P.S. I will be slightly embarrased if we don't get back to the Moon anytime soon!

Im Germany I have never noticed that during any election campaign any party tried to score with propaganda for robotic or manned spaceflight. The German voter's attitude toward high-tech today is sorts of "no thank's". Scepticism is a big deal for Germans. Of course we have big dreams of a just world and social benefits for all and everyone. But instead of dreams that put one's heart and soul in it there is nebulous rhetoric like "education for everybody" ("Bildung für alle") although Germany has an all-encompassing educational system since decades.

I guess that especially those among the Germans who are politically left and do admire Obama while normally being notoriously hypercritical against the U.S., do not a bit understand what his space policy is about.

Obama states the importance of vision to motivate and captivate youth toward building a better future — he actually
mentions the link between education and exploration.

McCain's vision seems to dovetail on the current administration's — short-sighted.

1. Obama – Fund Space Program
2. McCain – Not Fund Space Program.

If you want NASA to last another 4 maybe 8 years vote Obama. If you want Nasa to crumble and fall vote McCain.

Neoconservatives will preach tax and spend but in the case of Nasa its a worth while investment if you ask me.

Adults don't need presidents.

NASA needs a steady budget that they can count on. I would love to see Congress give NASA a 10 year budget that adequately covers both programs and helps close the gap. That way NASA can concentrate on its tasks instead of worrying about next year's budget and next year's election.

Be safe and well.

While the focus may not be 100 percent on target, we can at least help guide them to some "hard" reasons for settling the Moon (or at least going there) by citing energy concerns (helium-3, and perhaps solar power satellites).

Indeed, how do we know that the space exploration aspects of their campaigns are not just facades to get votes? I really do think that we (humanity) should concentrate on space exploration more so then we do now, it should really supersede anything else as it is our ‘light in the dark’, to survive we need to expand, to expand we need an excellent (space council renewal?) space program/s that are not hampered because they’re not getting enough funding and authorization. And what’s up with the gap… why > ‘nothing to worry about, we’ll have a five or so year break’  I’m baffled; some politicians just care more about money and votes then anything else. America needs to not rely so much on foreign countries (Russia etc) and give NASA the funds and authorization they need. I hope Orion gets up and running soon.

Let's just hope that they are sincere in their statements.

The problem I see is NASA has become a new friend to both campaigns now that its apparent Floridian votes are at stake, and not because of the wish to conquer space or make a few bucks off of space based industry.

This sounds more like a Clintonian space program where we promise the sky, then let it all slip away when no one is watching.
How do we know these new promises represent a renewed zeal for exploration rather than a shallow attempt to buy votes?

A few months ago Obama was converting rockets into children's books and McCain couldn't find the space coast on a map.

Now they both want us to believe they are astro-nuts?