McCain, Obama wrangle over space

Though the topic was nearly overshadowed by the economy, funding for NASA became another focus of bickering between presidential candidates last week.

Sen. Barack Obama in August pledged to increase NASA's budget by $2 billion. Sen. John McCain made a similar pledge but recently said he would freeze all spending except for the military and for veterans. McCain's campaign said Sunday that the Republican still supports increased funding for NASA. Both candidates have said the shuttle program should not be dismantled before the next administration has a chance to evaluate it.

And both candidates are working hard to gain votes in Central Florida, which political observers consider the key to winning the state's 27 electoral votes.



Obama's campaign has released a new ad that touts the candidate's connection to the space program. See it HERE.

McCain's staff issued this statement, indicating that McCain still supports increased funding for NASA:

"Recently John McCain sent a letter to the President about the strategic challenge that our reliance on the Russians poses to the United States, and the need to preserve the option to continue shuttle flights beyond 2010. We must also redouble our efforts to advance progress on the Constellation program by committing to the additional funding needed to speed up progress to close the space gap." - Mario Diaz, McCain Southeast Regional Communications Director.


Obama's space policy

McCain's space policy