Coburn to McCain: Cutting defense is not 'isolationist'

Foreign Policy ^ | 11/18/10 | Josh Rogin

[Bokababe]

Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) Tuesday rejected the assertion by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) that calls for cuts in defense spending represent the rise of "protectionism and isolationism" within the Republican party.....

[Bokababe]

McCain flops then flips this time.

[NonValueAdded]

depends on the cuts ... I might just be with John on this one.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

Depends on what we’re cutting in defense. I wouldn’t leave it up to Obama. As a percentage of GDP, we are at very low post WWII levels.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

We can’t have military spending AND the TSA. One of them has to be cut massively.

[napscoordinator]

Defense is going to be hit hard I can feel it. They don’t learn at all. They have been cutting budgets with defense forever. It does not do any good for the country at all.

[napscoordinator]

Why in the heck can’t they accept donations to the debt. Seriously I know you guys are against this for some reason but why not allow tax write offs for anything that goes to the debt. For example, Bill Gates can donate (easily) two billion for 2011 and add in every American who wants to donate. Perhaps have the liberal stars do something worthwhile for a change and have them do some sort of concert for the debt. I remember during the Clinton administration when the debt was briefly discussed, a school raised six hundred dollars for the debt (I know not even a drop in the well) but President Clinton sent it back to the school saying that their was not a mechanism to accept the money for the debt.....what a crock! They need to change that immediately. I will be blasted about this but I believe it is a great idea. Some people will even “will” their money to the debt after they die. Please tell me why this is not a good idea??????

[OldDeckHand]

Normally, I don't support cuts in Defense spending. It is a constitutional necessity, after all. BUT, I'm starting to really shift with respect to how and where we spend those dollars.

More specifically, isn't it about time that we let Germany, South Korea and Japan defend themselves? Why can't we bring those soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines home, where they can spend their dollars on American bases? South Koreans don't want us there, plus they continue to give us the "free trade shaft". Japan doesn't want us, especially in Okinawa. And, I say "F" the Germans. If they aren't worried about the Russians, why should we worry about the Russians?

We need to protect the homeland, but we also need to do it in a way that protects the homeland's treasury.

[Minus_The_Bear]

"We can’t have military spending AND the TSA. One of them has to be cut massively."

Good point.

[Bokababe]

McCain — enough said.

[Frantzie]

McCain brings home the bacon for Raytheon or one of the defense companies in Scottsdale. The man is a pro-illegal wh*re. It is all about shoveling money to illegals and defense contractors.

[stephenjohnbanker]

” McCain — enough said. “

Yeah, good catch, BB.

Anything said by McCain is MORE than enough said ;-)

[Bokababe]

It's interesting as to how we view this differently.

What I saw was that John McCain's previous comments re "worried about isolationists & Rand Paul" & cutting the defense budget went over like a lead balloon. So now, McCain regroups, says, "I didn't mean that, I meant it should be cut but reinvested", hoping that it will sound better.

[WOBBLY BOB]

I agree 100% .

I happen to think we could use a lot more “isolationism”.

[Thane_Banquo]

Really depends on what is cut. I mean, if we fired the military’s Commander in Chief, think of what we could save!

[EternalVigilance]

Senator Coburn, when you’re dealing with folks whose first impulse as they survey the ocean of federal spending is to cut defense, one of the few constitutionally mandated responsibilities in that ocean, you’re dealing with isolationists.

[Forgotten Amendments]

Just as the other lefties trot out the “R” word, the neocons try to preclude debate with the “I” word.

“You want to defund the dirigible mast in my district? Why, did you isolationists learn nothing? 1938! 1938!”

Does anyone remember the spectacle of Red Ron Dellums and Patsy Schroeder pushing through the Osprey against the opposition of the Reagan DOD? I guess Reagan was a real isolationist / sarc.

[LibLieSlayer]

NO MILITARY CUTS IN A TIME OF WAR... ARE YOU PEOPLE INSANE?

LLS

[LibLieSlayer]

Amen.

LLS

[La Enchiladita]

I am disappointed in Senator Coburn on this issue.
He is too obsessed with the failures of the “Class of ‘94.”
He should know better than to publicize defense cuts.

[OldDeckHand]

"I happen to think we could use a lot more “isolationism”."

I think I know what you mean, but I want to be clear about my position. I don't - in any way - wish to return to the days of 1930s isolationism that was so prevalent in the GOP. We should NEVER be scared to project force, anywhere in the world, and at whatever time.

Nor do I wish to shrink the size of the military. But, I think those 200K+ troops that are in Germany and Korea and Japan right now, would be MUCH better utilized in existing US bases, or perhaps even some new bases along the Mexico border.

We have a carrier based in Japan. I don't want to eliminate that carrier group, I just want it moved back to either Pearl or San Diego or Seattle. We're closing bases in the US - bases that infuse local economies with hundreds of millions/annually - but were leaving open all these other bases that employ foreigners. It makes no sense, whatsoever.