The president also showed his lack of understanding of the Navy in his snide remarks and also by a point he made later in the debate:
1. When he was talking about the Navy and dismissing the need for more ships, he mentioned new technology alluding to the less we need to rely on straight numbers. Well, we have fewer aircraft carriers doing more than ever before, which puts a strain on the men, women and equipment and also increases our vulnerability. The commander in chief should understand this and a well informed CinC wouldn’t have argued against an increase.
2. Not long after deriding Romney for wanting more ships, the president talked about keeping the oceans safe for commerce. A well informed CinC would know it’s the ships that keep the sea lanes open (Mahan 101). Fewer ships equal less stability on the high seas.
Pretty pathetic if you ask me.
Your point about the strain on men and equipment in a smaller service is spot on. Problem is Obama justifies it with his “strategy driven” policy lie. Mitt did a fair job of pointing out Obama changed the strategy from a two war readiness (fight-hold-fight) to a one war strategy. It was obvious to me at the time that the driver for this strategy change by the Obama admin was not the threat environment, but rather the desire to have the strategy map to his military reduction plan. O is a liar, a manipulator, and an arrogant POS.