Few people noticed it but Ashton Carter was confirmed as Deputy Defense Secretary. Via AFA...
Carter Gets Senate Nod: The Senate last week unanimously confirmed Ash Carter
as the next deputy defense secretary. Carter, who has been the
Pentagon's acquisition executive since April 2009, will replace Bill
Lynn, who is stepping down after serving in the Defense Department's No.
2 post since February 2009. "Ash has a steady hand, a keen intellect,
and an effective management style that will help this department keep
faith with our troops and protect our nation," said Defense Secretary
Leon Panetta in the DOD release
announcing Carter's confirmation. Panetta added, "He is already an
essential part of my team as an outstanding undersecretary of defense,
and I look forward to his continued guidance and leadership as he
assumes his new responsibilities." President Obama nominated Carter for the post in early August.
So where does that leave the leadership of the DOD?
Panetta is solidly behind the F-35...in statements at least. Carter has been the point man when it comes to defending the program. The Commandant of the Marine Corps is behind it...The Navy is wavering but appear to be cautiously optimistic---if it works (and it will) then they'll be clamoring for it. And the USAF has no other options.
The Senate can play all the games that they like but in the end, who is going to want to risk middle class jobs that will result from defense cuts? Same applies to the House.
And we haven't even talked China yet.
The program is safe and the naysayers are spitting in the wind.