I didn't watch the debate. I do not have time to watch all of them. My life involves more things than just news and politics. I just read summaries, comments, articles, and other sources when I can.
If he did say that, I don't think he will be able to raise enough money. It costs a lot to do that and I don't think there is enough to complete the mission properly. Also, it raises questions as to who will actually be in control.
My impression is that this is one of those pie in the sky ideas that will never happen. He should have been brought up this idea ages ago so that Newt critics and competitors will not accuse him of vote pandering.
What should be mainly focused on is cutting the debt and getting spending under control.
My impression is that it is already successful in achieving its intended purpose. The goal all along may have been nothing more than to throw out some cockamamie idea that sounds grandiose enough to get a bunch of potential voters all starry-eyed.
And it's all free!! It won't be a government program!!
I hope you won't take this wrong, but you might do well to do a little more investigation and a little less posting.
Newt HAS been talking up his space policy ideas for years. For example...
From another website dated 07/15/2009:
"On another front, people like Newt Gingrich are openly talking about a privately funded Lunar Base. As I have pointed out before, Mars is easier to reach than the Moon, and the logistics are similar. But if human minds aren't yet ready to believe in an affordable Mars Mission, they may be ready to believe that “Going Back to the Moon” can be done at less than NASA's price."
From your post I can see that you are a very busy person, but by your screen name I'm guessing you do make some time for an occasional movie. May I suggest 1999's "October Sky." It is the true story of Homer Hickam.
I have personally watched this movie about four or five times. Interesting when juxtaposed against the current political discussion about space. The least likely character (a female teacher with Hodgkin's disease) provides the vision. There are no shortage of skeptics about rocket flight and about anything of note coming from Coaltown.
Oh, enough of this. Go watch the movie.