In a column in Friday’s issue of Florida Today, Congressmen Dave Weldon (R-FL) and Tom Feeney (R-FL), who represent the Space Coast, respond to John Glenn’s column of a day earlier on Kerry’s space policy. The response is pretty predictable, although I think they could do better than this line in response to Glenn’s statements on shuttle and station: “Exactly where Glenn gets his facts we do not know.” Somehow, I think Glenn has a closer connection to the Kerry campaign than either Weldon or Feeney.
Near the end of the editorial the two Congressmen refer to Weldon’s campaign web site, which features a press release blasting Kerry’s record on space, with a record of Kerry’s votes against the space station through 1996. (Not surprisingly, it omits those votes in favor of ISS Kerry cast in 1997 and 1998.)
Unlike Glenn who was free to write whatever he wished, Fenney and Weldon were only allowed a limited number of words to reply – 200 as I am told.
The Washington Times has published an editorial on space policy, two days before the election:
Bush’s bold space policy
October 31, 2004
http://washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20041030-102528-5674r.htm
“The election on Nov. 2 will have many far-reaching implications, not the least of which is mankind’s fledgling reach into space.”
“The contrasts are stark. A Kerry administration would delay — if not doom — America’s reach into space.”
It’s not a perfect editorial, but it gets the main points right: there is a big difference between the two space policies in this election, and only Bush will provide a good future for space exploration and human spaceflight.
Gee, I wonder how Mr. Glenn feels today?