Tanker rivals want your support
Published 10:08 am Friday, March 14, 2008
Both sides of a contentious debate over the outcome of an Air Force tanker contract hope to shore up support as the award is up for review.
Here in Washington state, where the Boeing Co. would have built its KC-767 tanker,
Boeing workers and political leaders are finding different ways to voice their displeasure over the Pentagon picking the Northrop Grumman-EADS tanker.
On Wednesday, Boeing Machinists will stage a rally at their local hall near Boeing’s Everett factory. They’ll be joined by Gov. Chris Gregoire, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen.
Members of Washington’s Congressional delegation have spent the last two weeks speaking out whenever possible against the Air Force’s decision and have applauded Boeing’s effort to thwart the contract.
Rep. Norm Dicks appeared last night on Lou Dobbs to join the CNN host in deploring the Air Force’s action.
“I feel they’ve misled the Congress,” Dicks said.
Sen. Murray has a petition on her Web site as does U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt, who represents Kansas, where Boeing would have done finishing work on its KC-767. Tiahrt has made the rounds in the media, also appearing on Lou Dobbs’ show earlier this week and on Savage Nation.
Supporters of the Northrop-EADS’ tanker also are making noise. The duo plan to assemble their tanker, based on the Airbus A330, in Mobile, Ala. EADS also intends to final assemble Airbus A330 freighters there as well.
Members of the Mobile County Commission launched their “Come Back Home to Mobile” Website, celebrating the tanker win and lauding the prosperity it brings to Mobile. The site has a video, a support petition and the latest tanker news from the region.
