I belive Dick Cheney is superbly qualified to be Vice President. He has run the Defense Department. He has run the White House as Chief of Staff. He has served in Congress. And he has run a major corporation.
Government spending is always about setting priorities.
America does need to remain strong, but even in this time of prosperity, the military infrastructure has been allowed to deteriorate. Enlisted soldiers and their families live on food stamps. The Navy has been dramatically reduced. Is the Republican religious right being held back at this time as to not repeat 1996. The Republican Party is more broadly-based at this time than any time in the past.