Rep. Frank recently called for a 25% cut in defense spending. Cutting defense spending is the wrong message for a newly minted president to send to the world during a time of war. As Vice President-elect Joe Biden noted earlier this year during a primary debate, “Don’t tell me what you value, show me your budget and I will tell you what you value.”  Today, defense spending in the United States is a little more than 4% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This figure remains lower than the Cold War and Vietnam average of about 5.5%, according to a study by The Heritage Foundation.

Holding the line on defense spending would serve several purposes for the new president. First, it would send a clear message to the world that national security is Mr. Obama’s number one priority and that the will not gut the military as former President Bill Clinton did when he entered the White House in January 1993. This will lay the groundwork for an effective relationship between the Obama administration and the non-appointed civilian and military leadership in the Pentagon. Mr. Obama’s limited national security experience was viewed as his Achilles’ heel during the presidential campaign. By articulating a strong position on defense spending, he will allay concerns within the Pentagon, reassure America’s friends and allies and make clear to adversaries that his rhetoric is backed up by a well-funded United States military.

Second, Mr. Obama’s plans to increase the size of the Army by 65,000 soldiers and 27,000 Marines will require significant funding to recruit, train and equip. This expansion of ground forces, coupled with other commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan, will require Mr. Obama to maintain, if not increase, defense spending. Even if Mr. Obama proceeds with his planned withdrawal of troops in Iraq, this will likely be a slow process and will continue to require significant funding.

Third, this will show Republicans that Mr. Obama’s pledge of bipartisanship was more than a campaign promise. Republicans disillusioned from their electoral defeats will see accommodation in a decision that will benefit all stakeholders. Conservatives and Republicans will be looking for opportunities to support the new president and this issue is the perfect place to start.