Did John McCain deny Boeing a $100 billion contract for an Alabama endorsement?

I'm getting fairly used to your politics, but this is really bad even for you, Mr. Cohan.

First, Northrop Grumman is headquartered in LA. So, should we expect Diane Feinstein to back McCain now? I'm not hearing any appreciative democrats speaking up from California; just one angry one in Chicago (where BA is headquartered but has absolutely no manufacturing).

Second, people went to jail over that "earlier deal that would have let Boeing build the next generation of Air Force refueling tankers." that McCain "scuttled". Are you suggesting that McCain should not have done anything to address blatant corruption in the USAF procurement process? If so, this is surely a case if "damned if you do, damned if you don't". The left frequently complains about the coziness of defense contractors with politicians ("Military Industrial Complex", they like to say), yet when someone steps in to stop one of the most egregious examples, he still draws fire.

Third, which is more important: That the military gets the best equipment for its money, or that military procurement be nothing more than a jobs program? If the AF is supposed to include the location of the jobs as a factor in its decision (it explicitly isn't), then congress should just be open about it and mandate it. The Air Force is pretty good about doing what it is required to by law. But to say that they must have an "open and fair" competition, so long as only the US company wins, is just asinine.

Fourth, Boeing lost fair-and-square after if it got caught trying to rig the fight the first time. The 767 is a 25 year old design whose commercial life is in its twilight and hasn't faired well in the commercial market for quite some time. Since 2000, Boeing has received orders for 142 767s whereas Airbus received orders for 389 A330s. Additionally, Boeing's 767 tanker has already lost to the A330 tanker in two other competitions when Australia and the UK selected their new tankers. Those two programs also gave EADS a leg up in that production for the A330 tanker is pretty far along as they already have one flying and undergoing flight testing. All told, I have little doubt that the Air Force made the right decision for the needs of the military.

Fifth, are jobs in the SE worth less than jobs in the NW? Boeing has very strong order books for its 777, 737NG, and 787 lines and I expect their next 747 variant will be well received. The US will now be bringing some of EAD's manufacturing home, which may very well lead to additional manufacturing of Airbus aircraft in the United States for commercial customers in the long run (it would be a nice currency hedge for Airbus to do so).

Lastly, your method of using implications to create doubt because you have absolutely nothing to back up any outright claims is completely unbefitting a man of your stature and position. I suggest you step back and consider if this is the type of writing you really want to develop a reputation for. At least be aware of it the next time you chastise a conservative for using the exact same tactics.

Massachusetts liberals will say anything to:
1. Elect a democrat
2. Self promote themselves

My suggestion is that as a professor you stick to topics that you actually research as respected professors do. Shame on AOL media for supporting frauds like Peter Cohan.

Pure politics by the defeatest! They can't even deliver the Dreamliner on time or budget, but can quickly blame others for there faults. If they can't deliver on the major Dreamliner then how can they deliver on the tanker. Who is kidding who?

YOU WOULD THINK THAT THIS REPUBLICAN HOOKER. WHO, USED TO GO AROUND ACTING LIKE
HE WAS NOT LIKE THE REST OF THE REPUBLICAN HOOKERS. WOULD AT LEAST IN A RECESSION WOULD THINK OF THE AMERICAN WORKER, INSTEAD OF HIS SUPER RICH SUGAR DADDIES.

just another way stupid liberal (socialists) are trying to rig the election cause they can win on a straight out campaign.
Why cant any one realize that liberals are a detriment to our great society, and they do not understand the principles of our freedom, and should therefore be tried for treason.

I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs.
Thomas Jefferson, Letter

here comes the liberal press. now that mccain is the conservative nominee apparent we're going to see the liberal press go after him all the time. get ready folks!!

i have an idea lets send american jobs OVERSEAS and then give americans a tax GIFT when there mortgage gets foreclosed

Mccain is asleep at the wheel like the rest of the government, they go home to Cushy mansions while the rest of us suffer,,period

There's no question that the Northrup-Grumman/EADS aircraft has more capacity. The problem is that the requirements were changed after the original RFP was released so that the very large N-G/EADS entrant would not be disqualified. Originally, the Air Force asked for a mid-sized plane due to the need to fly to remote airfields. This would have excluded the N-G/EADS tanker. Under pressure from John McCain to have two competitors, and N-G/EADS threatening to withdraw, the Air Force changed the requirements to allow the N-G/EADS to enter the race. They also gave extra credit for capacity above the stated requirements. By then, Boeing had committed to the 767 aircraft instead of going to a 777 based tanker. This is the crux of the problem that Boeing will likely use to file a protest.

The jobs in Europe versus the United States is political theatrics, but the changed requirements are a result of one well placed individual demanding two competitors. N-G/EADS was clever enough to use the situation to their advantage and walk away with a win.

Ive been a Republican for many years, and what good has it done this country? No good the economy is horrible, inflation is horrible, people are losing jobs. The war is a waste of lives and money. These people have been killing each other for century's, no way will we ever stop them. Needless to say I'm voting Democrat. McCaine is a war monger.

I am a democrat from Mobile. I have found that influence is only acceptable when you are the one recieving benefits. Having said that, John McCain only won the area of Mobile in Alabama. Boeing is firmly entrenced in the Northern part of Alabama which Huckabee won. And Obama won the Dem, with a respectable white showing.
Do not judge us so harshly. We all need jobs!