Merci McCain: The Background

Throughout his career, Sen. John McCain has led a crusade against the American worker. A key example is his work to allow the Department of Defense to use companies that operate overseas, rather than here in America. One result is that a $35 billion contract for Air Force tankers has been awarded to the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company, the parent company of Airbus, instead of to Boeing, an American competitor.

Read more on The Facts About McCain and Airbus.

The Campaign for America's Future has released a 30-second video criticizing McCain's role in this deal. Here's the frame-by-frame support for the video's assertions.


THE AD THE FACTS
On Screen: A message of thanks to John McCain from the French People. Boeing Announced It Will Formally Protest The $35 Billion EADS Contract. The Baltimore Sun reported that "Chicago-based Boeing Co. just announced they will formally protest the Air Force decision to award a $35 billion contract to a consortium led by Northrop Grumman and the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co."- the parent company of Airbus-"to overhaul the service's aerial refueling tanker fleet." Jim McNerney, chairman of Boeing, said, "Our team has taken a very close look at the tanker decision and found serious flaws in the process that we believe warrant appeal." [Baltimore Sun, 3/10/08]

Announcer: "A big thank you to John McCain. Thanks for all the jobs!"

On Screen: John McCain pictured in front of the Arc de Triomphe, with throngs of French supporters under the French flag, and a banner hanging from the arc that reads, "John McCain, hero of France."

 McCain Wrote The Law That Allows Defense Contracts To Be Awarded To Foreign Companies. In 2004, McCain proposed and voted for an amendment to allow the Secretary of Defense to waive the application of any domestic source requirements with respect to items that are grown, reprocessed, reused, produced or manufactured in seven foreign countries that have a "declaration of principles" with the United States. The amendment passed 54-46. [S 2400, Vote #135, 6/22/04]

Announcer: "Thanks for helping the American military choose a French company, Airbus."

On Screen: An Airbus A-380 flies across the screen in front of the Eiffel Tower with a banner attached that says "Thanks for the American jobs." McCain is giving a speech in front of the Eiffel Tower.

McCain and Top Advisers Have a Long-Time Involvement in Tanker Deal. The Associated Press reported that "top current advisers to Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign last year lobbied" for EADS, "taking sides in a bidding fight that McCain has tried to referee for more than five years." The same story said that McCain had a leading role in prohibiting the Air Force from factoring in government subsidies to EADS, the subject of complains the United States government made to the World Trade Organization. [Associated Press, 3/11/08] Furthermore, McCain received $14,000 in campaign contributions from EADS employees, more than any member of Congress. [Associated Press, 3/11/08]

Announcer: "Tens of thousands of jobs for the French, and thousands fewer for Americans… ha ha ha!"

On Screen: An enormous Airbus A-340 appears to be flying over the Louvre museum. John and Cindy McCain are pictured in front of throngs of French supporters holding placards that read 'John McCain: The voice of France,' and 'Long Live John McCain.'

Announcer: "It's a good day to be French!"

 Boeing Contract Would Have Meant American Jobs. According to MSNBC, "The company said a win would have supported 44,000 new and existing jobs at Boeing and more than 300 suppliers in more than 40 states." [MSNBC, 3/10/08]
Announcer: "It's a great day for France!"

On Screen: John McCain seated at a French Café with beret and baguette. A supporter stands behind him with a placard that reads: 'Thanks for All The Jobs!'

Announcer: "Long Live John McCain and Long Live France!"

 Airbus Deal Is Under Bipartisan Condemnation in Congress. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., called the Airbus contract "a European stimulus plan subsidized by the American taxpayer" and said, "We need to be investing in the American aerospace industry and the high-wage, high-skill jobs it supports. [Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 3/4/08]. Even a McCain supporter, Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan., said, "We should have an American tanker built by an American company with American workers. I cannot believe we would create French jobs in place of Kansas jobs." [Forbes, 3/3/08]
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