Turned off by tanker trash talk?

The discussion over the Air Force’s decision to pick Northrop Grumman-EADS’ tanker over Boeing’s for a $35 billion deal has taken a new turn: back to the playground.

The competitors have launched relentless PR campaigns as the Government Accountability Office weighs Boeing’s protest of the Air Force award. Both Boeing and Northrop-EADS hope to shore up support in Congress by appealing to the voting public.

But the tone of this latest exchange on the tanker decision misses the mark:

Boeing’s newspaper ad: It doesn’t add up.

Northrop’s Web site: It DOES add up.

This sounds more like an exchange between schoolchildren rather than multi-billion dollar companies.

“I’m the best.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Yes, I am.”
“No, you’re not.”

Both companies go on to elaborate about points that do or do not “add up.” Boeing continues to allege the Air Force made arbitrary changes that “skewed” the contest results. Northrop counters in its GAO filing that Boeing had plenty of time to bring up issues before the Air Force made its decision.

Almost a month has passed since the Air Force announced its choice. The GAO has until mid-June to weigh in. Are you already tired of tanker mud-slinging? How would you suggest the companies get their messages out?