Boeing and Carrier - blue state vs red state? [View all]
I've been wondering if Trump's recent publicity blitzes with Boeing and Carrier are connected to reward and penalty for political support.
Carrier is in a state that voted for Trump and that is the home of his Vice President.
There have been reports that the Carrier deal is more about securing advantage in federal contracts for its parent company than about Carrier's jobs.
http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/11/30/federal-contracts-likely-biggest-factor-carrier-deal/94670496/
Carrier Corp.'s decision to keep hundreds of jobs in Indianapolis had more to do with access to the federal government than state incentives, sources familiar with the deal told IndyStar.
Carrier is maintaining its Indianapolis operations largely because of the business interests of its parent company, United Technologies Corp., said John Mutz, an Indiana Economic Development Corp. board member. The IEDC awards state incentives, primarily training grants and tax credits.
Mutz, who was briefed on the state's offer to Carrier, said United Technologies "wants to make sure they maintain a favorable relationship" with the incoming Trump administration.
Meanwhile, Boeing's headquarters are in Illinois and its traditional manufacturing base is in Washington State, both of which voted for Hillary.
Is this the opening shot in a possible pattern of rewarding red states and punishing blue ones?