Irag and Afghanistan Veterans React to Appointment of Dr. James Peake to Head Department of Veterans Affairs
VoteVets.org
PUBLISHED: October 30, 2007
The largest political group of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans today released the following statement on the nomination of Dr. James Peake to be the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Jon Soltz, an Iraq war veteran, and Chairman of VoteVets.org said:
"The most pressing question here is, will Dr. Peake be a leader, or will be he be a follower? This administration has been nothing but hostile to veterans care and funding for key veterans programs. Will Dr. Peake stand up for Veterans and challenge this President, or will he just go along to get along?
"With Dr. Peake, we get more questions rather than answers. As the person in charge of much of the Army health care system, Dr. Peake has to answer for the failures in providing proper care to troops. What role did he play in those failures, and is his willing to step up and accept some responsibility? What has he learned from that experience, that will help the VA, rather than repeat past mistakes?
"With the veterans population exploding, we cannot afford to put someone with the slightest bit of incompetence, or carelessness, at the top of the VA. Dr. Peake should be given a fair shot to be heard. But, at the same time, it is Congress' duty to fully and aggressively scrutinize him and his record."
Paid for VoteVets Political Action Committee. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. VoteVets Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) organization which primarily focuses on nonpartisan education and advocacy on behalf veterans and their families. VoteVets Political Action Committee is a federal political committee which primarily helps elect Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran candidates and educates about veterans and military issues aimed at influencing the outcome of the next election.