"It is his Whitehouse that allowed the V-22 to be added to HMX-1 without going through the grueling rigors of the VH program that Sikorsky is about to enter"
Doubt the White House had much to do with it. The MV-22s are used for 'green side' missions only, and will not carry the POTUS. Only the VXX (/VH-92) will perform 'white side' missions, with all the inevitable build/testing rigors that creating a flying Oval Office entails.
Bear in mind that the HMX-1 Phrogs that the MV-22s are replacing were themselves only a temporary fill-in following the retirement of the CH-53Es in 2011, pending the arrival of the Ospreys. No conspiracies here.
Interesting product placement for Bell-Boeing though. Even though Boeing has officially no-bid the Osprey, and even with the previously discussed downwash/footprint issues, I'm sure the V-22 will be unofficially promoted as an
off-the-shelf cab for '45' when the opportunity presents itself.
I/C