McCain would be "more feared" by Pentagon

WASHINGTON — For decades, the Pentagon has identified steadfastly with the priorities and values of the Republican Party. So the brass should be reveling in the presidential campaign of John McCain.

Yet, in a culture that typically prefers one of its own, many are wary of the Vietnam War hero.

McCain, a former Navy officer and prisoner of war, would arrive in the White House with more military experience than any president since Dwight Eisenhower. But he also would bring a long congressional career as an outspoken critic of the Pentagon — prone to harsh assessments of its spending practices, weapons programs and military leaders.

Defenders of some of the Pentagon's biggest weapons systems worry that if McCain were elected, he would order sweeping changes, killing a number of big-ticket programs. Perhaps unlike other civilian leaders, McCain would be able to draw on his experience and knowledge of the military to reject the advice of generals and admirals.

"He is more feared in the Pentagon because he is impervious to the usual methods the military uses to roll the civilian leadership," a senior Defense official said.

McCain "knows where the bodies are buried," the senior official said, referring to the GOP nominee's understanding of weapons programs.

Some top officers are disillusioned over how President Bush has used the military, and they cheer the prospect of the sweeping reforms McCain might bring. Others are skeptical, believing the former Navy fighter pilot would show a bias against the Air Force. They wonder whether Democrat Barack Obama would be a safer choice.

Fans of McCain — and there are many, especially within the Navy — say he is best-equipped to reform the business of the Pentagon, changing how weapons systems are selected and paid for.

But some officials have speculated that McCain would try to reshuffle funding — but with the Air Force coming out the loser.

In 2001, McCain was highly critical of the Air Force over what he said was a wasteful deal to lease refueling tankers from Boeing.

The Pentagon canceled the contract, and a new bidding competition has been put on hold. But some Air Force officers fear that a McCain presidency would punish them over the tankers and other controversial aircraft programs. They also worry that the former Navy pilot could favor that military branch.