[Cincinatus' Wife]

I expect we will do this much faster than advertised. As one success builds on the next, excitement along with funding will grow. As it was, Congress never would have funded a manned mission to Mars. Now it's in the picture. By going to the Moon and learning to live off-planet and preparing for the Mars trip, it's viewed as the goal. As soon as the country understands how much we can benefit from lunar resources, it will be much easier to ask for more funding. Things will accelerate as the process unfolds.

[Moonman62]

As one success builds on the next, excitement along with funding will grow.

That's the way the private sector works. When the government does things, you get more money for complexity, delays, and failure.

[CasearianDaoist]

Yes, that is my take also. I am beginning to think that this angle is almost built into the plan. It could really change things for us as a nation, perhaps give us the renewal that I for one feel we desperately need. Ironically Bush could in the end be more known for this than the WOT when the history of our times is written.

I think it shows real leadership and no small amount of moral courage. I do not see it as a campaign gimmick at all.