Trump Says Wisconsin Shipyard's 'Location' Swayed Navy's Frigate Award

[jpak]

https://www.defenseone.com/politics/2020/06/trump-says-wisconsin-shipyards-location-swayed-navys-frigate-award/166460/

The U.S. Navy picked Fincantieri Marinette Marine to build its new $5.5 billion frigate, in part, because the shipmaker is located in Wisconsin, President Donald Trump said Thursday.

The Navy chose the company over three rival shipmakers to build the new frigate in April, months ahead of schedule. Service officials attributed the early decision to acquisition reforms, not politics.

“I hear the maneuverability is one of the big factors that you were chosen for the contract,” Trump said at an afternoon speech to shipyard workers. “The other is your location in Wisconsin, if you want to know the truth.”

In 2016, Trump narrowly edged out Hillary Clinton to take Wisconsin’s 10 Electoral College votes. In a June 18 Marquette Law School poll, the president trailed presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden by nearly 10 points.

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[VMA131Marine]

1. Well Trump just invited a challenge to the contract award

from the other bidders.
How stupid is he!

[Wellstone ruled]

2. No Donnie,

it was the Wisconsin Delegation that won that contract.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

3. Surely this $5.5 billion is for 10 ships, not for only a single frigate?

[33taw]

4. Marionette county has been red for decades. Not a lot of gain there.

[sir pball]

5. I take it nobody told him Fincantieri

Is an Italian company...

[TreasonousBastard]

6. Someone explain to me why we build ships of the line on a lake? To get them out of there, they...

have to navigate the St. Lawrence Seaway, which is jointly run by the US and Canada. And a large part of it is in Canada.

Besides talking to Canada about warship trials in Lake Superior, and then transporting them past Montreal to the ocean, the St.. Lawrence is closed to navigation in the winter. Rivers and canals freeze when it's cold.

(When I was in the business, we used to have a raffle with the opening and closing dates)

So, who got paid off to award this contract to an Italian firm when we have Atlantic and Gulf shipyards who could do the work?

[eppur_se_muova]

7. By which he meant "location in a state I need for the Electoral College vote", of course.

Not anything at all like a bribe.