Obama lauds former CEO as right choice to fix VA

Barrow schedules special office hours for veterans in Statesboro

Former Procter & Gamble executive Robert McDonald, President Barack Obama's nominee as the next Veterans Affairs secretary, listens as Obama makes a statement at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington Monday. If confirmed by the Senate, McDonald would succeed Eric Shinseki, the retired four-star general who resigned last month as the scope of the issues at veterans' hospitals became apparent. - photo by Associated Press

Obama Veterans Affair Werm — Former Procter & Gamble executive Robert McDonald, President Barack Obama's nominee as the next Veterans Affairs secretary, listens as Obama makes a statement at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington Monday. If confirmed by the Senate, McDonald would succeed Eric Shinseki, the retired four-star general who resigned last month as the scope of the issues at veterans' hospitals became apparent. - photo by Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama sought to turn the page Monday on a humiliating chapter in the history of the Veterans Affairs Department, tapping former Procter & Gamble CEO Robert McDonald to take over the sprawling agency. A former Army captain, McDonald would bring a blend of corporate and military experience to a bureaucracy reeling from revelations of chronic, system-wide failure and veterans dying while on long waiting lists for treatment. His selection reflects Obama's desire to put a tested manager in charge as the White House calls for a top-to-bottom overhaul of the VA. "What especially makes Bob the right choice to lead the VA right now is his three decades of experience building and managing one of the world's most recognizable companies," Obama said at VA headquarters.

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