Obama announces major defense cuts and draw downs on Live TV--live blog

[msanthrope]

Will update with links when available--

Briefing from the Pentagon. Obama gave remarks, now Panetta takes questions.

This is a 10 year plan. Making military leaner, more far-reaching, strategically but also take care of vets.

Leon Panetta--intensive review. Budget cuts based on strategic review. Unprecedented to have president so involved, spending so much time with military strategy.

[WI_DEM]

1. Thanks for letting us know! another thread just said to turn on our TV's

and a lot of us aren't near or have a TV.

[msanthrope]

2. We've weakened Al Qaeda, ending wars, and Congress demands

we cut-- per Panetta. Given all that, we developed plan to take us to future.

Focus on continuing threat of terrorism. Focus on proliferation. focus on nation-changing.

But we have debt problems. Which is itself a national security problem.

Required by Congressional act to cut--so we did a plan, with help from the president. We will do out part.

SAVING DRIVEN BY STRATEGY, and RIGOROUS ANALYSIS.

[msanthrope]

3. SAVING DRIVEN BY STRATEGY, and RIGOROUS ANALYSIS.--4 principles...

Lots of analysis, with president, military, and civilian.

We woud have to make shifts anyway, because of changing circumstances, not just money.

But this has given Defense ability to change strategy and shift priorities...

This was done with combatant commanders, policy

4 overarching principles--

1) World finest military sustained.

2) avoid hollowing out force--smaller, leaner, precisely honed.

3) saving must be balanced, all on table, including EARMARKS and PORK.

4) preserve quality and care of force....

[chrisa]

4. I predict mass Republican tears

Mmm... Republican tears. Num num num

[monmouth]

5. McCain will need a therapist...n/t

[tabatha]

6. There were a lot of words that Bush used, but said without understanding.

agile, fast, small, flexibility, etc

Thus I believe this came from the military themselves. Hence the Republicans cannot complain.

[msanthrope]

8. Eric Shinseki's day has come!!! nt

[barbtries]

9. that won't stop them.

it came from obama, hence, it must be bad. does not matter what it is.

[msanthrope]

7. We are rebalancing presence--

Area we see greatest challenges--

Asia Pacific--grow our presence for our economy and national security. Maintain tech edge and freedom of action.

Middle East. Will remain and support political progess.

Stregthen alliances all through the world with EU. NATO is out most effective alliance. Will adapt and evolve. Article 5 commitments STAND.

Latin America/Africa--innovative methods, pursing new security alliances. SMALL FOOTPRINT. Military exercises, maintain presence.

Size and composition of our air, ground and naval--- must be able to confront several things at once. Great flexibility is the key.

More than one adversary at one time, ALWAYS. We we always have multiple jobs, and we need flexible forces. Nature of our world.

US will emphasize building capacity of partners and alliances--they should police themselves.

ARMY AND MARINE CORPS will not be sized prior levels--more special ops groups--especially CYBERSPACE.

[msanthrope]

10. 2020--force sized and shaped differently from all before.

Part of Presidents budget.

We will reduce capabilities we no longer need. Invest in newer stuff.

We will make trade-offs. We will take some risk. Not easy choices.

WEED OUT WASTE, OVERHEAD, CONSOLIDATE...but, this will impact size of military.

True national security is not just military--it is diplomacy, intelligence, fiscal discipline and effective government.

[msanthrope]

11. Obama's budget will save security, SEQUESTERING of 2013 will endanger security.

Panetta hit them in pants--do this budget and cut responsibility, or kill the military with arbitrary cuts of 2013.

[one_voice]

13. I'm watching too!!...

Head will explode today!

[msanthrope]

12. Last remarks to the troops. Out of crisis, is opportunity. We will build modern force.

Our responsibility is to protect nation, keep America safe, and we can do it.

[msanthrope]

14. MSNBC is now on pundits, although Jt Chiefs was speaking....

President Obama is first to appear in that Pentagon venue....