You missed my point. I honestly believe, because I've seen it personally that the military wants to close outdated redundant facilities. It's the politicians who force the military to waste taxpayer dollars. Lets be honest and call it what it is--welfare for their constituents.
I think it's a bit of both. Politicians want their welfare for their state, but the Military doesn't want to truly downsize. They'd rather get more funds to keep a big military. Now if a facility is truly outdated then yes they'll kill it. Or if they don't have good community support of the base, then they'll kill it. But some they put on the list are there just because they know they won't get closed. If the politicians tell them to cut X% of bases then they'll give a list that does just that. They know some won't ever be cut becuase the politicians won't let that happen and they know others won't be cost effective. So they end up closing what the military wants to close and nothing more. (well for the most part).