Wrong Reasons for the Right Thing

Some time ago, I assumed that the Obama administration would sell Taiwan new F-16s to provide jobs in states that President Obama needs to win re-election, even if they didn't appreciate the wisdom of doing so. So the decision to simply upgrade fighters sold during Bush 41's tenure (sold with no small eye on his own re-election, I'll add) was a shock to me.

But perhaps re-election chances looked better from the Oval Office than they do now. We sent a letter to congress regarding Taiwan to say the sales office is open:

The administration of President Barack Obama is raising the possibility that it could sell new jet fighter aircraft to Taiwan to help redress the island's air power deficit with China.

If the move goes through, it would infuriate Beijing, which claims the democratic island as its territory and regards all foreign defense sales there as interference in its affairs.

Interestingly enough, the article raises the possibility that F-35s might be sold.

One, I doubt Taiwan would spend the money on that plane. And two, given that China would "infuriate" China, I imagine the Obama administration will sell older (but still good) F-16s and tell China it could have been worse.

But the ability to stand before a crowd of fighter assembly workers and engineers in the fall to proclaim X number of jobs secured for years to come would be priceless to the administration.

Whatever. Just get the planes to Taiwan.

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