President-Elect (wow, doesn’t that sound great!!!) Barack Obama repeatedly – including during his victory speech Tuesday night – has stated that he wants to include everyone, Republicans and independents as well as Democrats, in his movement and program to restore our country to health and prosperity. I have a good idea for one way he can reach out "across the aisle": nominate Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Many people – including Kossack McScruffy in a diary entry last week – have suggested that Obama select a Republican, retiring Nebraska senator Chuck Hagel, for the post of Secretary of Defense. However, Meteor Blades has made a strong argument against selecting a Republican as defense secretary, demonstrating that Democratic presidents have often chosen Republicans while the reverse has not been the case. Meteor Blades pointed out that such actions have contributed to the Democrats' ceding expertise and confidence in national security to the Republicans in the minds of the American public.
I agree with Meteor Blades' reasoning. At the same time, I think that President-Elect Obama is wise to reach out to Republicans with whom he shares the same philosophy in certain areas. Therefore, I suggest that Obama tap Senator Hagel as his Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The Bush administration has had a horrible record in this area, leading even to the resignation of Bush's original secretary. Hagel would be a perfect choice for this position. He is a Vietnam War veteran who has been willing to criticize the Bush administration for its lack of support for both active duty military and veterans. Hagel has strongly supported veterans' benefits, e.g., working with Jim Webb on the new G.I. Bill of Rights. His breaking party ranks on issues concerning the military and veterans shows real support for the troops, as opposed to McCain’s support for Bush and the war (e.g., voting against the G.I. Bill because he wanted to use veterans’ benefits as a way to force servicemen and women to remain on active duty). I think that Hagel would be great for this position, while a Democrat could be selected as Secretary of Defense. (P.S.: If Obama wants a Democrat for Veterans Affairs, I think that John Kerry would be a perfect choice. Jim Webb would also be great, of course, but has indicated that he wants to stay in the Senate.)