Yesterday, Shelby slammed the fact that Boeing is now the sole bidder for a multi-billion dollar tanker deal. Northrop- which was going to bring over 1,000 jobs to Mobile, Alabama if it received the contract- dropped its bidding attempts, and both Shelby and Alabama’s other senator, Jeff Sessions, joined the state’s governor in claiming politics caused Northrop to drop their bidding.

Objectively speaking, this is a really interesting scenario. Shelby is infamous for earmarks, and this certainly is a case of trying to get earmarks for his state. What is interesting, however, is that when I called Shelby’s office on behalf of Conservative Congress, his Communications Director informed me that Northrop had a lower price, and so the real issue for Shelby was trying to save the taxpayers money.

I doubt that Shelby was simply being Mr. Efficient with our tax dollars in trying to get Northrop the deal. However, given the charges of political gaming he is bringing, and assuming his Communications Director was telling me the truth, perhaps those of us who hammered Shelby owe him a partial apology.

I found out today- completely by accident, by talking to a random woman I ran into on the sidewalk- that Northrop has a location two or so blocks from my apartment complex. I think I may visit them, and request an interview. This should be very interesting.