The Levin-McCain Amendment against the F-22 passes,

[TayTay]

The Levin McCain Amendment that supports President Obama's request that $1.75 billion dollars in funding for 7 additional F-22's passed in the Senate by a vote of 58-40. Senator Kerry joined the majority in voting AYE for the Amendment and to defund the plane.

Well, sometimes people surprise you.

[karynnj]

1. I was actually more surprised that he intended to vote for something he

clearly knew was unnecessary - but thought it might be that he was concerned for the people who will lose jobs.

[karynnj]

2. Kerry explains his decision

(I skipped the first paragraph, which refers to Kerry as the senior senator from MA. to comply with the 4 paragraph rule.)
So this starts with Kerry's statement.

Months ago, the Massachusetts Air National Guard conveyed to me their concerns that their aging aircraft will compromise their ability to complete their mission in the future and I've also had a longstanding concern about our industrial capacity in Massachusetts in the event that funding for important technologies is interrupted.

I called Secretary Gates last week and yesterday we had a productive discussion in which he assured me of three key and persuasive facts: that the Pentagon’s shift in resources and priorities will have no adverse affects on Massachusetts workers whose skills are transferable from the F-22 to the F-35, that there will be no shortage of planes or equipment for the Massachusetts Air National Guard’s mission, and in fact that production of the F-35 could generate additional jobs for our experienced workforce.

I understand the Pentagon’s need to reorganize its resources and I take Secretary Gates at his word that our state will not be harmed in the process. I was also persuaded by the arguments made by the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the former Secretary of Defense, and the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee that additional F-22 aircraft are unnecessary. For those reasons, I decided to support the Levin Amendment, and will remain vigilant in ensuring the needs of the Massachusetts Air National Guard are always met in policy planning.

Does Kerry really think the needs of the Massashusetts Air National Guard are so critical--especially when Gates is pleading that the national interest requires an end to the F-22 program? Somehow I doubt it. This is all about the jobs. But good for Kerry that he took the high road here.





http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2009/07/21/john-kerry-on-the-f-22.aspx

[sandnsea]

3. They're ordering over 2,000 F-35s

From what I understand from an article I read earlier. I think they are continuing with F-22's already on order as well. Really, these 7 planes don't seem to amount to much to me. Except for that billion dollars here and billion dollars there adding up to real money.

[wisteria]

4. I suppose this was for the best. It seems wasteful to continue producing something no longer needed.

I hope though,that no jobs are lost because of this vote.

[beachmom]

5. Don't everyone kill me but .... he was for it before he was against it??

LOL. Glad he switched and did the right thing.

[wisteria]

6. I can't disagree, but it is a mature and thoughful leader who realizes he was wrong when faced with

truths, and changes his opinion.

[karynnj]

7. that was my husband's first comment too - I only thought it

I think that was why he gave such a detailed comment. It seemed like he wanted to point to something changing. I am happy he did though.