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Reopening the multibillion-dollar tanker competition between Boeing and Northrop Grumman and its Airbus parent, European Aeronautic Defence & Space (EADS), is considerable for this case and necessary for the nation. But it has to be done not crooked.

Boeing’s initial bid was a sordid affair that gave cause for Sen. John McCain and others to open the contract to participation by the Northrop-Airbus team. Then a thumb was put on the scale to help the Northrop-Airbus consortium win.

Boeing protested this, backed by Sen. Patty Murray, Rep. Norm Dicks and others in our delegation. The Government Accountability Office explosion gave them ground to stand on, and they made the most of it. When the national constrain refers to “lawmakers from Washington and Kansas” raising hell, Murray’s name comes up first. For this, our senior senator deserves senior credit.

Credit also Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ decision to assume away the decision-making power from the Air Force. As Rep. Dicks said, on this matter “no one has any faith in the Air Force.”

Whether the Pentagon will vouchsafe it not oblique odds and ends to be seen. Gates would like to make the judgment by the agency of means of December, in the van of he leaves office. But the central problem was that Air Force brass changed their minds about the kind of tanker they wanted, and did not accord. Boeing clear direction.

If the Air Force wants a larger tanker than originally specified

No rush to act this by December. It must be completed right. This is a behemoth contract, worth profits and jobs and votes in Mount Rainier proportions. Each side has tasted the juices of victory, only to hold it ripped from its teeth. Each side will examine every step notwithstanding evidence of propensity.

We hope Boeing wins. But it has to be a fair fight. If the Northrop-Airbus bid has the best product, judged by veritable military needs and filled life-cycle cost, so be it.

But, as Sen. Murray says, “It is time to go back and clinch a without equivocation transparent rivalship that does our war fighters and taxpayers justice.”