseki was not right. I love how Obama and Brokaw stroked each other on Meet the Press this morning about how Shenseki was right about needing more troops in our initial entry into Iraq. Rumsfeld was right and if you watched Gates confirmation, he made it clear he agreed with Rumsfeld on every major decision made. If we had sent in the numbers Shenseki wanted, more would have died. We sent in more troops when we needed to. Iraq is the best fought war in history. Study some history. Look at a map. We've sandwiched Iran and transformed our future. Iraq WOULD have gone better if dems hadn't boosted the spirits of our enemies, repeatedly, and all for political reasons.

Glenda Webb, Seattle, WA (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 10:15 AM)

With no disrespect for Senator McCain I think his handling of veteran affairs was dismal. Please tell us you will look hard at the lack of support from the veteran’s administration and someone needs to finally understand that troops rotating home need a downtime with counseling before going home

Richard taylor Reno Nevada (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 11:18 AM)

Someone who speaks truth to power. Let's hope everyone he picks will do that. So far, mostly pretty good.

waukone (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 11:28 AM)

Bob, Lyons Oregon (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 11:29 AM)

Everyone that disagreed with Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Perle, Adelman, Feith, Cheney and any other moron at Defense was ran rough shod through the press and humiliated, made to be unpatriotic and 'not withthe program'. How the mighty have fallen.

It's good to see Shinseki, after his vindication in history, at the helm of Veteran's Affairs. That last guy Nicholdon was a political hack, that even though a veteran himself, lost sight of what he was doing and instead became a lockstep flunkie for the Bush administration in its derelict treatment of vets.

As a retired Vet, ex-VFW member, and dependent spouse of an active duty member, it's good to see a real veteran in charge.

Doc, Va (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 12:29 PM)

I think this is a good move, he was right about us needing more troops in Iraq and was fired for making that assertion. Good for him, and a good move for vets overall.

Clinton Henry, New York, NY (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 2:58 PM)

For Glenda in Seattle:On what do you base your statement that Shinseki was not right? Because from what I have read and heard -many officers and enlisted men and women believe that he was right them and is right now. I think they would know better than you - no? Are you saying they are all wrong? Gen Shinseki is considered a hero by many men and women who served and are serving in Iraq because of his position. I would think that those who have actually been there and those who have spent, in many cases, their adult lives serving this country, would have a better idea of what is required re: the number of troops than a civilian. Are you in the Army? Or any branch of the service? Just wondering.

Liz, NY (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 3:37 PM)

I SO ENJOY EVERY THING THAT PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA DOES AND SAYS' I AM A SURPORTER AS I WAS FOR THE 20 YEARS OBAMA AND FAMILY HAVE LIVE HERE IN CHICAGO . AS A AA THE WHOLE COMMIUNITY WISHES HIM WELL. GOD BLESS HIM AND MICHELLE . WE AS A COUNTRY ARE SO BLESSED .

SANDRA (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 4:23 PM)

Delighted that David Gregory will be the new permanent moderator on MTP! Shocked that Bob from Oregon is NOT happy. My view is opposite his (that Keith O or Chris M would have been better). While I'm a big fan of both Chris & Keith, they are famed partisans and pundits, NOT impartial reporters, as Gregory is. He's perfect!! His unbiased style makes him the ideal moderator/interviewer for an informational political show which insists the viewer form his own opinion. Kudos to MSNBC for using their very talented staff in their best capacity!

p.s However, I wish MSNBC would get rid of its split 'weekend' personality; the 'prisoners, perverts, predators' series is a gross turn-off to those of us who wake up during the week to MSNBC politics with Morning Joe, lunch with Andrea Mitchell, David Shuster,1600 Pa Ave., etc., then spend evenings with Chris, Keith and Rachel. What a bummer the weekends are! Devoid of political analysis in favor of slumming with the 'dark side' of our world which delights me NOT. Seems that MSNBC must think we're a very schizophrenetic audience if we follow this drastic programming switch. I have to channel 'surf' through CNN, CSPAN, and CNBC (dear Suze) until SNL.

Pat Mohl, Gulf Shores, AL (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 5:46 PM)

Chuck Todd would have been a much wiser choice for "Meet the Press", he has such class and such a fresh view of the issues at hand!

Cheryl Oppat, Lincoln, NE (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 6:14 PM)

Wow, diversity, Asian American, great general and one that was right to boot. What a pick. Great job Obama and team.

eagle1776 (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 7:36 PM)

Knew and had several business meetings with him when he was commander of 2nd Bgd., 3rd ID. I considered him the most honorable and intellegent military officer I have ever encountered. Kudo's to Obama. While not "on-board" with Obama before, this appointment puts me squarely on his side now.

Steven D Lambert, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 7:57 PM)

Well, since there is no where to post it, I thought I would post it in here. I think David Gregory for Moderator of Meet the Press, is a bad pic, I know Today will be the last time I watch meet the press. He is nothing like Tim Russert, and I do not care for his style or bias. I have tried to watch him on his program of 1600, and don't like his style or bias leaning toward republicans. There is just something about him I do not care for, and I will not be watching MTP after today. I didn't like it when they took Keith and Chris out as moderators of the election shows, and put gregory in. BAD CHOICE
Bob, Lyons

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You think Gregory "leans towards Republicans"? ROFL!

This is how biased people on the left are. Unless every newsie, commentator, or talking head on NBC has drunk the Barack Obama Kool-Aide, then people like Bob here believe that person to be "leaning to the right". Unbelievable!!

Jim Jones, Kool-aide Drinker (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 8:21 PM)

Yay for diversity!

Emily, MI

Agreed. Thats all we need now is a lesbian in at Sos, and we're set! Oh, wait, already done!

I Love Hill (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 8:24 PM)

YES WE DID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cindy, Las Vegas, Nv

So, what did you do?

Endless Drivel (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 8:25 PM)

He was the only one willing to stand up and tell Rumsfeld that he didn't know how to run the Iraq War...anyone else notice how much better things are going there now that Rumsfeld is gone? Bush was an idiot to not get rid of him a lot sooner.

G. Smith, Clovis, CA (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 11:25 PM)

Glenda, get out of the kool-aid!

K Rock Island, IL (Sent Monday, December 08, 2008 12:08 AM)

David Gregory is the end of MTP for me. He is a not qualified. What a disrespect to Tim. NBC got wrong. Why can't you pic Andrea.

Oluwole (Sent Monday, December 08, 2008 2:12 AM)

You all must be psychotic, as this is NOT the attitude of the professional military. General Shinseki carried no weight with officers at the point of the spear that I know of.

IF Shinseki had so much support, how come NONE of his staff officers resigned with him? During his last two years as army COS, how did 6 officers resign or ask for transfers to other postings? Shinseki has always been a political officer, and it was clear he was going off the deep end.

Col. Anthony (Sent Monday, December 08, 2008 2:29 AM)

Great choice for me as a veteran. He's not politically driven and will stick up for the veterans regardless of what he is told. We will have a strong voice that will not be given a script and expected to be an actor.

Will H., MI (Sent Monday, December 08, 2008 7:38 AM)

Shenseki was not right...Rumsfeld was right...Iraq is the best fought war in history...Iraq WOULD have gone better if dems hadn't boosted the spirits of our enemies, repeatedly, and all for political reasons.
Glenda Webb, Seattle, WA (Sent Sunday, December 07, 2008 10:15 AM)
==========
WOW! Talk about someone drinking the Kool-Aid. Are you even talking about the same war, or is this some parallel universe you're posting from?

43 Days Until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Monday, December 08, 2008 9:05 AM)

Great choice of General Shinseki- finally someone who really knows about Veteran's Affairs. PE Obama is picking the "best and the brightest" and it shows.

minka from missouri (Sent Monday, December 08, 2008 9:39 AM)

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