Should we really be surprised?
Bush is trying to keep his den of thieves afloat - he doesn't have the
time or the knowledge to focus on space beyond anything other than
vague platitudes.
I doubt the rest of the candidates have any more of a clue about
space than Bush does. As for Hillary, if she is following Bill's view
on space, she won't care, either.
I don't know if a real candidate who actually knew and cared about
space would also make a good President, but it would be refreshing
from the crops of lawyers we always get stuck with. Of course anyone
who focused on space would likely be ridiculed out of a chance to run
and win, thanks to an equally ignorant public. Just ask that Brown
guy from California.