Florida Today reports that the administration’s search for a new NASA administrator drags on, with no sign of an immediate selection. While the article’s subhead claims that “Experts fear delay is hurting NASA”, the only “expert” cited in the article who makes such a claim is Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), who tends a bit towards histrionics when it comes to the space agency. In the near term, at least, not having a permanent administrator (Fred Gregory is currently acting administrator) is not a serious impediment to the agency’s work, although as this interregnum stretches on, particularly as the shuttle’s return to flight approaches, it does become more of a concern.
One thing the articles does do is firmly put to rest speculation that former Congressional Budget Office head Dan Crippen is being considered for the job. “I didn’t interview. I haven’t been contacted. I haven’t been asked. Nor do I expect to be asked,” he told the paper.
