By NEIL H. SIMON, Media General News Service
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WASHINGTON -- Sen. John Warner said today that a House Democrat’s call for massive military spending cuts should make Virginians rethink supporting Barack Obama for president.
Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., said last week that defense spending should be cut 25 percent, in part because “we don't need all these fancy new weapons.”
Warner, R-Va., a former Secretary of the Navy, said in a conference call with reporters that Frank’s comment “completely shocked” him.
The Obama campaign said Obama disagrees with Frank’s recommendation.
Obama has “already laid out his plan, which is actually to expand the Army and Marines to be able to handle the challenges we face right now,” said Kevin Griffis, an Obama campaign spokesman.
Warner said, if elected, Obama “would be in a constant arm wrestling contest with Democrats like Barney Frank.” He argued that the cuts would “weaken America” and take away defense-related jobs in Virginia. The state received about $56 billion in defense spending this fiscal year, he said.
Former Navy Secretary Will Ball was also on the McCain campaign call. He and Warner agreed that the Obama campaign should have “knocked down” Frank’s recommendation earlier. Frank’s remark was first reported Oct. 24 in The Standard-Times in South Coast, Mass.
“Proposals of this sort … are dangerous for the national security,” said Ball, a Virginia resident. He said it reflects “a serious lack of judgment” and confirms the Democrats are “not ready to lead.”
Frank, who chairs the House Financial Services Committee, is not a member of the Armed Services or Appropriations committees, which handle military spending bills.
But Warner said Frank’s “clout” and the fact he is “tied into the leadership” make him a voice to which other Democratic chairmen will listen.
Frank’s comment had no affect on Obama’s plans to increase defense spending, said Griffis.
“Obama has been willing to stand up to some in his own party on defense spending from the beginning of this campaign,” he said.
(Email Neil Simon at nsimon@mediageneral.com.)
Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., said last week that defense spending should be cut 25 percent, in part because “we don't need all these fancy new weapons.”
Warner, R-Va., a former Secretary of the Navy, said in a conference call with reporters that Frank’s comment “completely shocked” him.
The Obama campaign said Obama disagrees with Frank’s recommendation.
Obama has “already laid out his plan, which is actually to expand the Army and Marines to be able to handle the challenges we face right now,” said Kevin Griffis, an Obama campaign spokesman.
Warner said, if elected, Obama “would be in a constant arm wrestling contest with Democrats like Barney Frank.” He argued that the cuts would “weaken America” and take away defense-related jobs in Virginia. The state received about $56 billion in defense spending this fiscal year, he said.
Former Navy Secretary Will Ball was also on the McCain campaign call. He and Warner agreed that the Obama campaign should have “knocked down” Frank’s recommendation earlier. Frank’s remark was first reported Oct. 24 in The Standard-Times in South Coast, Mass.
“Proposals of this sort … are dangerous for the national security,” said Ball, a Virginia resident. He said it reflects “a serious lack of judgment” and confirms the Democrats are “not ready to lead.”
Frank, who chairs the House Financial Services Committee, is not a member of the Armed Services or Appropriations committees, which handle military spending bills.
But Warner said Frank’s “clout” and the fact he is “tied into the leadership” make him a voice to which other Democratic chairmen will listen.
Frank’s comment had no affect on Obama’s plans to increase defense spending, said Griffis.
“Obama has been willing to stand up to some in his own party on defense spending from the beginning of this campaign,” he said.
(Email Neil Simon at nsimon@mediageneral.com.)