McCain's anger over the Presidential Helicoptors .... please

[Botany]

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/23316912/makebelieve_maverick/print

he got $7 billion for an unneeded aircraft carrier in 1978


<In 1977, McCain was promoted to captain and became the Navy's liaison to the Senate — the same politically connected post once occupied by his father. He took advantage of the position to buddy up to young senators like Gary Hart, William Cohen and Joe Biden. He was also taken under the wing of another friend of his father: Sen. John Tower, the powerful Texas Republican who would become his political mentor. Despite the promotion, McCain continued his adolescent carousing: On a diplomatic trip to Saudi Arabia with Tower, he tried to get some tourists he disliked in trouble with the authorities by littering the room-service trays outside their door with empty bottles of alcohol.

As the Navy's top lobbyist, McCain was supposed to carry out the bidding of the secretary of the Navy. But in 1978 he went off the reservation. Vietnam was over, and the Carter administration, cutting costs, had decided against spending $2 billion to replace the aging carrier Midway. The secretary agreed with the administration's decision. Readiness would not be affected. The only reason to replace the carrier — at a cost of nearly $7 billion in today's dollars — was pork-barrel politics.>

[spanone]

1. bu$h* ordered these helicopters, not President Obama

[cherokeeprogressive]

9. All the more reason for President Obama to quash the order. n/t

[Historic NY]

2. He is so disingenuous of course if he was in the WH it wouldn't be a problem.

The choppers were contracted for by the past administration..the contract was yanked from the long standing manufacturer Sikorsky.

[liberal N proud]

3. McCain is a bitter old man over his loss in November

He is striking out at Obama in anger.

I love the way Obama responded though

[pretty]

4. what's the cost of all the planes he crashed?

:shrug:

[AtomicKitten]

5. The helicopters were ordered under BushCo so he should take it up with them. n/t

[GiveMeFreedom]

6. did you here what McCain said?

When the discussion was opened by Obama, he called on Senator McCain first. What did John say, he said "MR. President" and I think that was a political maneuver by Obama to remind John and the repubs they lost. I imagine John hates to say it, and Obama loves to here John say it. Kinda of in his face and a public venue on national television. As far as the heli goes, I could care less.

[grasswire]

8. yes, someone on TV remarked on the theater of it all

That Obama was standing and in charge, and members of Congress were seated and "advisory". Meant to convey who the boss is. Damn smart, IMO.

[grasswire]

7. this may seem silly but....

...I've been watching that new TV series called "Lie To Me" where they show real life examples of body language and facial expressions as these characters try to solve crimes using that kind of recognition of intent and motives. Last week it was a plot to assassinate a South Korean dignitary at his wedding. In trying to predict who at the wedding was the potential killer, they showed photos of real people in that circumstance: a look in the eyes, a contorted face, a twisted appearance of intent to kill.

I was jolted yesterday to see a photo of McCain at that Obama event yesterday, with that same kind of expression on his face! Wow! I know this is silly, but it was stunning to see.

[sinkingfeeling]

10. Wasn't Obama's idea to have them built, but he and McCain did argue some about this program on the

campaign trail last July.
http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2008/07/18/1677010-mccain-obama-hedge-on-costly-new-marine-one

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-28-presidential-helicopter_x.htm

Posted 1/28/2005 5:29 PM

Lockheed Martin wins presidential helicopter contract
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lockheed Martin will build the new presidential helicopter fleet, the Navy announced Friday, putting an end to a fierce competition that had both political and international overtones.
The White House had pushed for a new Marine One fleet. The president "needs a more survivable helicopter while the nation engages in the global war on terrorism," said John Young, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, in making the announcement.