[quote name='mykevermin']More or less. Staying in the middle east or leaving ten minutes ago, none of that, as big as it is, will really change the size, structure, and direction of the Navy.[/QUOTE]
Actually...
The neocons have this notion that wars between the US and other major powers are over, that the military should be geared for asymmetric warfare against rogue states and terrorists. They think that boots on the ground are more important and that expensive equipment such as ships and fighters are unnecessary. This is what Rumsfeld and Cheney are all about. They don't believe in significant air or sea power, they're not going to spend the money on the Air Force or the Navy.
On the other hand, Bill Clinton basically gave them whatever they wanted. So if you're in favor of big Navy and Air Force programs, you might just need to vote Democrat.
Actually...
The neocons have this notion that wars between the US and other major powers are over, that the military should be geared for asymmetric warfare against rogue states and terrorists. They think that boots on the ground are more important and that expensive equipment such as ships and fighters are unnecessary. This is what Rumsfeld and Cheney are all about. They don't believe in significant air or sea power, they're not going to spend the money on the Air Force or the Navy.
On the other hand, Bill Clinton basically gave them whatever they wanted. So if you're in favor of big Navy and Air Force programs, you might just need to vote Democrat.