I'm all for any program that has a good mix of robotic planetary exploration and a push toward man landings on other bodies. I'd also like to see some simplicity restored to our primary manned launch vehicles.

Excellent paragraph! I like your use of the word "simplicity" in that one, but that's just me. :)

Hmm, "From Kerry's stated platform, we could ping on ideals such as job creation, the growth of education, and research on new power sources. He also has this thing about JFK so we could shame him on Kennedy's moon program. " The "JFK thing" was more about competing with the USSR than landing on the moon itself.

As for future robotic plans, of the Fedrally funded kind and/or private (SpaceShip1,2....)I think they are A-OK so far... as in as far as they'll 'let' them get. So far, the plans are a 'go' and I hope they'll keep it that way.