Beverly Perdue and Elizabeth Dole are taking credit for saving the state's military bases.

During the federal Base Realignment and Closure process, the Democratic lieutenant governor and the Republican U.S. senator both worked to promote the state's bases.

But the BRAC process was established to insulate decisions about base closings from the sort of political influence that the two claim to have exercised. Experts and community leaders say North Carolina was a logical place for expansion because of its location, the strategic emphases and the availability of land.

"Elected officials are going to take credit for events such as the BRAC decision when it comes out favorable, and place the blame elsewhere when it hurts their states," said Robin Dorff, a professor of national security at the U.S. Army War College. "That's a natural part of politics." 

The issue helps both Dole and Perdue, allowing them to cast themselves as pro-military, economic boosters and effective in a traditionally male arena. And some say that it's hard to gauge what would have happened if they hadn't been around. (N&O)