The public in the United States has in the past been
conditioned to support a substantial defense budget by
the threat of confrontation with the Eastern bloc. Now
that that threat is dissolving, along with the Eastern
bloc itself, it is doubtful whether the public can be
persuaded to support an adequate defense budget.
Which one of the following indicates a weakness in
the position expressed above?
(A) It presupposes that public opinion can be
manipulated indefinitely, without the public’s
becoming aware of that manipulation.
(B) It refers to past and present events that do not
have a causal connection with public support
of the budget.
(C) It assumes as fact what it seeks to establish by
reasoning.
(D) It fails to give any reason for the judgment it
reaches.
(E) It hinges on the term “adequate,” the precise
meaning of which requires reevaluation in the
new context.
