Space and Election 2008

Candidates' space ideas lack launch pad, NPR Marketplace

"One thing the presidential candidates haven't been talking about is a space policy. Jeremy Hobson takes a look at whether the candidates have any plans for the final frontier."

Nelson Urges Voters To Push Space Issue

Sen. Bill Nelson: White House race holds key to future of space program, Orlando Sentinel

"Nelson said that Floridians need to press their case on the presidential candidates, Republican John McCain and Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Clinton was the first candidate to outline support for "robust human spaceflight" and is seen as NASA's biggest booster of the three. But there are questions on how committed she is to the Bush administration's plans for exploration to the moon and then Mars."

Today's Video: CNN on Space and the Candidates

Candidates and the space race (Video), CNN

"What do the candidates say? John McCain speaks favorably for continuing the current course for space exploration, but he also wants to control spending, and that could further disrupt funding. Hillary Clinton has ambitious plans including quote: "Robust human space flight." Her emphasis appears to be on astronauts looking back, studying our own planet to combat global warming. And Barack Obama has suggested that while work in space is important and should continue, it's no longer inspirational, and NASA needs to reconsider its goals. Unlike President John Kennedy who launched the moon missions, not one of them is saying much about returning to the moon, and they rarely mention Mars."

Clinton Seeks to Save Arecibo

Clinton turns attention to observatory in Puerto Rico, Orlando Sentinel

"In a release issued by her Senate office, Clinton highlighted that Cornell University is a New York institution. She stressed the "historic relationship" between that state and Puerto Rico. "Cornell University scientists have used the remarkable tools available at Arecibo Observatory to greatly expand our understanding of the universe," Clinton said in the release. "I am proud to support the path-blazing accomplishments of these New Yorkers."

Clinton Introduces Legislation to Support Cornell's Innovative Observatory in Puerto Rico

IFPTE Endorses Obama

IFPTE Endorses Senator Barack Obama for President

"The International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers' (IFPTE), an AFL-CIO affiliated labor union whose public, private and federal sector membership includes engineers, scientists and technicians at the Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of Energy (DOE), NASA and Boeing, has given their backing to Senator Barack Obama for President of the United States. The IFPTE Executive Council voted without opposition late yesterday to endorse the Illinois Senator."

Obama's response: " ... I'll fight for organized labor by protecting the right to organize. I'll support vigorous reinvestment in our federal research and development agencies, including NASA, to maintain America's leadership in Science and Technology and to foster economic competitiveness."

NASA Under Obama?

Obama's Plan for NASA, American Thinker

"As the legend goes, when the Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortez landed in what is now Mexico in 1519, he ordered the boats that brought him and his men there to be burned.  Obama seems to have something similar planned for NASA."

Who's Worse For NASA: Democrats or Republicans?

Editor's note: According to page 8 of the April 2008 Aviation Week ShowNews Briefing, AIA Space Systems VP J.P. Stevens says "It will be a battle if there is a Democratic administration".

Let's look at this a little more closely. Yes, Sen. Obama (D-IL) has indeed talked of drastic and unwarranted cuts to Project Constellation - and has said rather negative things about human spaceflight. But that's about the only specificity we've heard from him. By stark contrast, Sen. Clinton (D-NY) seems to be outright supportive of NASA.

Yet it is Sen. McCain (R-AZ) who has proposed a freeze on discretionary spending (which includes NASA's budget) which would amount to a cut (or non-growth) at a time when a number of NASA projects are depending upon budget increases.

And this would be set against a backdrop whereby the Bush Administration won't lift a finger to prepare a budget for FY 2010 - leaving the incoming Administration to scramble to cobble one together between November 2008 and January 2009. This comes after the Bush administration walked away from the earlier financial commitments it had made for the implementation of the VSE.

If anything, in 2008, with the politics in play - and the history of the past few years before us, the Republicans seem more intent upon depriving NASA of needed budget funds - and have a proven track record of doing so.

Then again, only time will tell what will actually happen.

Why Are The Candidates Afraid To Talk About Science?

We Need a Science White House, opinion, Wall Street Journal

"Tomorrow Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain should have been going toe-to-toe in a televised science debate. All three were invited by a bipartisan group of Nobel laureates and other scholars called ScienceDebate 2008 to step on stage at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and explain how they will ensure that America continues to dominate the sciences. Leading in scientific research and advancement is an essential element to our future prosperity, health and national defense. All three candidates declined. Apparently the top contenders for our nation's highest elective office have better things to do than explain to the public their views on securing America's future."

Election 2008: Freezing NASA

McCain unveils his economic plan

"The plan is centered around a one-year freeze in discretionary spending -- with the exception of military and veterans programs -- to allow for a "top-to-bottom review of the effectiveness of federal programs." "'Discretionary spending' is a term people throw around a lot in Washington, while actual discretion is seldom exercised," McCain said. "Instead, every program comes with a built-in assumption that it should go on forever, and its budget increase forever. My administration will change that way of thinking."

Editor's note: In other words McCain would apparently limit NASA's budget for FY 2010 to what it is going to end up being for FY 2009 - based on (I would guess) whatever budget level contained in any budget (or CR) enacted this Fall. That's not going to be good for Ares, Orion, or many other things ...

Run Nick Run

Texan's campaign champions NASA, gives slim hope for Kennedy Space Center job, Orlando Sentinel

"A Texas congressman trying to keep his job could be the best hope for Kennedy Space Center workers trying to keep theirs. But it's a slim hope at best. Meet U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson, a Democrat defending a Houston-area seat once held by former Republican Majority Leader Tom DeLay. Like DeLay, Lampson is an avid NASA supporter with strong ties to nearby Johnson Space Center."

Obama On Space Exploration (update)

Presidential race a civics lesson for students

"Tyler Monroe, a senior at MCHS, hopes the next president will support the endeavors of NASA. "I think it's really important that we further the exploration in space," he said. "Space is the next frontier."

Transcript of questions and answers with Sen. Barack Obama, The Republic.com

"Q: What do you plan to do with the space agency? Like right now they're currently underfunded, they, at first they didn't know if they were going to be able to operate Spirit rover. What do plan to do with it?

Obama: I think that, I, uh. I grew up with the space program. Most of you young people here were born during the shuttle era. I was the Apollo era. I remember, you know, watching, you know, the moon landing. I was living in Hawaii when I was growing up, so the astronauts would actually, you know, land in the Pacific and then get brought into Honolulu and it was incredible memories and incredibly inspiring. And by the way inspired a whole generation of people to get engaged in math and science in a way that we haven't - that we need to renew. So I'm a big supporter of the space program. I think it needs to be redefined, though.

And that's a major debate I'm going to want to convene when I'm president of the United States. What direction do we take the space program in? Once we have a sense of what's going to be most valuable for us in terms of gaining knowledge, then I think we'll able to adjust the budget so that we're going all out on what it is that we've decided to do."

Elections and Budgets

Election year delay for NASA's Ares and Orion vehicles feared, Flight Global

"The USA's presidential election could leave NASA short of the funding it needs to keep its Orion crew exploration vehicle and Ares I booster project on track for their planned maiden flight in March 2015."

Editor's note: This really has nothing directly to do with the election this year. Continuing resolutions happen in non-election years as well as election years - just last year as a matter of fact. Congress has also passed budgets in election years as well.

VSE: No Bucks - No Buck Rogers

National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Overview, FY2009 Budget, and Issues for Congress, Congressional Research Service 26 Feb 2008 via OpenCRS

"NASA stresses that its strategy is to "go as we can afford to pay," with the pace of the program set, in part, by the available funding. In 2004, the President proposed adding a total of $1 billion to NASA's budget for FY2005 through FY2009 to help pay for the Vision, but subsequent Administration budgets more than eliminated this proposed increase, and actual appropriations by Congress have been even less. Most funding for the Vision is thus being redirected from other NASA activities. To free up funding for Orion and Ares I, the space shuttle program will be terminated in 2010, and U.S. use of the ISS will end by 2017. NASA has not provided a cost estimate for the Vision as a whole. Its 2005 implementation plan estimates that returning astronauts to the Moon will cost $104 billion, not including the cost of robotic precursor missions, and that using Orion to service the ISS will cost an additional $20 billion. A report by the Government Accountability Office gives a total cost for the Vision of $230 billion over two decades."

Taking Obama To Task On Space

No place for partisans on NASA, space exploration, editorial, Houston Chronicle

"Because of the 2008 presidential election, our nation's human spaceflight program is at a perilous crossroad. While Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John McCain all have made allusions to supporting the program, none has made it a priority. In fact, in late 2007 Obama went on record as saying he planned to pay for his $18 billion education plan by taking it out of the hide of NASA. In defending his desire to delay the Orion and Ares programs (the next generation crew spacecraft and rockets), he stressed, "We're not going to have the engineers and scientists to continue space exploration if we don't have kids who are able to read, write and compute."

Election 2008 Update 10 March 2008: This Does Not Sound Hopeful

Obama a little confused about today's state, The Swamp (Baltimore Sun)

"During the question-and-answer portion of an event at a recreational center here, Obama was asked about the nation's space program. "I grew up on Star Trek," Obama said. "I believe in the final frontier." But Obama said he does not agree with the way the space program is now being run and thinks funding should be trimmed until the mission is clearer. "NASA has lost focus and is no longer associated with inspiration," he said. "I don't think our kids are watching the space shuttle launches. It used to be a remarkable thing. It doesn't even pass for news anymore."

Do you have a comment? (please limit them to space policy and/or Obama's comments about space) Send them to nasawatch@spaceref.com. Your comments thus far:

Great job on the election coverage. It is good to see you trying to make this is an issue. Hopefully there will be a Florida revote. That could bring NASA front and center.

Mitt and Ann Hold Hands at Pad 39A

NASA FOIA Images: Mitt Romney Tours SSPF-Pad 39A at KSC on 21 January 2008

NASA caption: "Images taken of the Mitt Romney tour at KSC are not, in any way, intended to reflect the endorsement of any candidate by NASA. These images were taken during a tour that is typically provided to other VIP's. NASA has not authorized the use of these images for campaign purposes and has obtained a commitment from the Romney campaign NOT to use these images for campaign purposes. These images are being released in response to FOIA requests."

Editor's note: Click to enlarge image. Isn't it a little odd that most people who are seen in this location are required to wear bunny suits and caps - and yet politicians and their spouses are not? [see comments below as KSC folks correct my assumptions regarding bunny suits - but not about the special access granted to Romney]. Let's see how NASA answers my FOIA request as to what constitutes a "VIP" and what the process is for evaluating and approving (or denying) requests for these personal tours and photo ops - conducted at taxpayer expense.

Kerry Blows Opportunity at KSC, 2004 post

Comments? Send them to nasawatch@spaceref.com. Your comments thus far:

They're not that unusual. When I visited, the people working inside the orbiter were in "bunny suits", but so long as you stayed outside, it wasn't a requirement. This was a few years ago, but I don't think the rules have changed much. This wasn't a formal NASA tour, so no PAO cameras or minders, but we were informed what the rules were.

Election 2008 Update 3 March 2008

NASA's popularity rises as vote nears, Houston Chronicle

"In the countdown to Tuesday's Texas primary, the candidates still in the race are positioning themselves as astronauts' best friends -- but what they would actually do for manned space travel once elected remains up in the air. Under President Bush's current plan, the space shuttle will be retired in 2010. And with every candidate coming to Texas and professing devotion to NASA, space-watchers are trying to determine what the candidates actually will do when faced with a reeling economy and a record federal debt."

Candidates' Views Differ on Space Exploration, NPR

"Advocates of NASA's plan to return to the moon are concerned that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has said he will raid NASA's budget to fund education. While the issue of space exploration hasn't gotten much attention this campaign season, it is a topic on which the candidates do differ."

Clinton Pledges to Double NASA R&D Budget

Hillary Clinton’s Statement in Support of U.S. Aerospace and Aviation

"Hillary will double NASA's and FAA's aeronautics R&D budgets as part of her plan to reverse the Bush administration's war on science. She will pursue a balanced strategy of robust human spaceflight, expanded robotic spaceflight, and enhanced space and Earth science activities. She will speed development, testing, and deployment of next-generation launch and crew exploration vehicles to replace the aging Space Shuttle program."

Election 2008 Update 1 March 2008

Space Policy Under an Obama Administration, SpaceDemocrats

"Many space constituents are publicly critical of the Obama campaign for campaign rhetoric that is less overtly supportive of the status quo of the US space program than that of the Clinton or McCain campaigns. However, to this constituent of space, Obama's ambivalence makes him THE MOST ATTRACTIVE Presidential candidate in this campaign. Why?"

Election 2008 Update 29 February 2008

Barack Obama: One-on-one with WKYC's Tom Beres, WKYC.com (half way through video)

Obama: "I've got a strong belief in NASA and the process of space exploration. I do think that our program has been stuck for a while - that the space shuttle mission did not inspire the imagination of the public - that much of the experimentation that was done could have been conducted not necessarily with manned flights. I think that broadening our horizons - and looking at a combination of both unmanned satellites of the sort that we saw with the Jupiter launch - but also looking at where we can start planning for potential manned flights. I think that is something that I'm excited about and could be part of a broader strategy for science and technology investment ... The only thing I want to say is that I want to do a thorough review because some of these programs may not be moving in the right direction and I want to make sure that NASA spending is a little more coherent than it has been over the last several years.

Election 2008 Update 28 February 2008

Former President Clinton stumps for Hillary in Houston, Houston Chronicle

"Clinton pointed out that Hillary Clinton places more of an emphasis than Obama on human space travel. "This is the center of American space travel," he said of Houston and the Johnson Space Center. "Sixteen thousand (local) jobs -- and a lot of America's future -- rely on this."

Bill Clinton Says Hillary Will Change Lives If Elected President, Fox 26

"He also emphasized her commitment to manned spaceflight. About 100,000 people in the Houston area work for NASA's Johnson Space Center or related industries."

Bill: Hillary Hearts Outer Space, National Journal Hotline

em>"Hillary has always supported the manned space program just as I did when I was president," he told a crowd of over 250 who gathered in a picturesque neighborhood park in a Houston suburb today. "Her opponent says we should downgrade man space travel and upgrade robotic travel."

Election 2008 Update 24 February 2008

Clinton, Obama Surrogates Debate Science Policy, CQ Politics

"It wasn't in primetime. In fact, it wasn't broadcast at all. The audience wasn't hand-picked to equally represent the candidates. But a weekend debate at the American Association for the Advancement of Science between science advisors to the Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama campaigns was strikingly similar to forums between the candidates."

Scientists urged to plan for the next US president, Nature (subscription)

"Alec Ross, a technology entrepreneur and adviser to Obama, focused on his candidate's plans to expand broadband and technology infrastructure to all Americans. He also hinted that within weeks Obama would unveil a new plan for NASA and space exploration."

Hillary Clinton campaigns in Houston, AP

"Clinton took the stage at about 9:40 p.m. and spoke for about 30 minutes. She touched on usual campaign themes, including affordable health care for all Americans and bringing home the troops from Iraq. She also hit on a local note, pledging to keep funding NASA. "I believe we need to keep funding our next generation of spacecraft," she said."

Clinton, Obama address Houston hot topics, Houston Chronicle

"Obama agreed that NASA, which employs thousands of Houston-area voters who work at or with the Johnson Space Center, should be a tool for inspiring the nation. But, he said, the next president needs to have "a practical sense of what investments deliver the most scientific and technological spinoffs -- and not just assume that human space exploration, actually sending bodies into space, is always the best investment."

Election 2008 Update

Clinton, Obama address Houston hot topics, Houston Chronicle

"I intend to pursue an ambitious agenda in both space exploration and earth sciences," Clinton said. "I want to support the next generation of spacecraft for a robust human spaceflight program." Obama agreed that NASA, which employs thousands of Houston-area voters who work at or with the Johnson Space Center, should be a tool for inspiring the nation. But, he said, the next president needs to have "a practical sense of what investments deliver the most scientific and technological spinoffs -- and not just assume that human space exploration, actually sending bodies into space, is always the best investment."

Former Astronaut Endorses Clinton

John Glenn Endorses Clinton, AP

"In 1962, Glenn, a Marine pilot, was the first American to orbit the Earth, becoming an instant national hero. In 1998, shortly before retiring from Senate after 24 years, he became the world's oldest astronaut, returning to space aboard the Shuttle Discovery at age 77. Glenn briefly sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984. "I am deeply honored to have the support of Senator Glenn, a true American hero," Clinton said. "With his help, we'll bring our message of change across Ohio."

Election 2008 Update

I Told Hillary to "Send Astronauts to Mars", Political Action for Space

"Last night, Michael Laine and I went to see Hillary campaign along the Seattle waterfront in a cruise line terminal. I squeezed underneath some bleachers to get to the VIP area and wiggled my way right up next to the disabled people and seniors. Then, when she was in the middle of her speech, I shouted: "Send Astronauts to Mars!" using a Hillary sign as a megaphone. She faltered, and continued talking about technology and innovation."

Debate Questions: Worth the Effort?

Editor's note: Well, there were no space questions asked in the Republican debate. But you can still vote for questions to be asked of the Democratic candidates on Thursday evening here. As it happened, no space-related questions were offered for final vote to be asked of Sen. Clinton. However, two space-related questions were among the finalists offered for voting for Sen. Obama.

Editor's update: Well, there were no space questions asked in the Democratic debate either. Was it worth your collective effort? Two space questions did make it to the top of the heap such that people could vote on them tonight. That is certainly a first - and there was the preponderance of space questions that managed to hold onto top positions for weeks on Politico.com - also unprecedented.

But to me, the most important thing was a demonstration - by all of those people who submitted and voted for space-related questions - that space exploration advocates could exert this common surge of effort and help raise the issue of space exploration in a way that has not been seen in the past. Neither party has picked a nominee. And there is still a general election after they do. The opportunities to exert similar - and perhaps greater influence will continue.

You did it once, you can do it again.

What's The Point?, Political Action For Space

"I'm proud of what has happened, and I feel encouraged that sustaining our efforts throughout this election and beyond will bear greater fruits. I pledge to you all that I will continue my efforts running actionforspace.com to make it easier for you to have an impact on the future of the space exploration. I look forward to the continued help and participation for you all. Thanks for your incredible response for the debates in Los Angeles."

Comments? Send them to nasawatch@reston.com. Your comments so far:

Keith, imagine what would have happened if one of the space questions, esp. one of the bolder ones, had made it into either debate: The discussion would most certainly have turned quickly to the cost and relative(!) benefits of - crewed - spaceflight vs. other more pressing needs. Does anyone really believe that any of the remaining candidates would have said something like "hey, I'll get the U.S. out of the Iraq mess quickly and then we can spend all the billions saved on a Mars colony"? The effort to convince politics that going to Mars ASAP or the VSE or ALT.VSE or some other crewed space activity is really worth it has to start at a much more fundamental level IMHO: You've got to convince the broad public first and start with its more space-friendly faction. Even there a lot of work lies ahead, as the debate on crewed vs. robotic or rather the best proportion of the two is far from settled even in the space advocacy groups.

Regarding the rants against Politico and CNN here and elsewhere: I guess they very well understood that there was a massive campaign from space groups going on (after all even the 'real media' like Space News reported about it!) and thus decided that the huge amount of space votes did not reflect the priorities of their audience in general. Has anyone seen a poll on voters' priorities where the answers could be chosen freely and where space ended up near the top or in the list at all?

Daniel Fischer (U.S. campaign news junkie & space afficionado from Germany)

Keith,

I can't see any comment from Politico on how they selected questions, and why none of the top space questions were asked. Is there any explanation from these people? How can they seriously entertain the idea of generating the question list by user votes, when they neither follow through or even comment on user input after the fact. At least they should say 'thanks for all your time, effort, and interest on our site, but we thought up some better questions at the last minute'.

Also, what evidence is there that anyone, let alone the campaign organizations, are aware of the level of interest in space related questions. I never saw any statistics regarding how many votes there were for any of the questions, or any comments attempting to head off the notion that a few space geeks flooded the site early. I assume that there were many, many votes for space q's, and that the process was 'fair' (1 vote per IP address), but I don't see any comment by Politico attesting to this, so how do I know that the candidates haven't blown off the stories in Wired and elswhere that there was such a surge in interest? Have any of the candidates made any comments about the number of space question submissions and votes, or is this more space obscurity?

For that matter, do you know if any of them read your web site? Am I actually on a different planet than they are?

"Maybe the Republicans are right about the media." What, that the news media is biased and they have their own agendas? Of course they are and they do! It is impossible to report ANYTHING without the message getting infused with the messenger's attitudes and outlook, however fair and balanced they truly think themselves to be.

Such is the nature of communication. What is so refreshing about folks like Keith Cowing, and so damnably irritating about the mainstream reporters and their supporting organizations, is that Keith almost always owns up to where he's coming from, while the others continue to insist with straight faces that they are unbiased and aloof and are merely presenting "the facts." Let us not forget what William Randolf Hearst (often considered one of the fathers of yellow journalism*) said more than a century ago regarding the Spanish-American War: "You provide the pictures and I'll provide the war." 

*a redundant term if I've ever heard one...

As disappointed as I have been through the years with so many politicians and ineffective leaders in all disciplines (including spaceflight), I reserve my strongest contempt for the "news" media and what they've been pulling over on the American people for decades. The only problem, just like democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others, is that a free society needs a free press (biased as it inevitably is) to remain free. Luckily, the new media avenues (including this one) are exerting a detectable, positive influence on the mainstream ones, and that is a good thing.

As for the debate questions: I concur that the effort was not a waste. Getting ANY exposure helps make in-roads into the American public's consciousness, which is the first necessary step to having them value space programs and in turn create a demand for more investment in space. And as Keith pointed out: it ain't over yet.

Hi Keith,

I too was rather taken aback given the fact that space policy questions were not asked during either of the presidential debates. I however would say that all of the time I fired off questions and voted however WAS worth it.

At least all of the candidates know that space program supporters are out there and not just working for space or defense contractors. They also know that the direction the country takes our space program is important. Above all they ALL know that we vote, we're watching, we're vocal, and we're not going away. I will be writing all of the candidates using the links on actionforspace.com on how I feel on this issue.

Thanks again for posting the link to ask debate questions on your site.

Keith: Despite the fact that no space-related questions were asked, I think it is likely that the candidates' teams studied the list of highly ranked potential questions and prepared answers for them. These prepared answers would have had to be thought-out and vetted within the campaigns such that they would become policy positions. So, assuming the answers were pro-space, the effort was worthwhile.

How do we start a campaign now against CNN and Politico.com. They deceived the people. 20 of the top 25 most popular questions on the Democrat side were about the Space Program and NASA, and they ignored us. Maybe Republicans are right about the media. I'm personally disgusted. Thanks for pointing us all in the direction of the site, even if they did ignore us.

Election 2008 Update

Getting Up to Speed on Space, Science (subscription)

"Blogs such as Space Politics and NASA Watch, and organizations such as the Mars Society, keep a close eye on every utterance by a candidate on space policy. They instruct their audience how to contact the campaigns and even coach readers on how to get a space question inserted into a presidential debate. And they are being heard. "It's a small but vocal group, and they've reached out from the beginning," says the Obama staffer. "I'm impressed with the grassroots effort," adds Lori Garver, a Washington, D.C., space consultant and former NASA official who advises Obama's chief rival, Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY). "They've done more than all the sophisticated lobbyists."

Coalition for Space Exploration Drops The Ball

Editor's note: I got this email today:

"Dear Space Advocate, This week, the presidential candidates will be at the podium again discussing the significant topics of our nation, and YOU have a chance to ask about what's important. As a supporter of space, this is your opportunity to get questions about Space Exploration at the forefront of the debate. Please check out the following link: http://capwiz.com/spaceadvocate/utr/1/OSTZIARNGS/ATHLIARRAS/1699563546, and vote for your favorite question, or submit one of your own. Questions about candidates' views on Space Exploration have been in the top 10 for over a week. Let's keep these on the radar. Be sure to check out the "most popular" area in both the Democratic and Republican section to see the specific question and submit your vote. SpaceAdvocate.com is current undergoing maintenance at this time. However, you CAN make a difference by making your voice heard this week. Cast your vote or submit a question.... TODAY!

Sincerely, SpaceAdvocate.com and the Coalition for Space Exploration"

There is one small problem with this. If you go to SpaceAdvocate.com you will see that it is obviously no longer being operated by the Coalition for Space Exploration. Rather, a check of domain records shows that it is owned by some guy in Ankara, Turkey. I'm not certain how the Coalition folks could call this goof-up "maintenance" when they apparently have lost control of one of their prime websites.

Election 2008 Update

Young Engineer Leads Effort To Make Space a Topic of Presidential Debate, Space.com

"[John] Benac's call-to-arms read in part: "[W]e have a tremendous opportunity to put Mars on the political map for the presidential candidates. I have submitted a question for the Republican and Democratic debates that are happening in Los Angeles on January 30th. The way that this debate works is that people submit and vote for the questions that they like online, and the candidates are asked the ones with the most votes. Please tell everyone you think would act on this." Benac's plea to "put Mars on the political map" was quickly picked up and reposted by the Mars Society and the Web site NASAWatch.com, driving more traffic to the CNN/Politico.com Web site, resulting in the posting of new questions and votes for favorites."

NASA Watch on TV

Editor's note: I did an interview earlier today with CNN about the reentering NRO satellite that aired on CNN Moneyline this evening. I am taping an interview with Fox News tomorrow about space and the 2008 election.

O'Keefe Endorses McCain

Former NASA Chief Sean O'Keefe Endorses John McCain for President

"John McCain has been my friend for over 25 years -- and over that span of time in the varied leadership roles I have held, I have witnessed John's passion for doing the right thing on behalf of and as a friend to all Americans. I am proud to support him for president," said Chancellor O'Keefe. "John McCain personifies the depth of character and integrity we need in our next president. His candor, service and sacrifice, and leadership experience in every crucial debate over the last 20 years will serve to inspire the next generation of leaders to serve causes greater than their own self interest."

Stand and Be Counted: Only A Few Days Left!

Editor's note: Don't forget about the 30/31 January Democratic/Republican debates. They are now just days away. These are the last major televised debates before Super Tuesday. You still need to go to this link at Politico.com to submit/vote on space questions.

The frequency of space questions has dropped off and space questions are starting to slip in rankings. I have no idea when they will shut this off. Waste no time: add new questions, go to "most popular" for each party and make sure you have voted for the topic questions. Get your friends and family members to vote. And, if you are so inclined, you might want to vote at work, at home, at Starbucks, from your cellphone ... tell your spouse and kids to vote ... we need to use the same tricks that other "interests" use i.e. vote early - and often - and do so strategically.

You need to keep at this folks. Other "interests" have discovered this web page and are having an effect. This is a chance to make certain that the topic - and the veracity of its supporters - is known. These last few days are crucial. You have done a stellar job thus far - we can't let this opportunity slip as we head toward the home stretch.

As of 12:29 AM EST we are # 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25 on the Democratic side - yet we are only #5, 8, 13, 15, 19, 20, 22, 23 on the Republican side.

WE ONCE WERE #1 ON BOTH SIDES.
WE NEED TO DO THAT AGAIN.
WE NEED TO TAKE OVER THE DISCUSSION.

THE TIME IS NOW
BE HEARD.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

Otherwise, just sit down and shut up. You had your chance.

McCain Space Policy Statement

John McCain On the Issues: America's Space Program

"John McCain believes curiosity and a drive to explore have always been quintessential American traits. This has been most evident in the space program, for which he will continue his strong support."

Sen. McCain's comments on S. 2541 NASA Reauthorization Act

"Curiosity and a drive to explore have always been quintessential American traits. This has been most evident in the space program, which continues to show great advances in human knowledge. However, we are fully aware of the inherent risks and costs of space exploration, and the need to mitigate them wherever possible. Based on this knowledge, let us now embark upon this great journey into the stars to find whatever may await us."

Election 2008 Update

Candidates make room for space, Huntsville Times

"A month ago, I wouldn't have thought this the case, but (space exploration) is sort of in the candidates' face right now," said Keith Cowing, a former NASA astrobiologist who runs the Web site NASAwatch.com. "It seems as if something is happening (with space) and that hasn't been the case in years."Much of the political discussion centers on space exploration as a technology and education issue, Cowing said. "If you read some of the position papers carefully, then you see space and exploration as topics that are also linked to other aspects of technology development, balance of trade and education," Cowing said."

Editor's note: Check out the front page of today's (27 Jan) Sunday Huntsville Times. Also, the last line in this story, although attributed to me, was not something that I said. This error is being fixed by the Times.

Election 2008: Planetary Society Alert

Action Update: Submit Space Questions to the U.S. Presidential Debates, Planetary Society

"The U.S. Presidential primaries season is now in full swing, and debates among the candidates are taking place regularly before millions of viewers. It is a unique opportunity to push space topics onto the national political agenda. And you can help. Here's how: The sponsors of the debates are inviting the public to submit questions to the candidates online http://dyn.politico.com/debate/."

Election 2008 Update

Guiliani's Gamble, Hartford Courant

"He told them a Giuliani presidency will return America to the dominance it has lost in space. "The U.S. will be the first nation that puts somebody on Mars," he said. "We're not a limited people. We're not a people who think small," he told them. "We're here because we came from people who had grand visions."

Republicans, Lost in Space, NY Times

"Campaigning in his make-or-break state of Florida last week, Mr. Giuliani released a statement promising to "make space a priority." Apparently, America is facing a crisis far greater than health care or education reform: when the current fleet of space shuttles is retired in 2010, it's going to take as much as five years--five years, people!--before we can send another guy into orbit."

Election 2008 Update

Tell McCain and Romney in Your Own Voice, ActionForSpace

"Tomorrow, January 24, all space supporters in Florida: at 6:45 p.m, Governor Romney attends a pre-debate rally at Bogart's Bar & Grille: Muvico Palace 20, 3200 Airport Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431 Go get yourself a burger, sidle up to good 'ole Mitt, and tell him why he needs to give NASA a couple billion more dollars. Tell him what effect if will have on your vote. He seems like a nice enough guy to talk to."

Election 2008 Update

Space becomes primary frontier as candidates court voters in Fla., ATlanta Journal Constitution

"For the first time in decades, space policy is emerging as a presidential campaign issue and, political strategists say, could become a decisive factor in the race to the White House. In the run-up to Florida's Jan. 29 primary, candidates have begun to talk about their views on the future of human space exploration. On Friday, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani stopped at Kennedy Space Center to pledge he would give NASA the money it needs to return Americans to the moon and go to Mars. On Monday, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney followed suit."

Time to put the Heat Onto Barack, Political Action For Space

"Barack Obama is opening up a campign office in Huntsville in a few hours! Go there and tell him (or his campaign people) that his space policy needs to be revised!"

Stand and Be Counted: Space and Election 2008 - Update

Wolf Blitzer: What would you ask the Democrats in South Carolina?, CNN Politics.com

"I am going to be hosting a Democratic presidential debate on Monday, January 21, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina"

Editor's 20 Jan note: Wolf Blitzer just (11:44 am EST) read a space-oriented question on the air at CNN selected from those that have been submitted to this web page. Lets see if you can give him some more!

And don't forget about the 30/31 January Democratic/Republican debates. Go to this link at Politico.com to submit/vote on space questions. The frequency of space questions has dropped off and space questions are starting to slip in rankings.

You need to keep at this folks.

Editor's 20 Jan note: Rudy Giuliani was on CNN (12:23 pm EST) with Wolf Blitzer and made a fleeting mention of "having access to our space shuttle" as he talked about being in Florida.

Election 2008 Update

Time to put the Heat onto Romney, Political Action For Space

"Mitt Romney won the Nevada primary this morning. He also accepted the same invitation the Giuliani had acted on yesterday to meet with the Economic Development Council of Florida’s Space Coast."

Giuliani pledges to send astronauts to the moon and Mars, Political Action For Space

"Giuliani stated boldly and unequivocally today his commintment to send humans to the Moon and Mars, among other things."

Rudy at KSC today; Mitt coming Monday, Orlando Sentinel

"Next up is Mitt Romney. The former Massachusetts governor plans to visit KSC on Monday for a closed tour and then meet with the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast, which also lobbied Giuliani."

Stand and Be Counted - It Seems To Be Working

Editor's 14 Jan note: If you are wondering why the presidential candidates don't spend more time talking about space exploration, here's your chance to try and change that situation and toss questions at them. Go to this link at Politico.com and submit a question to the Democratic and Republican candidates for the CNN/Politico/LA Times debates at the end of the month. Imagine what would happen if they had a thousand questions from NASA Watch readers submitted ... its time for y'all to put up or shut up. Send in a question. Send in more than one question.

Space Supporters Hit the CNN Presidential Debate Website Hard, Wired

"This is clearly not random chance. NASA Watch, a private website, ran a note about the website two days ago and it appears the readers (and likely the reader's friends, families, and associates) took this idea and ran with it."

Editor's 17 Jan a.m. update: Space questions continue to do well. There are still 2 weeks until the actual debates- so the trick now is to keep the momentum going. Vote for space questions, keep submitting your own, and try and focus on a single, clear question and avoid long speeches on one narrow topic, etc.

Meanwhile there is another debate where CNN is looking for your input:

Editor's 18 Jan a.m. update: It looks like activity has slacked off. The number of space-oriented questions has fallen from the top portion of the list - most notably on the Republican side. Things are better on the Democratic side but there has been erosion there as well. As best I can figure it there needs to be a constant influx of new questions while people vote for the older ones. The easiest way to do this is to check the "most recent" link several times a day and go down and click on all of the space questions you like. This way you don't miss any. In addition, going to the "most popular" page usually only works for new visitors (or for those of you using another computer). In essence: perseverance, new questions, and new people are required to keep this up. You have done a great job thus far - keep at it!

Space: The Final Electoral Frontier?, Orlando Sentinel

"The surge followed an appeal from NASA Watch, a private website, encouraging space supporters to flood the debate website with questions about space.  The request appears to have struck a nerve as NASA Watch aficionados and other space fans came out of the woodwork, inundating the website with inquires about the candidates' views on missions to the moon and mars, robotic exploration and climate change."

Submit Your Space Questions to the Debates, Planetary Society

"When you go to the site, you will see that numerous space-related questions already have been submitted, in large part thanks to the efforts of Keith Cowing, editor of the website NASAWATCH."

Earlier posts:

Wolf Blitzer: What would you ask the Democrats in South Carolina?, CNN Politics.com

"I am going to be hosting a Democratic presidential debate on Monday, January 21, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina"

Editor's 15 Jan a.m. update: You've been busy! Lots of space questions have been submitted and are now up for voting. Several questions seem to be heading to the top of the pack. New ones appear all the time. Look at what you have done already - imagine what will happen if you all keep at this every day and get others to vote until the debates on 30 and 31 January!

Editor's 15 Jan p.m. update: Well something is certainly in the wind. As of Tuesday evening, space-themed questions appeared 3 or 4 times in the most popular questions for both parties. A space question was #1 among the Democratic questions and #2 for the Republican questions. See screen grab. The best I can tell, based on how this website works, the smartest thing to do is to submit a good, general - but to the point - question and then vote for these questions multiple times a day (you get one vote per question per IP address) every time you see a new one. Keep at it folks!

Americans, Science, Technology - And Space

National Science Board Science and Engineering Indicators 2008, NSF

"Science and Engineering Indicators, published by the National Science Board, provides a broad base of quantitative information on the U.S. and international science and engineering enterprise."

NSB Science and Engineering Indicators 2008: Science and Technology: Public Attitudes and Understanding: Highlights

page 7-13: "Relative to other topics, including S&T-related topics, interest in space exploration has consistently ranked low both in the United States and around the world. Surveys in Europe, Russia, China, and Japan document this general pattern."

page 7-26/27: "Although support for federal research investment is at historically high levels, other kinds of federal spending generate even stronger public support (appendix table 7-18). Support for increased spending is greater in numerous program areas, including education (73%), health care (72%), assistance to the poor (68%), environmental protection (67%), and Social Security (61%). Scientific research ranks about on a par with mass transit (38%) and well ahead of Science and Engineering Indicators 2008 7-27 space exploration (14%) and assistance to foreign countries (10%) in the proportion of the U.S. population favoring increased spending."

Another Chance to Get a Space Question To The Candidates

Your chance to ask the candidates a question, MSNBC

"Watch the Jan. 15th 2008 Democratic Presidential Candidates' Debate — the first debate since the New Hampshire primaries — on MSNBC TV and MSNBC.com to see if your question is asked."

Obama On Space Exploration

Barack Obama's Plan For American Leadership in Space

"Over the decades, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has embodied the adventurous spirit that lifted this nation to greatness and inspired people around the world. Barack Obama believes that the United States needs a strong space program to help maintain its superiority not only in space, but also here on earth in the realms of education, technology, and national security. Over the years, NASA technology has been applied to improve everything from computers and medical technology to baby formula and automobiles. Work done at NASA, whether here on earth or in outer space, impacts the daily lives of all Americans."

Election 2008, previous posts

Rudy's Visits To Florida's Space Coast

Editor's note: Reliable sources report that Rudy Giuliani's visit to the KSC area tomorrow (Wednesday) is almost certainly being put off for a week - perhaps until 18 January.

Editor's Update: Just confirmed - he will be at KSC next week on 18 January.

Iowa Results and Space Exploration

Editor's note: Last night's Iowa election results left several messages (to me at least). For both parties, it seems that change is in the air and that manufactured candidates pushed by big party interests did not go over all that well (at least in Iowa). For the Republicans, it is unclear whether Huckabee's win is a flash in the pan or the beginning of a trend. For the Democrats, Obama's win over Hillary Clinton (Oh yes Edwards beat her too) signals a potential tectonic shift whereby traditional constituencies that common thought would suggest go for/against a female candidate and for/against a person of color where turned on their heads. Also "experience" and "change" seemed to trade places in terms of importance to voters. Again, we have only one data point thus far: Iowa. The weeks ahead will tell whether these two trends - together or individually will pan out into trends and/or paradigm shifts.

Obama clarifies his space policy, Spacepolitics.com

"Obama believes we should continue developing the next generation of space vehicles, and complete the international space station. While Obama would delay plans to return to moon and push on to mars, Obama would continue unmanned missions, and use NASA to monitor the forces and effects of climate change, support scientific research, and maintain surveillance to strengthen national security. Obama also believes we need to keep weapons out of space."

Space Makes it into the Presidential Debate, earlier post

"Cooper: Governor Huckabee?

NASA pumps some -- let's see, how many -- $5 billion into Florida's economy.

Huckabee: Whether we ought to go to Mars is not a decision that I would want to make, but I would certainly want to make sure that we expand the space program, because every one of us who are sitting here tonight have our lives dramatically improved because there was a space program -- whether it's these screens that we see or the incredible electronics that we use, including the GPS systems that got many of you to this arena tonight.(Laughter)

Some of you were late because you didn't have one, by the way. Or whether it's the medical technologies that saved many of our lives or the lives or our families, it's the direct result of the space program, and we need to put more money into science and technology and exploration. Now, whether we need to send somebody to Mars, I don't know. But I'll tell you what: If we do, I've got a few suggestions, and maybe Hillary could be on the first rocket to Mars."

Election 2008, Earlier posts

Given Obama's initial and then restated policies on space exploration, and those expressed by Huckabee, what do their respective wins (and possible future wins) mean for space policy? Do they mean anything at all?

Send your comments to nasawatch@reston.com Your comments thus far:

"Obama would delay plans to return to moon and push on to mars" "Ares V is dead. No big surprise."

Basic science is back.
Nothing can fly after 2010. Replacement parts
for shuttles R no longer made.
Maybe an Ares I will see low Earth orbit by 2020.
There will be no cheap alternatives through dot com CEO benevolence.

"None of the candidates have taken a positive stand for the VSE. Clinton has offered strong support for manned spaceflight in general, while Obama has stated his intention to raid NASA's budget to pay for some education programs. On the Republican side, there is no clarity of vision for manned spaceflight at all beyond some generic statements about being "for" it. What is at risk here is the very life of the VSE. We've been stuck in LEO for 30 years and this is probably our only real chance to get beyond it. Assuming it survives the election (which is by no means certain), it will probably be sharply curtailed by either party, for political or economic reasons, or maybe both. And then there's the politics. Almost nobody is going to want to keep "Bush's Space Plan." The trouble is that by the time the new President takes office, it will be too late to stop dismantling the Shuttle, and we will be forced to create something new. The question is: what will it be if it's not Bush's VSE?"

"Given Obama's initial and then restated policies on space exploration, and those expressed by Huckabee, what do their respective wins (and possible future wins) mean for space policy? Do they mean anything at all?"

Not to me. I hope that no one out there is picking the President of the United States based on their policies for space exploration! Even though I work in that field, there are far, far more important issues to deal with. We should be picking the President based on their plans to attack the real problems. In my mind, examples of those are long-term energy sources and the related economic and national security issues, universal health care and the question of how Medicare will be paid for in the future, nuclear proliferation, global warming, that sort of thing. For global warming, I would expect to see some attention paid to the use of space-based observational assets as part of the attack on that problem. But other than that, space exploration is not a factor in my consideration of candidates. - Anonymous

According to CNN, coming out of Iowa Obama has 16 delegates, Clinton has 15 and Edwards has 14. At the convention one of the contenders will need 2605 delegates to get the nomination. It seems to me the Iowa result is that there will be a race, not that the race has already been won and lost.

  All this talk about space and the presidential election is bemusing, but let's face it—it's a waste of time. To project what will come from the next administration (Democrat or Republican), all one need do is look to their predecessors' actions (acknowledging, of course, that JFK's Apollo bid was an anomaly (See "Spaceflight and the Myth of Presidential Leadership" edited by Launius & McCurdy). What the candidates are saying during the campaigns has no bearing on what will actually come to pass.

If a Democrat is elected, the manned space program will be descoped in terms of vision and slowed operationally to maintain the status quo while providing just enough funding to create the impression (especially for voters in Florida, Texas, and California) that the program is alive and well. While the shuttle will retire close to on time and work on the Earth-orbiting Orion will continue, plans for abandoning the ISS will be reconsidered...and Ares I may get shelved in lieu of EELV launch of a "Block I" Orion. We will not begin any new manned programs, and it's a good bet that the VSE lunar development would be scaled back to "advanced studies" with no real intention of cutting any metal for moving beyond Earth orbit (Ares V would likely be shelved, even as part of study work). Human Mars mission work will remain far over the horizon as we send a few (but scaled back) robotic missions.

If a Republican is elected, the space program will stay on its current sluggish track toward deeper exploration (the VSE hardware design & development for lunar return would continue) and the new president may even propose a new grand and reasonably visionary initiative (an asteroid visit to emphasize the economic potential of solar system exploration?) near the end of his third year in office. Manned Mars mission work will remain a subject of study and even small-size hardware assessment, but only the robotic missions (as currently envisioned) will proceed to actual flight hardware and launch. UNFORTUNATELY, the entire program will continue to limp along on insufficient funding, killing Peter to pay Paul, because the budgets coming from the White House won't match their longer-term vision. Since the Republican OMB won't tolerate high up-front development costs, NASA will be forced to design the hardware (including Altair) with low-cost expediency (instead of long-term operations) as its primary "guiding" principle—so we (and future generations) will get saddled with another suite of equipment that severely limits our options for future exploration & applications. 

In either case, these same bemusing discussions will be taking place four years, eight years, and twelve years from now...and we (the U.S., at least) STILL won't be back on the Moon's surface, we won't have any options in place for deflecting an asteroid or comet, and humans on Mars will remain a dream as distant as the next century. 

Botched PR From Mike and Huck

Slippery PR ploys trip up practitioners, Opinion, USA Today

"At first glance, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and NASA chief Michael Griffin don't have much in common. Huckabee is no rocket scientist, and Griffin is no presidential aspirant. But their respective recent forays into the field of communications illustrate a common point: Sometimes it is easy to look dumb trying to be clever."

Senate Candidate Offers Little Shuttles To Donors

Editor's note: STS-90 payload specialist Jay Buckey is running for the Democratic senate nomination in New Hampshire.

One of the things his campaign is offering in exchange for contributions are these little space shuttles.

AIA Urges Campaign Focus on Space Exploration

Campaigns Should Support Space Exploration, Aerospace Industries Association

"Presidential campaigns should publicly express their support of NASA's Constellation Program to ensure America's leadership in space exploration as well as boost education, AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey said. The exploration program, which will return astronauts to the moon and explore Mars and beyond, should not be delayed under any circumstances since there is already a manned spaceflight gap looming."

Space Advocacy Groups: Not Ready For Prime Time?

Editor's note: Last night a Mars Society member (and Hukabee supporter) managed to get a video question inserted into the Republican Presidential debate. Yet, as of 2:00 pm EST neither Planetary Society, the National Space Society, the Coalition for Space Exploration, the Space Exploration Alliance, or even the Mars Society has any mention whatsoever of this question being asked last night. Gee, I had something online 10-20 minutes after the words were spoken - and I am not especially gifted in regard to web stuff. It is now 14 hours later and there is not a peep from the space advocacy community. I have to ask, why is anyone (campaign staff, voters) going to pay any additional attention to groups that support an issue when they cannot get off of their collective butts to even make note of (and capitalize upon) a potential breakthrough in a national debate?

Today's Video: Space Makes It Into The Presidential Debate

Editor's note: A video (below) from a Mars Society member (complete with logos) managed to get in on the CNN/YouTube debate among Republican presidential candidates. In responding, Gov. Huckabee was rather supportive of space exploration and its benefits to our society and economy. He even wanted to send Hillary Clinton to Mars. Rep. Tom Tancredo said that there is not enough money to spend on a Mars mission (transcript below).

Editor's note: According to a NASA Watch reader, the person who submitted this question, Steve Nielson, has a pro-Huckabee website.

"Steve Nielson: My name is Steve Nielson. And this question comes to you from Denver, Colorado. JFK's vision put a man on the moon from a nonexistent space program in about seven years. The new vision for space exploration has provided about 15 years for that same feat. Meanwhile, Congress is pulling funding for human-to-Mars research altogether. Is there a candidate amongst you willing to take a pledge on behalf of the Mars Society of sending an American to the surface of Mars by 2020? If not, what is your vision for human space exploration?

Cooper: Governor Huckabee?

NASA pumps some -- let's see, how many -- $5 billion into Florida's economy.

Huckabee: Whether we ought to go to Mars is not a decision that I would want to make, but I would certainly want to make sure that we expand the space program, because every one of us who are sitting here tonight have our lives dramatically improved because there was a space program -- whether it's these screens that we see or the incredible electronics that we use, including the GPS systems that got many of you to this arena tonight.

(Laughter)

Some of you were late because you didn't have one, by the way. Or whether it's the medical technologies that saved many of our lives or the lives or our families, it's the direct result of the space program, and we need to put more money into science and technology and exploration. Now, whether we need to send somebody to Mars, I don't know. But I'll tell you what: If we do, I've got a few suggestions, and maybe Hillary could be on the first rocket to Mars.

(Laughter)

Cooper: Congressman Tancredo, 30 seconds, please.

Tancredo: The question is a serious one and it deserves a serious answer, and that is this: Look, we've been -- how many times up here, how many questions have dealt with the issue of deficit spending, the debt out of control? And yet, we have somebody saying, "But would you spend more money on going to Mars?" And the suggestion that we need to spend more money on space exploration. This is it, folks. That's why we have such incredible problems with our debt, because everybody's trying to be everything to all people. We can't afford some things, and by the way, going to Mars is one of them."

More on Obama's Proposed NASA Cuts

Obama Trashing Space Exploration (discussion), Newsvine

"Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's education policy is causing a stir ... but not all in a good way. Advocates for space exploration are noting with dismay that he'd take billions of dollars from NASA to pay for the educational programs he'd like to expand."

Thoughts on Obama's Proposed NASA Cuts

Space Vs. Education, MSNBC

"Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama’s education policy is causing a stir … but not all in a good way. Advocates for space exploration are noting with dismay that he’d take billions of dollars from NASA to pay for the educational programs he'd like to expand."

More on Clinton's Space Policy

Future Human Spaceflight - Democratic Candidate Launches a Position as Opponents Orbit From a Safe Distance, Washington Post

"The major presidential candidates pummel each other daily on issues ranging from the Iraq war to health care. But when it comes to President Bush's ambitious initiative to send humans back to the moon and on to Mars, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) is all but alone in staking out a formal position -- and it's one that lends support to key aspects of the president'