Democratic and Liberal political analysis and commentary

Not to blow my horn, 'cause you know I am so averse to self promotion but I spoke out against this deal some time ago:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080519/OPINION04/805190310/1035/

Claire:

Au Contraire! Au Contraire!

I am in full agreement with you that any US military contracts should be awarded to US companies even if they cost ten times as much.

The problem with the original Boeing contract, notwithstanding the corruption that lead to it, was that it was a lease contract. Either for budget or paygo reasons our astute lawyers in Congress, as opposed to wise accounting types, decided the way around the financial limitations was to lease the refuelers instead of buying them. The original lease period would have called for expenditures of only $6 billion, but Boeing would maintain ownership which would have meant renewing the lease, period after period after period. The maximum payout for the life of the planes was astronomical. It was clearly a really stupid contract.

McCain was right to oppose it and call for further bidding, oh that hurts. I have no love lost for McCain and will certainly not vote for him but our differences with him best be borne of sterner stuff. If all the details come out, should this become an election issue, McCain will win this one hands down.

Politics is politics but fair is fairer.

If you made it a requirement that the components are all built and assembled in the United States then niether company would have one the contract. The Boeing proposal had parts from other contries as well including Japan. Also, Boeing has never substantiated its claim that the contract would have created that many jobs. The only real difference is that the jobs that are created in different states and congressional districts. You can see that straight from the choice of quotes in the Newsday article.

The original Newsday article is full of quotes of persons saying erroneous things. In terms of your blog entry, Northrop Grumman has no French division.

Perhaps since you are so interested in this issue you will actually read the GAO report when it comes out and perhaps change your mind about "inherent corruption in military contracts"

Sorry to deflate your horn blowing Sporer, but your speaking out earlier was also full of errors.

There is no technology being exported and no manufacturing capabilities are going over sees. It will be built in Mobile, AL. Ground breaking on new plant is in a couple of weeks. Jobs are staying in US. One Example: 9,000 jobs are being created just in Florida where the program will be head quartered.