pentagon today announced off camera briefing it's begun preparing for sequest race, and the harm it would do to national security. >> the white house said the mood should not be read as change in commitment to reach an agreement. >> this is act in response. that were is in stark contrast to the defense contractors in october. midst of the presidential campaign to hold off on issuing a 60-day notice of potential layoffs to workers required by law. >> for to us have gone this long a period of time, without making any preparations for it, i think is a gross disservice to the american people. >> for months the pentagon officials have been speaking descriptively about the impact of the cuts. >> face the prospect of budget sequestration. that would be devastating to national security. >> more detailed look comes from the economiststein fuller at george mason university. he finds that a $45.1 million