I'm Guessing: Ron Paul will say Obama's military cuts don't go far enough.

[denem]

Normally, Republicans would put up a united front against cuts in military spending. But maybe not this time. One old school isolationist has a national stage, passionate supporters, and several more debates to argue the case for less spending.

If you were President Obama, announcing cuts when one prominent republican is likely to back you, looks like good timing.

The question is, how, if at all, will Ron Paul attack Obama on this announcement.

[think]

1. Cutting military spending INCREASES is more accurate. The military budget is going up not down...

[denem]

2. Actually No. These are real cuts.

The $450 cut reduces spending to plus 1% per year, less than the rate of inflation, and certainly less than the rate of military cost inflation.

IF the $500 'automatic' cut also goes through in 2013, then the nominal amount spent will also be cut.

[earthside]

5. Don't Contradict the President

"Over the next 10 years, the growth in the defense budget will slow, but the fact of the matter is this: It will still grow, because we have global responsibilities that demand our leadership."
http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/05/politics/pentagon-strategy-shift/index.html

And, yes, we need real, genuine cuts in the Pentagon budget. The idea that we have thousands and thousands of troops and multiple bases in countries like Germany, Italy, Japan, England, etc., while our bridges are crumbling is revolting.

[denem]

7. That's like saying wages are growing.

They are, but no as much as the cost of living.

IT ALSO LEAVES OUT the $500m 'automatic' cuts due in 2013.

[think]

11. If the interpretation of these are spending cuts are based on projections that include

adjustments for inflation then yes I'd agree with that. If we are talking about the actual physical amount we are spending on the military then I would think we'd agree this amount will increase.

Fair enough?

[ProSense]

8. Reducing

the size of the military by nearly 500,000 troops is huge.

Cutting nearly a trillion from the budget, eliminating weapons systems and other initiatives are real cuts.

Any budget not elimated entirely grows. Cutting $1 trillion from a bloated budget is a real cut.

[think]

9. Thank you. nt

[ProSense]

3. The

silence is deafening.

I mean, he jumped on the recess appointments.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002124972

[denem]

4. But Ron will not be able to be silent in the debates will he?

Last edited Fri Jan 6, 2012, 12:25 PM - Edit history (1)

Unless he turns a complete 180, he will have to argue it's a move in the right direction - and with some passion, if the past is anything to go by.

[ProSense]

10. It's still

interesting that he hasn't said a word about the announcement.

What has everyone been cheering him on about? Isn't he supposed to embarrass Democrats with his alleged "progressive" opinions?

Here's a major opportunity, and nothing.

[NorthCarolina]

6. He'd probably be right too...but hey, this issue may help to push discussion of the NDAA

out of sight and out of mind.