Boeing and Wichita caught a major break Wednesday when the Pentagon pushed back the rebidding on the $35 billion air-refueling tanker contract to the next presidential administration. Given the mishandled initial contract with European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co./Northrop Grumman and the controversy over the skewed specifications for the rebidding, as Defense Secretary Robert Gates said, the current Pentagon “can no longer complete a competition that would be viewed as fair and objective in this highly charged environment.” But what comes after this cooling-off period for rival bidders Boeing and EADS/Northrop Grumman? A clean and impartial rebidding overseen by President John McCain, who has employed Airbus lobbyists and seemingly taken EADS’ side in the past? How much longer can the current fleet of tankers be expected to fly safely? Kansas’ congressional delegation must remain dogged on this issue, to ensure that the next bidding process is not only fair but final.
Registered?
Commenting on WE Blog now requires you to be a Kansas.com member. Use the links above to register, if you haven't already, or to log in.Contact us
Follow us
Daily Archives
-
Recent Comments
- BlueJay on Open thread 11/7
- BlueJay on Open thread 11/7
- BlueJay on Open thread 11/7
- Monkeyhawk on Open thread 11/7
- Monkeyhawk on Open thread 11/7
- Freebird1971 on Open thread 11/7
- Pleefer on Open thread 11/7
- Boxlock20 on Open thread 11/7
- Boxlock20 on Open thread 11/7
- Freebird1971 on Open thread 11/7
10 Comments
If Obama wins the contract goes to America because Obama puts America first and knows the impact the loss of manufacturing jobs can have on a community.
If McCain wins he’ll reward the lobbyists on his campaign staff who worked so hard for Airbus. He, along with Tiahrt who received thousands in donations from Airbus, and joined with Brownback and Roberts to approve outsourcing for defense contracts, will happily sign the contract over to France.
“…rebidding overseen by President John McCain who has employed Airbus lobbyists and seemingly taken EADS’ side in the past…”
Interesting how the CONs haven’t jumped on to this thread to defend John S (for Senile) McCain the Third (for Shrub’s 3rd term).
As with most CONs, they can’t deal with ambiguity.
There’s certainly a case to be made that America’s military
industrial complexinfrastructure be sustained in America.On the other hand, doesn’t the American tax-payer have a right to expect the most bang for the buck? If the French (HORRORS!) can deliver a better tanker for less money, isn’t that good government in action?
The first time through on the tanker bidding Boeing did it the good ol’ fashioned American way, with bribery. Second time through, AirBus provided added-value (larger capacity, more flexibility to use smaller airfields, etc.) and the CONs called “Foul!”
I’d prefer Boeing get the project. Just rootin’ for the home team and the many team-members whose livelihoods are at stake. But I’d also like for America’s military-industrial complex get the message that defense spending isn’t an unlimited cash cow.
Tankers that can be expected to work efficiently for another 30 years or so would be nice, too.
I want to see a comprehensive analysis of just how much domestic content each rpoposal has. Alabama is just as much a part of America and Kansas is.
My “Japanese” car was built in Ohio. Many “American” cars are built overseas. The nameplate does not make the content.
The key to keeping it fair is in “the next administration’ we’ve already seen the bias of the two candidates.
Mccain will right-shore just as many jobs as he can and make bush look like a poser.
Where the corporation in incorporated and whose tax base they contribute taxes on their profit is important. Since you didn’t buy your car with foreign money, the epectations for you and our govt.are not the same.
The contribution of product/labor for each country should be accurately described by each competitor, also the difference in the effect on taxes paid in/to america should also be revealed. With the quality/performance factors given at least equal weight.
I think Kansas will provide material for ‘what’s the matter with Kansas, part two’.
McCain has done alot to insure that France gets jobs over Kansas yet Kansas will overwhelm support McCain
Tiahrt has done a FANTASTIC job on the Tanker deal.
Tiahrt even helped the Democrats, in Congress, understand the appropriations process and the bidding process.
Without Tiahrt, this thing might already be lost.
So decide on taxes and stick to it. One of which is the matter that are prevailing in domestic content. There is absolutely no better time to trade than when the contract is released.