Pentagon Divided Over McCain

There was an interesting article in the Los Angeles Times October 13, titled "Pentagon Divided Over John McCain." The blurb immediately following the title was as follows: "His military experience, while seen as an asset, makes him a less likely pushover for top brass, and he has long been a critic of Defense spending. But some welcome the prospect of sweeping reforms."

What are readers to make of the blurb? Is Barack Obama's lack of military experience seen as a negative at the Pentagon? Do top officials at the Pentagon think Obama will be a "pushover," to use the Los Angeles Times' choice of words? I'm not speculating about answers to these questions. Each individual can draw their own conclusions. But I did find it an interesting way to draw readers into the article.

The Times notes that John McCain "...would arrive in the White House with more military experience than any president since Dwight D. Eisenhower." "But," the Times says, "he also would bring a long congressional career as an outspoken critic of the Pentagon - prone to harsh assessments of its spending practices, weapons programs and military leaders."

What does this mean? It sounds like the Times thinks the Pentagon is worried about McCain coming in and shaking things up. No more business as usual, as the saying goes. "As a result, defenders of some of the Pentagon's biggest weapons systems," the Times says, "are worried that if McCain is elected, he will order sweeping changes, killing a number of big-ticket programs. Perhaps unlike other civilian leaders, McCain would be able to draw on his experience and knowledge of the military to reject the advice of generals and admirals."

The Times cites sources close to the McCain campaign as saying that the Republican presidential nominee would make Pentagon reform a top priority. Two big ticket items for the next president: Future Combat Systems and the F-22 fighter jet. The Times reports that "McCain has been a critic of the Future Combat Systems program...and Defense officials believe he would order a close look."