Boeing Bleats
Way back in the Tanker Saga, when the "Mk.2" RFP was issued, didn't the NG/EADS team comment that it was still so skewed towards the 767 (like RFP Mk.1) that it would not be worth their while to enter such a biased "contest"? Apparently the Committee agreed and then allowed NG/EADS to have some input, after which things proceeded as we now know.
Now Boeing complains that the playing field has been tilted ... well yes, but at least it was then pretty well level - and they still reckoned it was bound to go their way ...
Granted they could have then proposed a 777 base, but with curent airline demand, when would production slots have been available? The 767 line has only been kept "open" for the KC version, so they stuck with the "Bitza" (bitsa this 'n bitsa that), and perhaps felt that they could then charge the shut-down costs to Uncle Sam ??? (Just a thought).