[PAR35]

Thanks. I missed the actual motion that was approved, but from what it sounded like in the discussion afterward, they are keeping the base open without planes as a welfare project. This BRAC is much more political than previous BRAC rounds have been, keeping open unneeded facilities because the jobs are politically important.

[CedarDave]

Yes, I was uncomfortable with that process; it certainly wasn't clean. From what I gather happened earlier, the votes to keep it open were there, but two of the members had to recuse themselves (don't know what for). This was a hastily crafted backup measure.

Governor Richardson was there and held a news conference at the lunch break. I suspect he did some arm twisting to get them to postpone making a decision until 2009. No doubt their decision was influenced by him.

Caller on C-Span -- enlisted man says CAFB was the worst assignment, rural and nothing to do.

Second caller can't believe they voted to keep open but no mission as of now.

[riverdawg]

"This BRAC is much more political than previous BRAC rounds ..."

That's my impression as well. This time, it seems that explicit attention has been given to the local economic (and, by extension, political) impact of a particular closing, which I thought was beyond the mandate of the BRAC process.