Rumsfeld Says We Can't Make Humvees Any Faster; The Manufacturer Says Otherwise

Remember the soldier asking Rumsfeld last week why the men in Iraq have to weld junk metal to their vehicles to serve as armor, since they don't have enough armored Humvees? (And people have been talking about this for a while.)

Here's Rumsfeld's response: "It's essentially a matter of physics; it isn't a matter of money..." He claims that these Humvees just can't be made any faster; he'd love to send some more to Iraq, but it's physically impossible. Really?

According to NPR's Chris Arnold, the defense contractor who produces armored Humvees for the military says it could produce more if asked. Robert Mcredy, president of the Aerospace and Defense Group of Armor Holdings (Jacksonville, Florida) says his company could produce another 50 to 100 more armored Humvees per month. He says he's told his customer, the U.S. military, of his capability, and is just waiting for more orders. [Link]

And for those of you missed my last post, the $30 million being spent on Bush's inauguration could fund the production of 200 of these armored Humvees.

So which is it, Rummy? Still a matter of physics or money? Or is it just a question of priorities?