Governors’ coalition touts Boeing tanker

Gov. Chris Gregoire and governors from seven other states have formed a coalition to push for the Boeing Co. to win the Air Force tanker contract.

Herald politics reporter Jerry Cornfield first noted the coalition in his Q &A session with the governor last week.

Gregoire will be in Washington, D.C., next week to “make the case for an all-American refueling tanker,” according to a press statement.

Boeing is competing against duo Northrop Grumman and EADS for the multi-billion dollar deal.

“Awarding the refueling tanker contract to Boeing will provide work for 40,000 to 50,000 people all across the country at a time when the national economy is still struggling mightily,” Gregoire said.

Joining Gregoire in the coalition are Governors Mark Parkinson of Kansas, Jodi Rell from Connecticut, Chet Culver of Iowa, John Baldacci of Maine, Jay Nixon of Missouri, Ted Kulongoski of Oregon and Gary Herbert of Utah.

Northrop and EADS have a coalition in their corner, too. The Aerospace Alliance includes government and business leaders from the Gulf Coast, including the states of Alabama (where the Northrop-EADS tanker would be built), Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida.