Bolden Throws Bridenstine Some Shade

Former NASA Administrator Weighs in on New Space Agency Head, EOS

"Eos: Why wouldn't Jim Bridenstine have been your first choice?

Bolden: He would not have been my first choice because he's a politician. And he is the first person, to my knowledge, ever selected from political office to become the NASA administrator. I don't think it's healthy for the agency to have someone who's a partisan in that position. The position calls for somebody who can carry out the president's agenda to the best of his ability but do it in a nonpartisan way and be able to work across the aisle. And I think his history is such that he may find some difficulty in working across the aisle."

Keith's note: It is amusing to hear Bolden say this. He was not President Obama's first choice to head NASA. He got the job in great part due to overt political lobbying by Sen. Nelson. The bulk of Bolden's job was politics - internal and external. Indeed, his position was "political" in that President Obama nominated him to enact his Administration's policies. If Bolden had gained some political experience prior to heading NASA he might have made more headway on some of the ongoing political issues that he had with the White House and Congress. Just sayin', Charlie.