Modern Elmo -
Bloviation and attacks are not a very good substitute for facts.
"F-16 and F/A-18 class" flight performance are the basis for the JSF KPPs in those areas. Two of the F-35 variants are 7 g aircraft, wing loading and T/W are no advance on the Viper and Hornet, top speed is M=1.6, acceleration KPPs are unspectacular - why is it wrong to say so?
Eurofighter has made a logical case that while stealth is valuable, it also costs - in weight, complexity and money. The F/A-18 community advertises a doctrine of balanced survivability, including observables, reduced vulnerability, situational awareness and jamming. They are competitors, but you might want to challenge the basis of the argument rather than simply dismiss all criticism as unqualified.
There are clearly reasons in very recent history for the AF's official, public statements to reflect the SecDef's current line. And are you implying that the Air Force speaks as one on all issues? I would call that viewpoint naive at best.