This post has been up at Space Politics for over a week now, and this is the first time I've linked to it, but there's a lot of interesting commentary from "anonymous" in the comments section. I think that the analysis of Griffin and the origins of (and continuing support of) ESAS is right on.

Thanks, and seconded. I read it early on so there was lots of new entries.

Comments by anonymous.space are nearly always interesting, particularily when he/she has built up momentum. I'm guessing he/she is the same anonymous as Jon Goff once invited to guest blog over at Selenian (declined because of NASA etc.).

Easy way to narrow the Gap: Use 1-2 "contingency" STS missions to extend shuttle operations into 2011. One of these missions could deliver Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to ISS, which will please Europeans to no end. At the rate ISS construction schedule is slipping, Shuttle missions past 2010 will be required anyway.