[Cincinatus' Wife]

I don't understand the timing for such an announcement.

Because most people don't understand the "why" of going. Think national security (comcats - commercial and military). Add to that a need for more math and science graduates, a push for new technology that always helps our economy, and you have a national goal that pays back as well as inspires.

[plain talk]

Right. Could still wait until after reelection. It is not exactly urgent. As much as I am for space exploration I think its preposterous to push such an idea with $500M deficits. A mars mission is going nowhere until the deficits go down.