and no one has lived up to that more than ric shinseki.and i think that's why probably today, in retrospect, he really feels that he should have known, and he regrets he didn't. but i think there's a lot of problems in the chain of command that kept him from knowing what he should have known. >> got a chain of command. general jim jones, congressman mike rogers, former ambassador nick burns, you have added immensely to our discussion today. i really appreciate you coming. >> thank you very much. >>> and when we return, president obama says fixing a dysfunctional va is not rocket science. >> it requires execution. it requires discipline, it requires focus. >> vietnam war veteran and former senator jim webb on improving care for america's warriors, plus his new memoir. that's next. she keeps you on your toes. you wouldn't have it any other way. but your erectile dysfunction - it could be a question of blood flow. cialis tadalafil for daily use helps you be ready anytime the moment's right. you can be more confident in your ability to be read

as ric shinseki himself indicated, there is a need for a change in culture within the vha, and perhaps the vha as a whole that makes sure that bad -- the v.a. as a whole that makes sure that bad news gets surfaced quickly so that things can be fixed. i know that was the attitude of secretary shinseki, and that's what he communicated to folks under him, but they did not execute. chrissy parsons, last question. >> you said it was a general judgment that made the decision for you. if i remember correctly, secretary sebelius offered her resignation after healthcare.gov failed, and you refused to take -- declined to take it. i wonder if there is scapegoating taking place here -- >> meaning? >> the dysfunction in the department seems to have been very deep and very widespread. is lopping off the head of it really the best step to take going forward here? is there a political reason for removing him other than going straight to the problem? >> the distractions that rick refers to in part our political. at this stage, what i want is somebody at the v.a. who is not spending time outside of solv

ric take a truly remarkable action in public remarks. he took responsibility for the facilities ande apologized to his fellow veterans and to the american people. a few minutes ago, secretary shinseki offered me his own resignation. with considerable regret, i accepted. eric shinseki has served his country with honor for nearly 50 years. he did two tours of combat in vietnam. he is a veteran who left a part of himself on the battlefield. he rose to command the first cavalry division, served as army chief of staff, and has never been afraid to speak truth to power. the secretary of the v.a., he presided over record investments in our veterans, and rolling 2 million new veterans in health care, delivering more disability pay to veterans of agent orange, helping deal with posttraumatic stress, brain injury, improving care for our women's veterans -- women veterans. he helped reduce veteran homelessness and helped more than one million veterans, servicemembers, and their families pursue their education under the post 9/11 g.i. bill. his commitment to veterans is unquestioned. the service to our country is exemplary. i am grateful for his service, as are many veterans across the country