White House Is Firm on Shaking Up Military Spending

NY Times ^ | May 6, 2009 | Christopher Drew

[jazusamo]

When the Obama administration outlined its plans to cut big weapons programs, some of the military industry’s allies in Congress assumed, as they have in the past, that they would have the final say.

But over the last week, the White House has prodded Congressional leaders to strip several billion dollars’ worth of extra equipment out of a wartime spending bill.

Experts say that effort suggests Mr. Obama should be able to reshape the Pentagon’s spending practices.

The developments have shaken up the industry. In the past, military contractors have routinely beaten back attempts to cancel weapons programs by lobbying Congress. But Mr. Obama’s popularity and the financial crisis are changing this well-choreographed dance. The White House is trying to demonstrate that when the president says no, he means it.

“It’s the best possible moment politically to exercise this kind of budget discipline,” said Gordon Adams, a professor at American University in Washington who closely monitors military spending.

Even Democratic Congressional leaders who want to protect defense jobs are falling in line. “They are saying, ‘Let’s not go too far,’ ” Mr. Adams said.

The White House has not blocked everything that Congress wanted to add to the supplemental war-spending bill, which is expected to be approved by the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday. And Congress will have another chance to reverse some of the cuts when it considers the administration’s budget for the 2010 fiscal year, also expected to be released Thursday.

[Doogle]

...just the NYT letting the terrorist know we’re cutting military spending

[centurion316]

Budget discipline? Budget discipline from this Administration? Budget discipline my a$$.

[jazusamo]

Yep, but they could have written this right after he was elected cuz everyone knew Obambi was going to do it.

[microgood]

Even Democratic Congressional leaders who want to protect defense jobs are falling in line.

Hopefully to their peril in the next election cycle. Could be some opportunities for the Pubs.

[Doogle]

it’s official now

[rbg81]

The White House is trying to demonstrate that when the president says no, he means it.

---

Only when it comes to spending that actually helps keep us secure.

[Bulldawg Fan]

$3.73 Trillion and all but one department grows fat and happy. But the Marxists have always hated the military and now the military will pay the price. This should surprise no one.

[OpeEdMunkey]

Defense? Jobs? Defense jobs? We don’t need no stinkin’ defense jobs!

[deport]

I’d like to see zero based budgets tried for awhile and see what the outcome would be under them.

[italianquaker]

Yes they do for the military which he despises but some where increases for arts and diversity training will equal the military cuts

[Cicero]

Yes? I think Drudge got it right earlier.

Obama plans to make large cuts in weapons systems, but also plans to add 20,000 new weapons procurement bureaucrats.

That sure makes a lot of sense—if you want more government and less defense.

I presume it also means that the government bureaucrats will be more firmly in control of distributing the pork.

[dusttoyou]

Ever get a gut feeling the HNIC knows he's a one term wonder? He's just too eager to flip us all the bird for no good reason, even the few not America hating dems in Congress, much to his long-term peril. With all the daily WOW subterfuge, and with most everyone focused on the latest unbelievable "dare you", it seems his crew is stealing everything they can before the $hit starts to hit the fan.

[snowsislander]

The left intends to destroy our military.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

How can these A$$E$ do this to our MILITARY???!! They HATE everything about the U.S. military, but whoaaaaa -- It's freakin' ok to let terrorists go free, while this Jackass President in Thief steals from DEFENSE coffers and gives it to his minions! I am SICK SICK SICK of this SOB!

[jazusamo]

No doubt in my mind that you’re right and as the moonbat left gets stronger the worse it gets for our military.

[rabscuttle385]

The Senate on Wednesday began considering a bill to strengthen the Pentagon’s contracting process. One of its chief sponsors, Senator John McCain of Arizona, who was Mr. Obama’s Republican rival in the presidential race last year, strongly supports many of the changes that Mr. Obama wants to make.

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[TYVets]

Banana republics don't have a strong well equipped military to safe guard their citizens.

They do have an army to control the uprisings by the peons.