Gingrich should never have talked about a colony on the moon. His idea of loosening regulations and offering prizes to encourage private enterprise in space makes a great deal of sense, but it wouldn’t lead to a commercial colony on the moon, at least not for a very long time. The market would be primarily space tourism, satellites, commercial use of orbital space. He looks like a geek surrounded by grownups, not really a fair characterization but one that Gingrich invited.
But Romney shouldn’t be talking about firing people unless they are government bureaucrats.
I was surprised that Newt wasn't more aggressively mocked for "colony on the moon." Probably good judgment, though, from the not-Newts. The concept is self-mocking; it needs only be mentioned. And it is especially damaging to Newt, because it provides a vivid example of his out-of-the-box, transformational, big, new ideas.
A good line that was missed would have been responding to the Kennedy quote with, "I promise to take America to a balanced budget before the end of the decade."
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt's a shame when NRO writers think that it's a horrifying think to mention "firing people".
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNewt promises a moon base did he is elected. Michelle Bachmann promised 2 dollar/gallon gas if she was elected. Ironically, Newt's promise is the more plausible of the two.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSomebody needs to do a good space cadet youtube mocking Newt and his colony. The music would have to include the lyric, "Ground control to Major Newt...ground control to Major Newt."
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSpaceX put the first private sector cargo capsule into orbit, and recovered it, for a little over a half-billion dollars. They are the nation's best bet, at this point, to not have to hitch rides to ISS from Vladimir Putin. Maybe Mr. Gingrich is getting a little ahead of events, but I don't think he's too far ahead.
I wish John Hood knew what the hell he was talking about.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNewt's three marriages may explain his fascination with the moon...
But your comment is absolutely right. We need to figure out how government can help make private space exploration work (a big way would be to get out of the way of it and allow it to proceed--not to fund some bloated bureaucracy in Cape Kennedy and in Houston). Once space really starts to pay for itself, you will see it...well take off.
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