Who Runs Gov

GOP Senator James Inhofe has made a big splash by aggressively attacking Defense Secretary Robert Gates‘ proposed overhaul of the Pentagon budget, claiming it shows that Obama is “disarming America.”

In his comments, which are being hailed on the right, Inhofe accused Obama of endangering troops, which he said was “unbelievable” and “unconscionable.”

Turns out, though, that Inhofe may have another reason for his ire: Gates’ overhaul puts a major defense contract in Inhofe’s state, one he’s heavily invested in politically, on the chopping block. And it’s one that had been targeted for elimination during the 2008 campaign by none other than John McCain.

Gates’ budget calls for the restructuring of the so-called Future Combat Systems, on the grounds that the design is questionable and out of sync with current military realities.

According to the Oklahoman, part of this program was pushed into production in Oklahoma six years ago by Inhofe, who has since kept its funding secure. And this is a massive project: The Oklahoman reports that production was to cost $500 million over the next three years.

In July of 2008, the McCain campaign, as part of a budget-balancing proposal, called for the scrapping of this very program.

To be clear, it’s possible that Inhofe can be irate about this program’s loss and think Obama is “disarming America.” Nonetheless, this seems like indispensable context if you really want to understand what Inohfe is up to with his criticism.

Thanks to our reporter, Beth Marlowe, for help running all this down.

Update: Edited slightly for accuracy.

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