Seeking a VA Chief Who Knows Veterans

Here's a novel idea: The head of Disabled American Veterans thinks President Bush should name someone to head the Veterans Affairs Department who knows something about the agency's programs and how they work.

"It is absolutely vital that the person selected to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs be thoroughly versed in all aspects of veterans affairs," says DAV Washington Headquarters Executive Director David W. Gorman. "With the urgently needed funding increase for veterans programs and services being delayed yet again, a flood of wounded and injured from Iraq and Afghanistan coming to the VA for health care and other earned benefits and the huge backlog of pending disability compensation claims, the VA needs a strong leader who can immediately take charge of the department."

It's a radical notion. But it just might work.