[Brett66]

It'll be interesting to see how all of this shakes out. NASA could actually get a sizeable increase, yet I think many in congress will want some accounting on how well they're using what they got. NASA should account for many recent and costly failures. If the X-33 program had went as planned, we would've had an operational Venture Star going to orbit by 2004.

[DaBroasta]

"The last two administrations have been starving NASA of money, and because it didn't have enough to do everything it wanted to do along with its cost overruns on the space station, it was delaying the safety upgrades," said Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.)

Translation: The livelihoods of a substantial block of voters in my RAT infested-districts depend on NASA and therefore I need to bring back the taxpayer jack to stay in power. Otherwise I'd ride the fence on this like I do on all the other issues. And I damn sure wouldn't impune my beloved messiah Bill Clinton

[gov_bean_ counter]

And just where was Bill Nelson when the budget ax was falling on NASA? Nelson road his "star status" to Washington then failed to produce for Florida. Apparently he turned his back on the organization that gave him his day in the sun. I hope the good people of Florida now see him for the liberal fraud he is.

[LS]

I will say this again: The NASA Administrator has total control over what is REQUESTED from Congress, and Congress usually gives him, content-wise, what he wants. They may only give him 75% of what he wants, but he still is the one setting the priorities. I don't care if NASA's budget was CUT by $3 billion. That does not mean the Shuttle was cut, or that Shuttle safety was cut. The fact is, the NASA Administrator has an $8 BILLION dollar "floating Roanoke" up there in the Space Station, where he has chosen to put most of his money, instead of into transportation systems. It is the NASA Administrator's fault and NO ONE ELSE'S, not even Clinton's (God I hate saying that).

[caisson71]

Senator Nelson has obviously ascended to a position of incompetence (that of a liberal Democrat). His initial comments reflect his indoctrination - as a member of the liberal left - rather than a tinking representative of his constituents. His comments and actions are reprehensible and certainly taints his reputation as a representative of the people. Instead, he is a shill, a mouthpiece and a political prostitute.

[Wait4Truth]

So, did Nelson vote against the Clinton NASA cuts?

[virgil]

This guy has been all over the news hasn't he? I think I heard on this morning's NASA briefing that on Nov 13th last year, Bush signed an amendment to NASA's budget to increase it at the request of NASA. So, NASA should already have all the funding it requested for FY 2003. They're just trying to get more money for NASA in the wake of the Columbia tragedy. They don't even know for sure if money is the real issue. Sick. Its probably destined for pork.

The press doesn't seem to be listening to anything NASA is telling them. Like the investigation. The press keeps saying its the foam or whatever they fell from the external fuel tank that damaged the tiles. Tiles, tiles, tiles. This evening Dittemore seemed to elude to the external fuel tank being the problem and the heating in the wheel well as related, but rather a secondary problem. And I'll stretch a bit and say that I think he means that damage may have occured to the orbiter as the tank separated from it during lauch. But the press keeps talking about foam and tiles and wheel wells, etc. In their minds, there's got to be a Bush cover-up you see.

[VeniVidiVici]

I'm embarrassed this guy represents Florida. I still wonder how he got elected and who voted for him.

[OldFriend]

If money was the answer we would have the best public education system in the world.

[69ConvertibleFirebird]

Bump for future reference to correct liberal lies regarding NASA budget.

[bonesmccoy]

All I know is one thing.

The Downey Rockwell facility CLOSED during Clinton.

That is not a coincidence, no matter what Bill Nelson thinks.