I'm sure some of them did use that argument
All I meant by my previous post was to point out that stealth got its start during the Carter administration. I believe in giving credit where credit is due. Carter started the stealth projects, Reagan continued them, and Bush (41) pushed for their production. The F-117 program was unveiled in 1989 as was the B-2. F-117 production ended by the early 1990s and the B-2's first flight was in 1989. Most of the B-2s were probably constructed during the Clinton administration. By the time the B-2 was ready to enter service, the Cold War was over so only about 21 of the planes were built.