July 18, 2007 – Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson Resigns

VA Secretary Jim Nicholson turned in his resignation yesterday indicating he will leave his post sometime before October 1 of this year. Secretary Nicholson has presided over the second largest government department - in terms of employees - since his appointment in 2005. He has been responsible for a budget of over $80 billion and overseeing 218,000 employees.

According to the Bush administration, there was no underlying "back story" to explain his resignation other than the fact that he wanted to return to private life. Some have speculated Nicholson wants time to prepare for an elected office in 2008. He appears to have been an effective administrator during his two years at the helm.

Critics have tried to blame him for the theft of personal records last summer and for lack of advocating increasing funds for Veterans Affairs. The theft could have occurred on anyone's watch and his budgets were likely dictated by the administration and he likely had little input of his own. The Bush administration has been notorious for wanting to put our troops in harms way in foreign countries but not provide the money to take care of their needs after leaving the service. Critics of Bush have also tried to lay the scandal at Walter Reed Army Medical Center at Nicholson's feet, but VA has no direct involvement in Army medical care.

Nicholson, 69, certainly seemed to have the qualifications for a Cabinet level position. He was a graduate of West Point and served in Vietnam as a Ranger. He spent eight years on active duty and 22 years in the Army Reserve, retiring as a colonel. He holds a master's degree in public policy from Columbia University and a law degree from the University of Denver. He served as the National Republican Party Chairman and as an ambassador. Prior to entering public service, he distinguished himself as a successful real estate developer in Colorado.
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