Government contractors: can trust be restored?

• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.
• Position: WASHINGTON PULSE: NEWS FROM INSIDE THE BELTWAY

The defense industry has regarded itself as a "trusted partner" of the Pentagon, but in recent years the relationship has been strained as multibillion-dollar programs ran over budget and behind schedule. The tipping point came a year ago with the release of a GAO report that documented nearly $300 billion in cost overruns in top defense programs. Complicating the situation for the industry is the Obama administration's anti-lobbyist push, which has made it far more difficult for the industry to reach...