The EDC sent out invitations for round tables to all the candidates. So far only Arizona Senator John McCain, citing scheduling problems, has outright turned them down. Other candidates, like Mike Huckabee, are still considering it.
As reported by the Orlando Sentinel
“We were extremely fortunate it was Giuliani who accepted to speak to us first," said one space lobbyist. "He bet the farm on Florida… and because he is so desperate he set the bar so high that everyone has to be even more aggressive or be willing to tell people something that they don’t want to hear and be compared to him.”
The problem is that while candidates are indeed starting to speak about space policy in ways that they have not for decades, none have been willing to talk in specifics about funding levels, which is ultimately what it is all about.
Push on Huckabee. Shout at McCain. This sweet spot of opportunity ends after the Florida primaries!
Monday, January 21, 2008
Romney scheduled for a visit, Huckabee on the Edge, and McCain Needs a Talking To
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1 comment:
That is exactly why I wrote the CNN/LAT question that way that I did, so that the candidates would start to think in terms of budget numbers, along with a goal.
So far, it seems to be working. 9 out of the top 10 questions for the Dems, (out of 1753!) continue to be space-related. As an aside, the “Darfur” question dropped from 3 to 4. On the Reps side, it is much better then it was a few days ago, 8 out of the top 10.
While it may not yet be a “political space race”, at least some of these folks are paying attention. I am sure that both of these trips were planned prior to trying to tip the scales over at CNN/LAT, but I hope that we had some impact.
Take care. mjl
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