I suspect past performance was a major consideration. Boeing is over budget & schedule as lead contractor on missile space station, future combat systems, missile defense, etc. They're very unethical --caught with Raytheon proprietary info, had launch contracts cancelled by the AF due to a major scandal, had execs go to jail over the first tanker fiasco. I'm a Ron Paul man myself, but do credit McCain for stopping the first tanker scam. As it is Boeing has the best politicians / PR machine money can buy...how they went from villan to victim is amazing.

yea, alabamians can keep a secret.... the ones about inscest with their sisters!!!

Just one more instance of selling out America just a little at a time. I was military 32 years, USAF, aircraft maintenance. Never did like any Northrup products. If it aint Boing, I ain't going. Bidwell Boeing.

In the previous deal for leased tankers from Boeing, it was not Boeing bribing the Air Force, but the Air Force demanding jobs that made the deal go bad.

As to McCain, simply look at the fact that 5 of his camaign staff we lobbists for EADS/Airbus. McCain is nothing but a crook and a liar.

Finally, in the latest contest round, the criteria was changed during the middle of the contest without informing Boeing of the change in rating. This is veified by the GAO ruling

Any new competetion, must be equal in rating/costs.

I am a Boeing Worker. Some of the quotes in the ad's do have truth. But most Corporates are unethical in hind sight, but I feel that to have double standards in your ads shows the lack of knowledge and understanding. e.g. The name of this groud is "Alabamians for America's Tankers" well the plane will be built in Europe by EADS/Airbus and the Top Secret stuff will be worked by Northrup. So yes they will be America's Tankers but not "Made in the USA". Another point is the unethical standard (double standard this time)of the Airforce picking Northrup the 2nd time. Why would I take a bid for a Refueler that doesn't refuel all my military aircraft when the other bid does, amoung other items that bare direct conflict on this topic. That is why the Attorny General is going for another bid without the Airforce involved. The Airforce also changed requirements after the bids were in. So just keep in mind that you must have all views and knowledge of both sides before making your best decision. Again grant it they have a point about the 1st contract, (Which was the airforce's doing mostly for the 1st contract) but this 2nd time around the airforce wasn't fair again. And I know Boeing is hard at work improving Ethical situations inside and out. I feel they were fair in this 2nd bid and worked hard to be fair. They do not chanllenge a bid, unless they have merit and this time they do. Thank You...

The tanker ads being run by the Alabamians are an unfair attack against a good company with good people and are an insult to the values of this nation, NG, and EADS. The actions of one or two do not make an entire company unethical, or crooked, or espionage activists. . . I could cite names from NG for the same kinds of errors committed by individuals - or the latest scandal that has hit the papers regards EADS. . . .these things happen in large companies but don't apply to the rest of the workforce - no organization is squeaky clean but we do what we can to minimize the impacts. Notice that the people involved are no longer employed by either company. Boeing had a legal right to protest and the protest was upheld. . .not because Boeing paid anyone off - but because of flaws in the process. If this group has to resort to viscious attacks against Boeing to make themselves look good, they should reconsider their approach - they are hurting their cause rather than helping it and confirming their desperation. Unless NG denounces the ads, I will have lost any respect for NG, EADS, and as well as Alabama and its leadership. My vote is to let the process work and play fair.

Like someone above said, they will be built over there in sections. Then they will be snapped together in the south. Do those southerners actually think that ng or eads will let them build the critical parts of the planes? I have nothing against the southerners, but many people who have been there, when they get back, they shake their heads and say those poor people just do not understand the world.

I'd like to ask Maria Cantdrill and the other idiots of the Washington Congressional delegation? Where were you when Boeing was sending triple seven parts all over the word to be built? And the Dreamliner? And that fact that all you scum are the biggest supporters of illegal aliens in the United States?

Ah the hipocrisy of the Liberal Fascist Union of the United States. All of you should be impeached for treason!

If the gao ruled the competition was unfairly done the first time and now they want a bigger tanker,and will not give Boeing time to get the 777 ready, what do they expect the gao to do again but reject it? If that is the case we should get people who can think and make what should be middle school decisions.

I am so blasted angry I could spit nails. For one thing there is no assembly plant in operation for those planes up and operating. And would take at least two or more years to build. Secondly, Boeing already has the equipment and facilities to build such planes. People in Alabama need to realize that nothing is perfect with any type of new aircraft. Unforseen problems do pop up and delay delivery of aircraft. QUIT WHINING.