In a brief press conference, I just heard a reporter from the Houston Chronicle ask the president if, in light of the report coming out of the Gehman Commission next Tuesday, if he supported the manned space program, thought it should be restructured, thought it needed more money, etc. The president punted, saying that he’d get back after seeing the report, but something to the effect that it was important for a nation that wanted to stay on the technological edge had to have a space program.

Gee, is that the only reason? There are lots of ways to “maintain a technological edge” without having a space program.

Frustrating, because I don’t know necessarily what either the reporter or the president meant by a “space program.” And sadly, I’m not sure that they do either. Such broad questions are pointless until one gets down to goals and specifics. I hope that we can have a debate that will do so in the wake of the report, but I’ve no reason to expect it, based on history.