Now comes word that there won't be the promised Senate showdown today on the future of the F-22. 
Maybe tomorrow, then, we will see if change is really possible and if President Obama's plans to transform
(hell, even shift slightly) U.S. defense plans/priorities will be possible.  Its amazing what has transpired. 
To recount for the vacationing: Democratic Administration with massive inaugural momentum
and reform-minded, highly-respected SECDEF facing massive budget challenges decides to cap F-22
production at 187.  The Air Force falls in line, with the Chief of Staff repeatedly making VERY clear
that the Service concurs and that he will contenence no further F-22 advocacy from his underlings,
however covert. 

Even Lockheed Martin states that it is done lobbying for additional RAPTORs (and will instead take
the coin for F-35).  With a fillibuster-proof majority in the Senate and key Republican leaders
such as John McCain voicing strong opposition to additional (12 now, but maybe up to 57!) unneeded
$160 million+/unit aircraft, the issue's dead, the program's done, right?  Wrong. 

Members from the 44 states where the F-22 has managed to place jobs who view the program as a jobs
program rather that a national defense money pit diverting funds from other programs focusing on
the threats to America and its warfighters -- are loathe to let it go.  Maybe tomorrow?