Reply #76: Not really

[Jai4WKC08]

Cleland certainly covers the veterans' appeal. In a most visible way. And he's a good man and a good speaker, and has a lot of valuable Senate experience. Also, some executive experience as VA chief, iirc. Being a Southerner wouldn't hurt either, even if Georgia screwed the pooch in electing Chambliss.

But he doesn't bring the foreign relations experience, the hands-on diplomacy, in some cases with foreign leaders who are still in office, and the record of intermediating between a Muslim populace and its non-Muslim neighbors. Or the background in force planning, deployment and logistical support. Or the Oxford Masters degree and West Point professorship in economics. Or the experience with delivering healthcare and education to American communities in Europe.