On the rovers' budget...
I don't think Tom was critical of the unexpected success of the MERs. I look at it as an opportunity to get the equivalent of 48 rover missions (3 months * 8 years * 2 rovers) for just the cost of operating the ground support infrastructure here. That's 46 spacecraft and boosters they didn't have to build and launch. Sounds like one of the more epic bargains of the space age.
Here on Earth is where NASA is unquestionably a political beast. A horse designed by dozens of congressional committees over the decades. With the DNA of a cash cow mixed in to sweeten the deal for industry and congressional home districts.
I think we're all in agreement on that.