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Thompson Pushes for Increased Military Spending

November 13, 2007 9:36 AM

ABC News' Christine Byun Reports: In remarks at the Citadel, Republican candidate Fred Thompson today delivers a policy speech proposing military expansion "with the full recognition that national security comes at a price." Thompson also calls for better support of military workers, a group he deems the "life-blood of our defense establishment."

"The first priority of the federal government is the defense and security of its citizens, and should be reflected in everything we do in government," Thompson will say, in speech excerpts made available to ABC News.

The former Tennessee senator feels there are "major shortcomings" in the nation's defense capabilities and will propose to increase defense spending to 4.5 percent of the GDP (by Thompson's own estimates the nation currently spends about 4.1 percent.) Thompson will push for more funding for technology development to "retain dominance in the full battle space." Declaring "small increases will no longer do," he will also propose to build a "million member ground force," a plan to substantially increase active duty forces.

Thompson will also push to fix "the broken VA system" and better benefits for troops, which would include "a modern GI Bill with educational assistance."

Thompson - whose "Consistent Conservative" television ads have started running today in South Carolina - is also expected to received the endorsement of the National Right to Life Committee shortly before his address at the Citadel. He will not be in Washington DC to personally receive the official push of support.

November 13, 2007 in Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (0)

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