There’s been some discussion about the Republican party’s platform which includes some discussion of space policy:
In addition, the Republican Party will remain committed to America’s leadership in space research and exploration. We will ensure that this Nation can expand our knowledge of the universe, and with the support of the American people, continue the exploration of Mars and the rest of the solar system. We consider space travel and space science a national priority with virtually unlimited benefits, in areas ranging from medicine to micro-machinery, for those on earth. Development of space will give us a growing economic resource and a source of new scientific discoveries.
There’s a problem, though: this is from the 2000 platform, not the 2004, as you can see here on C-SPAN. The 2004 platform has not been released yet, to the best of my knowledge, so we will have to see what’s changed between 2000 and 2004.
Hi Jeff,
MSNBC has posted a copy of the 2004 platform at
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Sections/News/Politics/Conventions/RNC-2004platform.pdf
A search on “space” shows this item:
The President’s support for NASA and vision for space exploration will also enhance scientific development and technological breakthroughs.
A rather muted endorsement of the initiative, I would say.
– Clark