Yes I have been following the Ares news
And I am aware of problems with the rocket - but I seriously doubt any
reasons why McCain is threatening to cut NASA's budget have anything
to do with any inside knowledge about the space program.
NASA, space, and science are hardly high priorities on his list and
McCain has shown repeatedly how little he knows about science.
McCain will likely use cutting NASA to appease the Joe Sixpacks who
can see no need for sending rockets into space.