Louis E. Caldera, the former secretary of the army, endorses Clinton

[wyldwolf]

Louis E. Caldera, the former secretary of the army, today endorsed Clinton in her bid for the White House, her campaign announced. Last month, Clinton picked up the endorsement of another major former military official, Gen. Wesley Clark.

Caldera will join Clark and Lt. General Claudia Kennedy on Clinton's Veterans and Military Retirees Committee. "Hillary Clinton is the candidate with the experience to deal with the complex challenges that our nation faces,” Caldera said. “I am convinced that she is the leader with the strength to bring the change that America needs.

"Her record of fighting to give our soldiers and veterans the life-saving armor they need in the line of fire, and the health care and support services they deserve when they get home was crucial in my decision to endorse her.”

Caldera, a West Point graduate, served in the California State Assembly and later in the administration of President Bill Clinton as managing director and chief operating officer for the Corporation for National and Community Service, the agency that sponsors the AmeriCorps volunteer service program. From 1998 to 2001, he was Secretary of the Army, the first Hispanic to serve in this position.

Caldera is the son of Mexican immigrants and could help in rallying Hispanic support.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/10/01/389000.aspx

[DURHAM D]

1. Great get on two counts. n/t

[Lucinda]

2. I like his reasoning.

Two important resons to support a candidate.