Fwd: Morning Bell: Maintaining Our Dominant Military

04/16/2010 Maintaining Our Dominant Military At the close of this week's nuclear summit, President Barack Obama told a press conference: "Whether we like it or not, we remain a dominant military superpower, and when conflicts break out, one way or another we get pulled into them." Yesterday, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) responded to these comments, calling President Obama's remark a "direct contradiction to everything America believes in." McCain went on to tell Fox News: That's one of the more incredible statements I've ever heard a president of the United States make in modern times. We are the dominant superpower, and we're the greatest force for good in the history of this country, and I thank God every day that we are a dominant superpower. Sensing trouble, the White House quickly set out to spin the President's words with deputy national security adviser for strategic communications Ben Rhodes telling The Daily Caller: "He was saying we are the global superpower. Like it or not that means that we are going to have to play a role." But notice what word is conspicuously absent from Rhodes recasting of the President's remarks ... "military." Nobody doubts that President Obama wants the United States to play a leadership role on the world stage. You don't get Nobel Peace Prizes for being an isolationist. But what is very much in doubt is President Obama's commitment to maintaining our nation's role as the world's dominant military superpower. Assuming we will remain a dominant military power under this President is a bad assumption. Since becoming Commander in Chief, President Obama has ended production of the Air Force's top fighter, the F-22; canceled missile defense installations in central Europe; cut the Army's Future Combat System; made large cuts to the missile defense program; and recently announced an almost 20% cut in the dedicated forces they could allocate to respond to a weapons of mass destruction attack on U.S. soil. We are not burdened with military power—we have it for a reason. The Constitution calls for the federal government to "provide for the common defense." The purpose of American power is to protect Americans - not act as the world's policeman. If the President does not want to get dragged into conflict he should not pursue policies that increase the likelihood of war. His New START agreement signed last week with Russia not only clearly links our missile defense shield with Russian missile reduction, but it also limits our own conventional weapons capabilities as well. Obama's New START will make the United States more vulnerable. You can do something to help stop Obama's anti-military agenda. Today at 10 AM  Heritage Action for America will be hosting a live-chat to discuss the security implications of the New START and how you can prevent its ratification. Go to Heritage Action for America for more information today. Print | Comments | Forward RECENT ENTRIES The Obama Education Agenda Takes Shape McCain Throws Down the VAT Gauntlet Tax Day Coincidence? Obamacare Taxes: Deep Impact Obama's Troubling Nuclear Policies QUICK HITS Today at 10:30 AM Heritage Foundation Center for Data Analysis Director William Beach will host a panel discussion with Atlas Economic Research Foundation Senior Fellow Judy Shelton, PhD and Johns Hopkins University Professor Steve Hanke, PhD on the threats facing the dollar's long-standing international role in the global economy. Then at noon, the "Father of the Euro," the 1999 Recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences Robert Mundell, PhD, will give a keynote speech on "The Dollar, The Euro, and the International Monetary Order: What is the U.S. to Do?" Join us. Federal Judge Barbara Crabb, who was nominated by President Jimmy Carter, ruled the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional Thursday, saying the day amounts to a call for religious action. According to RealtyTrac, the number of repossessed homes was up 9% the first quarter of this year. The creator of the "Crash the Tea Party" Internet site is on leave while Oregon school officials investigate whether the middle school teacher used taxpayer-funded government property to develop his pro-big government website. Share Today's Morning Bell Facebook Myspace Digg Linkdin Twitter   Know anyone who shares your conservative values and principles and may want to receive the Heritage Foundation newsletters?  Please refer them to Heritage today! Connect with Heritage Facebook Twitter YouTube Kindle Flickr Support our work by becoming a member with your gift of $25 or more. The Heritage Foundation 214 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002-4999 Call us at (202) 546-4400 Add morningbell@heritage.org to your address book to ensure that you receive emails from us.