Julian Zelizer : A massive political fight over defense spending is about to take place . Zelizer : Republicans are trying to figure out what their position should be after election loss . With two consecutive losses in presidential elections and approval ratings in the tank , the party leadership is trying to figure out how to broaden rather than contract their electoral coalition . He says in decades past , the GOP was not an advocate for expansion of military spending . Zelizer : The debate has been framed as a choice between two visions of America's role in world affairs -- one that emphasizes diplomacy and development while the other focuses on deterrence and defense.
Julian Zelizer : A massive political fight over defense spending is about to take place . Zelizer : Republicans are trying to figure out what their position should be after election loss . He says in decades past , the GOP was not an advocate for expansion of military spending . Zelizer : The debate has been framed as a choice between two visions of America's role in world affairs -- one that emphasizes diplomacy and development while the other focuses on deterrence and defense.