Good News first... Tammy Duckworth to the VA...calling Tammy Duckworth to the VA please... what a wonderful idea...
Duckworth nominated to VA post
Iraq war vet's duties would include programs for homeless veterans
WASHINGTON - Tammy Duckworth, the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs director, was nominated by President Barack Obama on Tuesday to serve as an assistant secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Duckworth was a helicopter pilot in Iraq who lost both her legs and partial use of one arm in a rocket-propelled grenade attack in 2004. She ran for Congress in 2006, but lost.
I think this is great... Tammy Duckworth is a wonderful advocate for Veterans... and anyone who has read much of what I write knows how close to my heart this is. She is a decorated and dedicated veteran of the Iraq War. She was in the Illinois National Guard.
Even though she was in disagreement with the Iraq war she still felt it was her duty to fulfill her job as an officer.
Duckworth was chosen by the Democratic Party to give the 30 September 2006 response to President Bush's weekly radio address. Her comments included the following:
"Instead of a plan or a strategy, we get shallow slogans like 'Mission Accomplished' and 'Stay the course,'...Those slogans are calculated to win an election. But they won't help us accomplish our mission in Iraq... I didn't cut and run, Mr. President. Like so many others, I proudly fought and sacrificed, my helicopter was shot down long after you proclaimed 'mission accomplished.'... We need a Congress that will ask the tough questions and work together for solutions rather than attacking the patriotism of those who disagree.... It is time to encourage Iraqi leaders to take control of their own country and make the tough choices that will stop the civil war and stabilize the country"
Now, for the Other Good News... Daschle is OUT!!! He called the Prez this morning and quit... I guess we could call him a QUITTER... but why.. it is what I wanted..and so did a lot of others. I just didn't feel right about him.
Daschle withdraws nomination for HHS job
WASHINGTON - Former Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle on Tuesday withdrew his nomination to oversee the Health and Human Services Department, just a few hours after another Obama nominee also withdrew.
Daschle has been battling for his nomination since it was disclosed he failed to pay more than $120,000 in taxes.
Daschle, in his statement, said he's withdrawing because he's not a leader who has the full faith of Congress and will be a distraction.
There isn't a lot of information as of yet... The Prez is upset and said he said he accepts it "with sadness and regret."
The Republicans are falling in line to say they are glad it happened, and of course the Dems are all saying they hate it.. except for the Joke.. why they put him on there I have no clue..but Andrea puts him on the phone to put in his 1/2 cent because its not worth any more than that.
Here is the statement from Tom Daschle:
"I have just informed the president that I am withdrawing my name from consideration for Secretary of Health and Human Services. To be chosen by President Obama to run the Department of Health and Human Services and to lead the reform of America's health care system is one of the signal honors of an improbable career."
"But if 30 years of exposure to the challenges inherent in our system has taught me anything, it has taught me that this work will require a leader who can operate with the full faith of Congress and the American people, and without distraction. Right now, I am not that leader, and will not be a distraction. The focus of Congress should be on the urgent business moving the President's economic agenda forward, including affordable health care for every American."
"We need the best care in America to be availabe to all Americans. We need this effort to succeed. Lives and livelihoods are at stake. I will not be the architect of America's health system reform, but I remain one of its most fervent supporters. Thank you."
Here is the statement from President Obama:
"This morning, Tom Daschle asked me to withdraw his nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services. I accept his decision with sadness and regret."
"Tom Daschle has devoted his life to public service and health care reform, so that every American has access to health care they can afford. I had hoped that he could bring this passion and expertise to bear to finally achieve that goal, which is so essential to the progress of our economy and the well-being of businesses and families across our nation.
"Tom made a mistake, which he has openly acknowledged. He has not excused it, nor do I. But that mistake, and this decision, cannot diminish the many contributions Tom has made to this country, from his years in the military to his decades of public service. Now we much move forward, with our plan to lift this economy and put people back to work."
No comments:
Post a Comment