Bubbette
McCain is popular because he is seen to question, not to merely block as so many Senators do. He is not attempting to redirect the contract to another manufacturer in his district, probably because Boeing have bought or subjugated all competitors in the US.
The 135 lasted 40 years because it took a product in early lifecycle (Dash80/707 first flight 1954, KC-135A first flight 1956) and ran with it. The 767 was launched 25 years ago in 1978, by contrast. Thus it is a one generation further on (warmed over with 764ER) rather than the second generation which if the US had got off its ass before now might have been possible if 7E7 had launched already rather than wasting people's time with Sonic Cruiser FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt - as practiced by Microsoft, based in WA too...)
This is not a plea for Airbus, the 330/ 340wing concept is by no means proven and suffers from the logistical issues of airport access pointed out in the FSTA discussions on the Mil forum.
Which brings me to Akerosid, who asks us why Airbus ever expected to win. They probably didn't, but considering they were the only way a tender process could have been run (since MD-11/KC-11 is dead and owned by Boeing anyway) the least the US could have done is respected commercial confidentiality, which it is alleged they haven't done.