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UPDATE: LATEST NEWS ON NICHOLSON RESIGNATION
AND MORE REACTION -- Nicholson now says he
will not run for U.S. Senate in Colorado.
Soon-to-be former VA Secretary Jim
Nicholson
Background on the Nicholson resignation with
backlinks here...
http://vawatchdog.org/07/nf07/
nfJUL07/nf071807-1.htm
We have a news story from Colorado, Nicholson's
home state, that sheds more like on the soon-to-be former Secretary's
plans.
But first, some more reaction.
Under the heading of "If you can't say anything
nice, don't say anything at all," we have a statement from the American
Legion. The terse nature of this statement tells you exactly what
they think of Nicholson. Statement: "The American Legion wishes
VA Secretary Jim Nicholson well in his future endeavors. We thank him
for his service both as a U.S. Army veteran and for his leadership as
head of the nation's largest health care system. We look forward to
working with his successor on continuing to improve health benefits and
services to America's veterans." Statement posted here...
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/
show/news_press_release,140862.shtml
And, from the American Federation of Government
Employees (AFGE). From the statement: "Our members in the VA
provide care for more than 5.8 million veterans, it is critical that we
take this opportunity to accent our strengths and address the system's
critical failures of chronic budget shortfalls, inadequate resources,
and staffing shortages. We believe this is an opportunity for
significant change." Full statement here...
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/
show/news_press_release,140887.shtml
And, a story from the Denver Post tells
us more about Nicholson's plans for the future.
Story here...
http://www.
denverpost.com/ci_6395445
Story below:
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Senate run not in Nicholson's future
By Anne C. Mulkern
Denver Post Staff Writer
Washington - Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson is not returning
to Colorado to run for the state's open U.S. Senate, he said today,
hours after announcing his resignation from the Bush administration.
Nicholson's decision to leave the Cabinet post set off questions about
whether he'd jump into the contest for the seat Republican Sen. Wayne
Allard is vacating.
Nicholson, 69, said today that he received many calls this year about
possibly entering the Senate race.
"I looked at it and considered it briefly and decided not to run,"
Nicholson said.
A former home developer who transformed Parker into a burgeoning Denver
suburb, Nicholson came to the VA on Feb. 1, 2005. He said he will leave
the agency no later than Oct. 1.
In his role as VA secretary, Nicholson had to explain the theft of
agency computer files containing personal data on millions of veterans
and active service members
Nicholson, who is returning to the private sector, is the latest in a
lengthening line of senior officials heading for the exits in the final
1-1/2 years of President Bush's administration.
Nicholson, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, was U.S. ambassador to the
Vatican and chairman of the Republican National Committee.
Allard issued a statement about Nicholson's departure.
"I was surprised to hear about the resignation of my friend and fellow
Coloradan, Secretary Jim Nicholson. Having assumed control of the VA at
an extremely difficult time, he has been a tireless advocate for
veterans, and his efforts have helped to bring the VA up to speed in
order to meet the current needs of our veterans.
"I would especially like to commend Secretary Nicholson for the
instrumental role he played in reinvigorating the construction of a new
VA hospital in Aurora on the Fitzsimons campus," Allard wrote.
Nicholson also headed an interagency task force of seven Cabinet
officers that Bush set up in response to problems with patient care at
the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. The administration
had been embarrassed this year by revelations of shoddy care at the Army
facility for veterans wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Nicholson, who oversaw a vast network of 1,400 VA hospitals and clinics
that provide supplemental care and rehabilitation to 5.8 million
veterans, defended the administration's performance on veterans issues
but conceded there was room for improvement.
"When you're seeing over 1 million patients a week, you have to be very
good, and if there is any one patient who doesn't get the care that they
deserve, that's unacceptable," he said last March.
"The American people can feel very good about the health care system
that their VA is providing to veterans," he said at the time, "but if
there is a case where a veteran gets lost in the system, or suffers
anxiety or their family does as a result of something we're not doing,
that is unacceptable."
Within months of taking office at the VA, Nicholson had to deal with a
$1 billion shortfall at the agency, requiring the administration to
appeal to Congress for emergency spending.
Republicans blamed the shortfall on unexpected health care demands from
veterans. But Democrats said it was an example of what they said was the
administration's inadequate planning for the war in Iraq.
Nicholson came under harsh criticism in Congress after it was revealed
in May 2006 that VA computer files with personal data, including Social
Security numbers for 26.5 million veterans and military troops, were
missing.
Burglars had stolen computer equipment from a data analyst's Maryland
home. Law enforcement officials recovered the laptop and hard drive
about two months later after being tipped by an informant who'd heard
about a $50,000 reward and knew where they could be found.
Called to account at Capitol Hill hearings, Nicholson said he was angry
that he hadn't been told about the burglary until nearly two weeks after
it happened.
Nicholson acknowledged at the time that officials, including Deputy
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon Mansfield, knew about the incident
earlier, but he would not say whether Mansfield should be punished,
citing a need for a full investigation.
"As a veteran, I am outraged. Frankly I'm mad as hell," Nicholson said,
pledging strong action against those responsible. "I can't explain the
lapses of judgment on the behalf of my people. We will stay focused on
these problems until we get them fixed."
Sen. Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat who sits on the Veterans
Affairs Committee, said that "we need the president to send us a serious
nominee to fill the job. That means a truthful advocate for veterans,
not an apologist for this administration's failures to plan."
Nicholson just this week pledged to add mental health services at more
than 100 VA medical centers. In addition, the VA is adding new VA-run
Vet Centers, hiring more suicide prevention coordinators and hosting
state mental health conferences to facilitate collaboration of veterans
services.
--- The Associated contributed to this story.
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Larry Scott --
