U.S. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay hold a joint press conference at the Pentagon, Sept. 28, 2012. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett
Leon Panetta: I’ll Take ‘Whatever The Hell’ I Can Get -- Politico
Leon Panetta is at the end of his rope with Congress.
“I’ll take whatever the hell deal they can make right now to deal with sequestration,” an obviously frustrated defense secretary told reporters at the Pentagon Thursday.
His assertion — nearly an outright plea — represented a slight change of tune for Panetta, who until recently had been pushing for a longer-term deficit-reduction deal.
Along with President Barack Obama, he has advocated “a balanced approach,” meaning a deal to stave off what he has called devastating cuts in defense spending with a mix of increased revenues and entitlement reforms, in addition to further spending cuts.
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More News On US Secretary Of Defense Panetta's Comments On Sequestration
Panetta Will Take 'Whatever The Hell Deal' Congress Can Make On Sequestration -- Aol Defense
Panetta’s Idea for Congress to Avoid Sequestration: ‘Whatever the Hell Deal’ -- Executive Gov
Sequestration question gets Panetta worked up -- Stars and Stripes
Panetta: We cannot maintain a strong defense if sequester is allowed to happen -- Examiner
Panetta softens sequestration stance -- The E-Ring/Foreign Policy
Panetta irate over sequestration -- Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post
My Comment: Time has a 5 part series on the impact of sequestration on the military. That link is here. Interestingly .... the Pentagon's number two man is telling his staff to not plan for budget cuts. Does he know something that we do not know .... or is this an insane policy from the Pentagon/s #2 man .... I guess we are going to find out in the next few months.