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Obama to Tap Shinseki for Veterans Affairs

Ex-general was fired for saying US had to increase troop levels

By the Associated Press

Posted Dec 6, 2008 4:57 PM CST

(AP) – Democratic officials say President-elect Barack Obama has selected retired Gen. Eric K. Shinseki to be the next Veterans Affairs secretary, the AP reports. Shinseki is the former Army chief of staff who upset his civilian bosses in 2003 when he testified to Congress that it might take several hundred thousand US troops to control Iraq after the US invasion. He was forced out of his job within months for being "wildly off the mark."

But his words proved prophetic after President Bush in early 2007 announced a "surge" of additional troops to Iraq after miscalculating. Officials said Obama will announce his selection tomorrow. They spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid pre-empting the official announcement.

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

Eric K. Shinseki, former Chief of Staff of the United States Army, attends a Senate hearing in Washington on February 25, 2003. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

In this Aug. 4, 2007 file photo, then Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., talks in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

President-elect Barack Obama speaks at a press conference at the Hilton Hotel December 03, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. (Getty Images)

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CNN looks at Shinseki's famous criticism of President Bush's strategy in Iraq. (YouTube)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 6 comments

Shannonals

Dec 8, 2008 12:29 AM CST

Corona_king has no knowledge whatsoever of military affairs, if he had, he would have known a Field grade Officer doesn't necessarily answer to civilians, no matter what GS grade they hold. It's not insubordination when your right. Sen. McCain stated we would be in and out of Iraq, no mess, no fuss. yet we are still there today. Gen. Shinseki made the right call.

wwwonderer

Dec 7, 2008 10:40 PM CST

Well said GeorgieM. The surge was not the ONLY reason Iraq has become more stable. That change can mostly be credited to Iraqis and there desire for change, as opposed to "coalition forces". Corona_king, the thing is Shinseki turned out to be right:"We know where the weapons are", "We're in the last throws", "We'll be greated as liberators"; those turned out to be not-so-right. So if Obama's lack of military background forced to make a bad choice, what about George W. Bush's military record? What about Dick Cheney's military record? Corona_king your name says a lot; you sound like the type who votes for a president you can drink a beer with. Go have a Corona or two with George W. Bush; I'm sure you're invited.

Zebraone

Dec 7, 2008 6:31 AM CST

Let's hope that we finally get a man in the VA who has seen the obscene wounded casulaties of war! May be one of O's better selections. USAF Retiree

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Obama to Tap Shinseki for Veterans Affairs