Documents: Boeing lobbied for tanker deal

WASHINGTON -- Boeing Co. has aggressively sought help from the White House and Air Force to try to win congressional approval for a multibillion-dollar leasing program for 100 refueling tanker planes, according to internal company documents made public Saturday.

The documents include company e-mails and other communications dating back to 2001 and were released by the Senate Commerce Committee, whose chairman, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is a staunch critic of the military's plan.

McCain contends the lease is a sweetheart deal for Chicago-based Boeing, which has been hurt by plunging commercial aircraft sales.

The Air Force has acknowledged the leasing deal would cost more than buying the planes outright. But it argues that leasing would speed replacement of aging air tankers and keep money available in the short run to buy other military equipment.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2003/08/30/documents_boeing_lobbied_for_tanker_deal/

Bush, wheeling and dealing with the big boys. (sing- She's so fine, there's no telling where the money went!)