Notable Quote: Has NASA Lost its Way?

"There is no big aspirational purpose.”

--Presidential candidate Jeb Bush responding to a 13-year olds question about the role of NASA. Or was Mr. Bush describing his campaign? 

Political Quotes Not Very Encouraging

You may have heard Donald Trumps recent statement to a 10 year-old concerning the future of NASA and our space program.  It was not very inspirational from a man that claims to be a billionaire.  Trump's response was simple:

You know, in the old days, it was great. Right now, we have bigger problems — you understand that? We've got to fix our potholes. You know, we don't exactly have a lot of money.

The man seems to have no dreams beyond piles of money and super models.  And he calls himself a leader?

Of course, Jeb Bush did little to inspire faith, even when discussing a space disaster.  Stumping in  New Hampshire last month at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, he attempted to recall the loss of the second space shuttle.  He stated:

I was thinking, you were going to bring up the tragedy that took place, I will never forget that, when I went as governor of Florida, to the tarmac for a tribute to the astronauts, that died. I think it was 2005, maybe — um , yeah. (audience: Christa McAuliffe?”) No, the other one, 2002. In the 2000s. It was horrible, It’s a reminder that this is a dangerous endeavor, but it is worth us, for all sorts of reasons, to be engaged in it.

 Yes, it is worth us being engaged in the 2003 Columbia shuttle disaster.  It is also worth staying engaged in our space program.  Do we have any presidential candidates able to do this?