President Obama's plan to slash hundreds of billions of dollars from the defense budget and cut tens of thousands of troops from the military will likely fall very heavily on Texas, according to a story at radio station KTRH.
This is because Texas has more than its share of military facilities, analysts say.
What are some of the major military facilities located in Texas?
Major military facilities in Texas include Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio, where Air Force enlisted men receive basic training, Fort Hood, near Killeen, Texas, where the Army's III Corps is based, Fort Bliss, near El Paso, the home of the 1st Armored Division as well as various air defense units, and the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, where Navy aviators are trained.
What would be the economic effects of the Obama defense cuts on Texas?
Rep. John Carter, a Republican whose district includes Fort Hood, suggests that thousands of train soldiers will be thrown into a shrinking job market where rampant unemployment still prevails. Communities around military bases targeted for shrinkage or even elimination would be devastated. The effects on the Texas economy would be incalculable, suggests Carter.
Why is Obama proposing defense cuts?
Political strategist Chris Begala suggests that it is less a move to save money and realign the military for the 21st Century that a move to satisfy Obama's liberal base. The left has been disappointed with the president for a number of reasons, not the least of which because he has not wound down the War on Terror rapidly enough to suit them. Massive defense cuts would serve as a means to mollify the left and make sure that they are more enthusiastic about Obama's reelection than otherwise would be the case.
Any pain that would be inflicted on Texas, a deep red state, would not affect Obama's reelection chances at all. Obama is not likely to carry the Lone Star State in the general election under any circumstances.
What is the likely political reaction in Texas?
According to the Houston Chronicle, Texas Senator John Cornyn has already criticized proposed defense cuts that were proposed by the now defunct "super committee." KFOX TV, on the other hand, reports that Silvestre Reyes, a Democrat whose district includes Fort Bliss, is confident that military facility will escape the brunt of the proposed defense cuts.
What is the Bottom Line?
While President Obama can propose defense cuts, it will be up to Congress to enact them-or not-as it wills. The Austin American Statesman expects that the Texas congressional delegation will unite to protect Texas from the brunt of any cuts the congress decides to enact.
Texas resident Mark Whittington writes about state issues for the Yahoo! Contributor Network .
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