| After Chet Edwards made Obama's short list for VP in August, it now appears the Democratic congressman is under consideration to be named Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the AP reports. "I would want to think long and hard," Edwards, D-Waco, told The Associated Press at a groundbreaking for a new Fort Worth veterans outpatient clinic. "I wake up every day being blessed to represent my district, representing veterans ... and we've done a lot of good things." Edwards is chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Committee, which helped increase funding for veterans' health care and benefits by $16.3 billion the last two years. He also said he would have to consider whether he wanted to give up his position as the second-highest ranking Democrat on the Energy and Water Appropriations Committee. Edwards also serves on the House Budget and Appropriations committees and Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. ... "I love my present job," Edwards said. "Where could I do the most good for veterans? I'm not sure."
I would guess that if Edwards decides he really wants this job it will be his. I expect him to stay in the Congress, however, where he will have a lot of power given his seniority, committee assignments and (after the VP speculation) relationship to President-elect Obama. Of course, if Edwards does decide to leave Congress, it would be very difficult for Democrats to hold on to his seat.
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