Space Flyby Media Opportunities

Given that this is how this President appears to operate when it comes to policy, why would anyone believe he is on the side of openness and compromise? Where is the "hope" in this modus operandi? The event is not even a summit or conference -- it is just a speech.

Regarding the policy, why do some act as if it's a done deal? Doesn't Congress have the final word? I'm sure many in Congress see the inherent danger in the Obama space policy. If we posit that this space policy passes, what if the unproven "Merchant 7" cannot deliver? Then there is no Shuttle replacement and no chance of a heavy lift vehicle being produced, only technology demos. What if a commercial crew launch attempt fails because of a malfunction and the crew dies? That would surely set back America's HSF program even more. Perhaps some day commercial services will have enough experience to launch crews, but does anyone truly believe they can do it with $6b over 5 years? Such a program, I believe, should be funded slowly, while the gov't still retains its own crew launch system.

It is most certainly NOT a done deal.

Far from it. The reception in congress has been extremely poor.

Fight for NASA HSF!

www.supportconstellation.com

> If we posit that this space policy passes, what if the unproven "Merchant 7" cannot deliver?

What if americans cant build rockets? Im shaking in my boots.

What possibly could Obama be getting out of such an event? I guess he gets to 'look good' by addressing the troops directly about his plan, i.e. he avoids the criticism of re directing NASA in a major way without directly addressing them.

Other than that, what possible concern does he have that gets forwarded by his fly by?

And where is the transparency in this? The openness? Oh, I see, it's not convenient...

So my concern is that it appears that Mike Griffin was correct about at least one thing: the green shades are running NASA and they are not ready for prime time: we have the JV here, not the pros.

The whole trip seems useless to me since it will be totally one-sided ... no interaction from the employees or the press.

He will beam his magic waves over the audience and we will all fall in line.

Earthshine: What possibly could Obama be getting out of such an event?

Sherlock: The whole trip seems useless to me since it will be totally one-sided ...

I don't think so. I don't know the exact rules but I think that if the President uses Air Force 1 for a trip exclusively for campaign / fund raising purposes then reimbursement is supposed to be made to the government.

Very likely at at an insanely low rate.

By stopping at KSC his trip to Florida and Gloria's house is now classified as government business.

The big question is which event was conceived first, the fund raiser or the Presidential visit to KSC?

So its more important to visit and entertainer than to deal with US leadership.

So its more important to hang out with an entertainer than to address leadership issues.

Keith, this thing Thursday is turning into more of a drive by shooting than a fly by.
Obama to the KSC work force; "Your fired!"