For Pentagon, More Wal-Mart, Less Gucci

Posted on Dec 9, 2008

USAF / Master Sgt. Kristen Stanley

A Lockheed Martin rep shows off an F-22 simulator. The fighter is controversial because it is unfathomably expensive and vastly superior to al-Qaida’s air force, which may or may not consist of carrier pigeons.

“It is going to be more of a Wal-Mart approach than a Gucci approach.” That’s how a senior Defense Department official, quoted in the L.A. Times, describes perennial Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ vision for Pentagon spending priorities.

Now that Gates plans to stick around in the Obama administration, he’ll have to walk the walk on spending cuts, a favorite talking point of his.

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Los Angeles Times:

Pentagon officials, meanwhile, are bracing to see how Gates translates his words into action. Many officials believe that, under President Bush, Gates “punted” on key decisions such as the competition to build a new refueling tanker and whether to halt production of the F-22.

“Now he is going to be the recipient of those punts, and he won’t be calling a fair catch,” said Geoff Morrell, Pentagon press secretary. “He is prepared to deal with them head-on.”

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