UPDATED McCain mum on prospects of F-22 defeat

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) could not predict if the Senate would vote to keep or strip funding for the controversial F-22 fighter project on Tuesday.

Senate Democrats are Republicans will likely split their votes on an amendment to the 2010 defense authorization bill that would eliminate $1.75 billion for seven additional F-22 jets. President Barack Obama has vowed to veto any defense bill that reached his desk with the funds included in it.

Democratic leaders in the Senate have also endorsed the amendment.

McCain, who supports the amendment, tweeted in response to ABC’s Jake Tapper:

so @senjohnmccan whats going to happen with the F-22 Senate vote today? do u have the votes?

@jaketapper I never count votes Jake, but it appears to be close

@SenJohnMcCain is “jobs” the most compelling issue for your opponents?

@jaketapper Yes, but also argue capability – despite the fact it’s never been used in Iraq or Afghanistan

McCain argued that senators who represent states that help build the F-22 are wary to vote against it, fearing that they might be criticized for killing jobs in their states.

Several key senators, such as Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), seek to nix the amendment. Dodd’s state is home to the Pratt & Whitney plant that manufactures the F-22 engines and Lockheed-Martin’s F-22 plant is located in Chambliss’ state.

McCain added:

@jaketapper Jake, look at the where the “jobs” are and who is voting for the F-22…

The 2008 Republican presidential nominee also suggested that the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Defense Department, and Air Force officials formed a consensus to stop the construction of more F-22s. McCain responded to Tapper, tweeting:

@SenJohnMcCain Chambliss seems to rely on Air Force officials a great deal for his arguments – does USAF disagree w/Gates + Mullen?

@jaketapper CoS & Secretary of the AF agree with Secretary Gates

UPDATED [10:08am]: McCain acknowledged that defense contractors spread projects throughout many states to garner political clout:

@senjohnmccain i hear you,re: jobs, but isnt that the defense contractor way, spreading jobs out throughout the US to maximize cong support?

@jaketapper of course, but it doesn’t mean we need the plane.