Abu Muqawama, reading a Post story about the cost overruns of the Army’s/SAIC’s/Boeing’s Future Combat Systems, remarks:

SAIC’s executive vice president for government affairs, Arnold Punaro, is rumored to be the next Army Secretary. It is my understanding that Punaro is a great American, but frankly, I do not see how his potential nomination overcomes this conflict of interests.

My understanding is the Obama administration still hasn’t found an Army secretary, but who knows — maybe that’s because they’re just taking time to vet Punaro. I won’t pretend to have any great insight into the process. (Punaro is also a retired Marine general, making him an unlikely pick for the job.) But if it’s true,how could the administration hire another top defense-industry lobbyist on top of Deputy Defense Secretary Bill Lynn and still expect to be taken seriously when it comes to reforming the defense budget?

Crossposted to The Streak.