Former two-term Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Hugh Shelton today endorsed Hillary Clinton for President. This endorsement, one of 28 retired flag officers that have endorsed Hillary Clinton, clearly demonstrates that Senator Clinton has the confidence of many of the Pentagon's former top brass to be the next Commander in Chief. Active duty military personnel are forbidden from engaging in political activity and from extending political endorsements.
In announcing his endorsement, General Shelton said, "I’ve been with Senator Clinton when she has been with our military men and women. I know from those experiences that she understands the demands and sacrifice of military life. I am confident she will always put the readiness and well being of our troops first. She is ready to be Commander-in-Chief."
General Shelton joins General John Shalikashvili as the second former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to have endorsed Senator Clinton. General Shelton is the fourth flag officer to endorse Senator Clinton this week.
Hillary issued this statement in response to General Shelton's endorsement:
"I am so proud to have the endorsement of General Shelton. He has spent his career commanding our country’s elite military units. He commanded at the highest level of our nation’s armed forces, while always remaining dedicated to the effectiveness of their combat capabilities and the well-being of their families."
Many will know General Shelton from his role as an advisor to John Edwards during his campaign for the democratic presidential nomination in 2004. Some might also remember this:
Shelton created a minor controversy for 2004 Democratic presidential candidate Wesley Clark, a subordinate to Shelton during the 1999 Kosovo military actions, when he stated: "I will tell you the reason [Clark] came out of Europe early had to do with integrity and character issues, things that are very near and dear to my heart. […] I'll just say Wes won't get my vote," casting doubt upon the presidential contender's legitimacy.
But now General Shelton and General Wesley Clark have put their differences aside and have joined forces in endorsing Hillary Clinton. Here is a list of the other flag officers joining them in their endorsement:
Flag Officers Endorsing Hillary Clinton for President and Commander-in-Chief
General Wesley Clark
General John M. Shalikashvili
General Henry Hugh Shelton
General Johnnie E. Wilson
Admiral William Owens
Lt. Gen. Joe Ballard
Lt. Gen. Robert Gard
Lt. Gen. Claudia J. Kennedy
Lt. Gen. Donald L. Kerrick
Lt. Gen. Frederick E. Vollrath
Vice Admiral Joseph A. Sestak
Major General Roger R. Blunt
Major General George A. Buskirk, Jr.
Major General Edward L. Correa, Jr.
Major General Paul D. Eaton
Major General Paul D. Monroe, Jr.
Major General Antonio M. Taguba
Rear Admiral Connie Mariano
Rear Admiral Alan M. Steinman
Rear Admiral David Stone
Brigadier General Michael Dunn
Brigadier General Belisario Flores
Brigadier General Evelyn "Pat" Foote
Brigadier General Keith H. Kerr
Brigadier General Virgil A. Richard
Brigadier General Preston Taylor
Brigadier General John M. Watkins, Jr.
Brigadier General Jack Yeager