TPM Reader EK:

There's a lot of discussion about how the Republicans are framing the 'defense cut' meme, but I'm also concerned about your response. It seems like your reaction is, "don't say Obama is cutting Defense when he isn't and shouldn't." My reaction is, "don't give Obama credit for cutting the Defense budget when he isn't and should."

Late Update: TPM Reader JC responds:

EK's comment -- that Obama's not cutting the Pentagon budget, and he should -- is helpful, but it goes beyond that. There's a curious silence in the left/center blogosphere about the merits of the policy that's driving this latest budget.

The shift from top dollar, fancy-pants weapons systems to a COIN-centric Defense budget contains a host of issues worth considering. We're betting heavily on a defense policy that that requires a) lots of troops on the ground, b) boatloads of money, & c) a willingness to insert ourselves in failed states & global hotspots where there are insurgencies to counter in the first place. In addition, it takes years (if not decades) for counterinsurgency to succeed -- with, of course, absolutely no guarantee that it will. They don't call this the Long War for nothing. Have Afghanistan & Iraq been so much fun that we were prepared to commit to this?

Clearly, none of this is an argument for continuing to spend on massively over budget Cold War-era programs. My point is that it would be useful to consider the implications of the policy behind the budget. Regrettably, not enough folks seem to be doing this. ...