I did say "O'Keefe" when I meant Goldin, didn't I? I'm sorry, that was unfair to O'Keefe.

As far as Goldin, I too was struck by that "please sir, may I have less?" approach. The guy was so painfully pandering to the politicians every time he proudly announced another NASA budget cut. That's pathological--an agency head is the agency's champion and advocate, period. His job is to fight for the largest share of the pie possible, and let the politicians do their proper job of sorting out competing demands. No agency head should work for the diminution of his own organization.

Mr. Griffin clearly knows all the answers and has the sheepskins and professional background and management team to prove it. O'Keefe's work was therefore unnecessary. You are in good hands. You have nothing to worry about.

But what about political spine and political skill? You're describing the job skills of an engineer or middle-level manager. The apex of an organization, especially in government, is much less about technical skill than it is about politicking and speechifying. Can Griffin sell NASA to the alpha politicians in Washington? Can he carry himself as their peer sufficiently well to garner their respect?