Interviews

Jim Webb on CNN’s “The Lead” with Jake Tapper, May 30, 2014

May 30th, 2014

Is this the next VA Secretary?

(CNN) – The reaction from both Democrats and Republicans to the growing scandal involving sometimes deadly waits for care at VA hospitals was pretty universal: Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki had to go. Gen. Shinseki resigned Friday.

“I’ve been speaking for a number of years about the backlog in the VA … It’s got to be fixed, and it’s a leadership issue,” said Jim Webb, U.S Marine veteran, former U.S. senator, and author of “I Heard My Country Calling.”

Webb’s name has been floated for the job of Veterans Affairs Secretary.

“I care a lot about it,” said Webb, who comes from a family with a long history of military service; his son left college and enlisted in the Marines and fought in Iraq.

But Webb isn’t exactly lobbying for the job.

“I’m here to help if they want advice, but I’m not particularly interested in the position,” said Webb.

For more of our interview with former Sen. Jim Webb, check out the video above.