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From: wbpesch@ihuxp.UUCP (Walt Pesch)
Newsgroups: net.misc,net.politics,net.space
Subject: SPACE Issues in the Election
Message-ID: <882@ihuxp.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 31-Oct-84 14:08:26 EST
Article-I.D.: ihuxp.882
Posted: Wed Oct 31 14:08:26 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 1-Nov-84 07:47:53 EST
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
Lines: 69

The following is from the American Space Foundation News, a newsletter
put out by a pro-space group that is for the promotion of the
development of space.  


                       SPACE EMERGES AS ELECTION ISSUE

The issue of the future of America's involvement in space has emerged
as part of the Presidential campaign.  President Reagan has maintained
a strong commitment to space - witnessed by his support for the
permanently manned space station - while former Vice President
Mondale, as of press time, was said to be thinking about the issue
(my note: and he is still thinking.)

As stated by Tom Freiling, Director of Campaign for Space, "We
couldn't have come up with a better contrast between a Democrat
candidate who tried to kill the space shuttle ten years ago and a
President who is an absolute space nut."  Similar comments were made
by Spacepac's Scott Pace, who said, "As far as we're concerned, Mr.
Mondale's record is atrocious on space issues."

If Mondale runs true to form, we should not expect much in the way of
support for continued American involvement in space.  After all, this
is the man who has said, "...the [space] shuttle and station is a
project without justification...and I have attempted to stop this
project for the past two years.  Unfortunately, we have not been
successful."  And further, "...[the space shuttle] will be one of the
most wasteful, useless projects ever developed by any federal agency;
or for that matter, by anyone else."

The Republican and Democratic platforms also showed radical
differences on the subject of space as the foundation of America's
future.  Republicans stated, "We encourage the commercial space
transportation industry.  We share President Reagan's vision of the
permanent manned space station within a decade, viewing it as the
first stepping stone toward creating a multibillion dollar private
economy in space."

The Democratic Platform Committee, chaired by Vice Presidential
nominee Ferraro, issued a strong denunciation of the Administration's
Strategic Defense Initiative and a luke-warm reference to civilian
space activities.

ASF Executive Director Fred Whiting testifies before the Democratic
Platform Committee here in Washington, D. C., as well as an ad hoc
group of moderate Republican Senators.  Testimony was also submitted
in writing  to Republican Platform Committee Chairman Rep. Trent Lott
(R-MS).


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A final brief note about the ASF.  They are a political action group
interested in promoting the development of space.  There is a $15
membership fee, and they publish a newsletter quarterly.  Their
address is:

American Space Foundation
214 Massachusettes Avenue, N.E.
Suite 420
Washington, D.C.  20002
(202) 546-4474

---------


Walt Pesch
AT&T Technologies
ihnp4!ihuxp!wbpesch