Glad you brought this up again. I downloaded the 100 meg PDF a while back that had been linked here (you?), and I was very impressed by their ideas. Caveating that it's all just paper (or "paper"), still, they made some strong arguments for why their way is better. The paper was from last September, and I was wondering if the idea had made any progress. Apparently it has, if it's getting what seems to be a hostile reception from NASA.

Near the end of the article is a reference to the election, suggesting that the Jupiter Underground might want to make it a political issue. I wonder how it might play out if Ares's problems and the Jupiter alternative became an issue (albeit a minor one)? It's potentially positive for a candidate who jumps on it, saving the taxpayers untold billions and Saving the Space Program. Also risky, in case Jupiter turns out to be heated exhaust gas. Just thinking aloud...