In the event we ever have a large scale mobilization we'll need US facilities. We should be very careful not to reduce their number beyond the point necessary to support such an increase in troops and training facilities.
THIS is the fly in the ointment. Not a SINGLE ONE of thes bases being closed is relaceable. Large tracts of land on the east and west coasts near the ocean are ust non-existant anymore. Closing them is one thing,selling off the land and other assets is another thing alltogether!
THIS is the thing most citizens keep overlooking,and the one thing the politicians are terrified somebody is going to point out. Local real estate agents,bankers,lawyers,building trades associations,building supply businesses,and even county tax offices look at these bases and all they see is the wealth they can make from buying up this land cheap and developing it. LOTS of times if you look,you can see the local politicians in these areas have family members and/or major financial supporters who make their livings from one of the mentioned businesses.
If they seriously want to close them,fine. Close them. Just don't put the land or assets up for sale. EVER. These bases are made of "unobtanium",and can't be replaced.