Without doubt, there is strong Senate support for continued C-17 production. The vote on a plan to authorize the purchase of 42 more airlifters (DR, 11/11/05) passed by an overwhelming bipartisan margin—89 senators voted “yea.” Did you notice, though, who was among the lonely eight “no” votes? None other than Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a leading 2008 Presidential contender. At least five potential Democratic candidates voted for the C-17. They were: Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York; Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware; Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts; Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana; and Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut. Quite a case of political cross-dressing.
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
