That wasn't some keen insight on Mitt's part. Keeping the Cold War on life support helped justify spending huge amounts of money on stuff we didn't need anymore. I saw a story recently on how the Army has more tanks than it needs, and more are being cranked out to keep a factory open. (That way the politicians can crow they saved jobs.) Not to mention surplus aircraft that go from the factory straight to the boneyard.
Deep down, some politicians are grinning like a cheshire cat at all of this. Nobody will question defense budgets, or talk cutbacks for a long time. Because, the Russkies are back! ;)