Pentagon divided over John McCain

[DeepModem Mom]

Source: Los Angeles Times

The range of views within the Pentagon about the GOP candidate is surprising and shows a complex culture struggling with the effects of waging two protracted wars while grappling with rivalries among the military branches. Some top officers are disillusioned over how President Bush has used the military, and they cheer the prospect of the sweeping reforms McCain might bring. Others are skeptical, believing that the former Navy fighter pilot would show a bias against the Air Force. They wonder whether Democrat Barack Obama would be a safer choice.

"People are weighing who would be the lesser of two evils," one military officer said.

Most of the personnel interviewed for this article spoke on the condition that their names not be used, citing the advice of senior military officials who cautioned against appearing to take sides in the political campaign. But for all the admonitions about remaining apolitical, the presidential race is a topic of daily conversation at lunch tables around the Pentagon.

Some officials privately express a degree of enthusiasm for Obama, hoping for better relations with allies and an improved U.S. image in the Muslim world. Toward that end, they said, the Democrat is more likely to appoint Pentagon leaders who would actively engage potential adversaries, as well as allies. "We need some folks in here who are not responsible for getting us where we are today," a senior Army official said.

Fans of McCain -- and there are many, especially within the Navy -- believe he is best-equipped to reform the business of the Pentagon, changing how weapons systems are selected and paid for. "I don't see him as coming in and cutting programs," a military official said. "He sees how this building gets taken advantage of by contractors, and (he) is troubled." But others expect that McCain would insist on changes in the way the military chooses and builds airplanes, ships and tanks. "He has a deep love for the military and understanding of the culture," an officer said. "But he is not at all afraid to be critical of how we spend our money."...

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-mccainmil13-2008oct13,0,7434481.story

[Burma Jones]

1. As someone working for a small Defense Contractor

We're nowhere near big enough to cheat.......

I think both Obama and McCain would be good for small government contractors. Obama would be better I think, but McCain has been a supporter of set asides and is not favorably viewed by the Big Contractors. Obama has supported acquisition reform big time and reform is going to help small contractors....One of the first things Chimpy's weasels did was to overhaul the defense acquisition process to reduce the pool of contractors and allow more no-bid contracts.

[DeepModem Mom]

2. Interesting, new -- thanks for an informed view! nt