NASA KSC PAO Weighs In On Election 2008

Nine: NASA Spokesman Ts-Off on Obama at Florida Tech; kids get extra credit to listen

“No one from the school, neither students, nor the faculty, said a word contrary, or even questioned when Bruce Buckingham, NASA spokesman and news coordinator took a huge verbal swipe at presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama. Without warning, the talk had drifted into the political arena. It would drift back to center again when the ‘no-no’ topic “peace” reared its unpolitic head from this attendee. Lamenting the fact that candidates have “not made space a priority,” Buckingham said Obama’s proposed education plans were anti-NASA and should be rejected by Brevard voters. Buckingham cited earlier, unspecified reports that Obama’s plans to bolster national education would be funded “out of the hide of NASA.” “I’m not sure I like that,” Buckingham continued. “I’m not sure the voters of Brevard County would appreciate that.”

Editor’s note: I sense that there is possibly some less than accurate and out of context quoting going on here. I have asked KSC PAO for clarification.

Editor’s update: According to Allard Beutel at NASA KSC PAO: “We’re trying to verify what was and wasn’t said at this event, but at this point I honestly don’t know. If what was blogged is accurate then obviously the views expressed by Mr. Buckingham are his own personal opinion and don’t reflect an official position by NASA. As you know, the agency can’t and doesn’t do that. I expect to learn more, but that’s all I have right now.”