Lots of comments from politicians around the country following Wednesday’s ruling by the GAO that upheld Boeing’s protest that the bidding process on the tanker contract was flawed. The best, though, might have come from Alabama Gov. Bob Riley. He reportedly was in an editorial board meeting at Bloomberg News headquarters in New York when word of the decision came down. His response: “Oh, God, that’s not good.”
Earlier, he told the editorial board that it would take “an absolute nutcase” to think Boeing’s tanker bid was better than the one offered by Northrop Grumman/EADS. Apparently Gov. Riley has already met members of our Congressional delegation.
Most of the complaints from the Gulf Coast, where Airbus plans to build the new tanker, concern the delays that will be caused by Boeing’s protest. There also are complaints that politics are playing a role in the bidding process. Let’s see: Potential $100 billion contract being debated in Washington, D.C. with tens of thousands of jobs attached. And there are politics involved? I’m shocked, I tell you. Shocked.
Kansas and Washington lawmakers were doing the squealing when Boeing originally lost the contract. Now it’s Alabama’s turn. Just remember that this thing is a long way from over.