I am not criticizing Gates' choice. It is his money.
I am not saying that it is easy to find the rich Texan analogue.
I guess I do have to repeat an old rant. I am saying that it is a GOOD idea to make space exploration exciting and popularized as it increases the (slight in my opinion) probability that someday, perhaps before the late 2030s, someone funds a Mission to Mars. Given technology curves and advances in CAD and simulation capabilities, the complex R&D design tasks should be far less expensive in real dollars than Apollo. I have consistently stated that the private sponsor is a more likely scenario than a massive govt project, which will NOT happen. Too many whining gimmie guys lining up for govt largesse ahead of a "wasteful" trip to Mars for an "elite few". THAT program ain't gonna happen. It hasn't happened for 30 long years.

-p