I agree with Jeff’s implication here. The VSE is far better off staying out of the news than becoming a political football between the Administration and Congress. This envrionmentalist fears that Congressional efforts to score environmental points are just as likely and potentially damaging.

— Donald

Since you are bringing up “political tactics” and the NASA budget, note the press release that Chairman Gordon sent out on Friday on Climate Change.

http://science.house.gov/press/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=1762

The FULL House Science & Technology Committee will have a hearing on this subject on April 17th.

I predict that whatever NASA’s top line is (which will almost certainly come in below the President’s request) the % of NASA’s budget dedicated to Exploration will also take a cut. One of the big winners will be “Earth science”, and GSFC.

In the Senate, Mikulski will probably just “make it so”.

The House might take a different route. Will the Democrats intentionally wait until the NASA budget goes to the House floor, to propose an amendment — taking money from Ares 1 & Orion, and giving it to Earth science — in the hopes that the Republicans would fight against Earth science in full public view?

Assuming the Dems think this is a political winner in 08 — a “wedge issue” that gives heart burn to (and divides) the Republicans — they just might do this.

This is probably just a little bit too sly, but it would be an interesting political tactic.

– Al