Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihuxp.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!ihnp4!ihuxp!wbpesch 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). --------- 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