Gordon Smith's Front Man Fronts for French, Costing Oregon 225 Jobs

The Associated Press is reporting that Gordon Smith's favorite front man, Republican Presidential nominee John McCain was involved in lobbying efforts for a European plane maker that beat Boeing to a $35 billion Air Force tanker contract, costing Oregon 225 jobs and $8 million.
"It is unacceptable that Republicans lobbied on behalf of a European company and against American workers," said House Speaker Jeff Merkley. "Gordon Smith and his friend John McCain are in Washington D.C. fighting for the French and ignoring the needs of hardworking Oregonians. This is the Smith Myth. George Bush, John McCain and Gordon Smith will not be happy until every last manufacturing job in this state has been outsourced overseas."

In the midst of an economic slowdown, with manufacturing in particular being hard-hit, this contract would help families in Oregon economy and states across the country.

As the AP reported, two of the advisers gave up their lobbying work when they joined McCain's campaign. A third, former Texas Rep. Tom Loeffler, lobbied for the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. while serving as McCain's national finance chairman.

Boeing was strongly favored to win the contract. The explanation for the decision is largely that the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS) plane is larger than the Boeing version, offering more capacity.

Posted March 11, 2008
Press