The debate about how big the Navy should be has been going on for centuries. “[W]ithout a Respectable Navy, Alas America!” declared John Paul Jones — in 1776. Opinions differ now, just as they did then, both as to how many ships the country needs, and how many it can afford. So we won’t try to settle either question here.

But the fact remains, Romney’s claim is inaccurate. The Navy is bigger now than it was under Bush. And the capability of the Navy’s ships — as well as the Navy’s mission — is much different than in 1917.