Bush now uncertain about previous Space Center visit Associated Press SPACE CENTER -- President Bush is no longer so sure he's been here before. A day after telling reporters that Bush had visited Johnson Space Center while serving as governor of Texas in the 1990s, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer backpedaled from that assertion. "I think right now it's somewhat murky," the press secretary said aboard Air Force One today, en route to a memorial service for the seven Columbia astronauts who died in last weekend's tragedy. On Monday, Fleischer dismissed suggestions that Bush had not been interested in the NASA program before the Columbia crash and rejected a report that Bush had never been to the Space Center. He told reporters the president visited the facility near Houston in 1995 or 1996. The spokesman did not know the exact date, and promised to do more research. Fleischer said Tuesday that after further review, Bush's staff could find no record of the visit. "Johnson Space Center says that he did not go there, and I'm not able to find the exact date. So that's why I say it's murky," Fleischer said. "To the president's recollection, he thinks he has been there," his spokesman said, adding that Bush's staff from Texas also thought they recalled such a visit. The spokesman said Bush has never seen a NASA launch or landing, in part because there are so many other beautiful things to see in the country that he has yet to explore. -----------
Good ol' Dubya. The sad thing is that this tragedy probably could have been prevented if the space program was allocated more funds by the government. Columbia probably wasn't totally fit to be launched into space, given how old it was. But who needs space, there's no fossil fuels out there!
Uh, does he remember ever seeing a Saturn V rocket laying horizontally on the ground in sections? Kind of hard to miss.
Reminds me of a funny I read today..... If Ari Fleischer were Pinnochio, his nose would be 50 feet long and caked in cocaine!
Where's the outrage? Conservatives accused the brainiac Al Gore of being a liar... even when he spoke the truth. Is Bush held to a lower standard simply b/c he's an idiot? Ummm... like I went there. Or maybe I dreamt it.
Uhh, didn't he just give NASA a boost is his new budget proposal? I'm not sure why this is newsworthy. Does him visiting or not visiting have any bearing on how much he cares for NASA? And do I care if he cares about NASA?
I think ya'll are reaching a little on this one. Sometimes I can't remember if I have been somewhere if it was like 10 years ago. Doesn't seem like a big deal. And Bush was trying to increase NASA funding but was prevented from doing so when the dems held the Senate.
Hmmm. During the campaign, Gore claimed to go on a FEMA trip to Texas with James Lee Witt. When it was established that he didn't accompany Witt but instead went with FEMA's number two guy, he was hammered for "embellishing" and "boasting." Gore apologized and said he mixed up that trip with a previous one. (He went on about 15 FEMA trips during his time as VP, some with Witt and some without. Critics failed to explain how boasting about hanging out with such a minor figure as Witt would help his candidacy.) I wonder what kind of outcry will spew forth from Rush, Fox News, and similar ilk about Bush's NASA non-visit? And by the way, I love the spin in the last paragraph... "The spokesman said Bush has never seen a NASA launch or landing, in part because there are so many other beautiful things to see in the country that he has yet to explore." Like maybe ANWR and all the other places he wants drilling rigs to operate? Or all those beautiful things that costs billions per year, send people beyond our atmosphere, fund a bunch of contractors, and contribute to the economic well-being and the prestige of your state? Give me a break. The guy has no appreciation for beauty, not much interest in science or space, and the only exploring he wants to do is underground for oil... and he couldn't even do that right. Also, what a wierd thing for a spokesman to say when asked about NASA.
I agree that's its reaching, its just stupid. I've been to the Smithsonian once, 17 years ago. I remember it very well. The first time I went to NASA was 19 years ago, I haven't forgotten. I've never been to the Grand Canyon. If I never go, I never will think I've been.
Yeah...I'm sure when Gore said he invented the internet, he was just getting it confused with one of his many other inventions. I don't see what Bush would have to gain by telling people yesterday that he visited NASA. Back to your regularly scheduled Bush-bashing, where seemingly no topic is off limits.
TheFreak, I know they probably haven't covered this on AM radio or FoxNews yet, but if you have a chance to look up Gore and the Internet you'll find that Gore had alot to do with our conversation right now. Seriously, some of you republicans fit into a stereotype. Whenever I have conversations with you guys I wonder "are all republicans hate mongering simpletons". Then I remind myself that the republican party is also in the north.
To be honest, I don't remember if I have ever been to NASA either. I lived in Houston for 22 years, so it seems like I must have went sometime, bui I have no recollection.
You would remember if you were the governor. It wasn't like he would have been on some 5th grade field trip.
Maybe this is similar to how he couldn't remember that he had gotten a DUI. Maybe this is similar to how he couldn't remember when and where he fulfilled his National Guard duty. Maybe this is how he couldn't remember that he was drinking after the age of 40. Maybe he's just a liar or a ****ing idiot. Let's call him disingenuous to be nice.
Let me get this straight. Bush has NEVER been to the Johnson Space Center? Is that something still being figured out? I went in the late '70's... took some people from another country as a favor to someone for a tour (the someone got us permission). It was amazing what we were allowed to see. Everyone was VERY nice. I've never forgotten it. It really IS a hard place to forget. I went more recently with my kids and it was a lot like a theme park. I recommend it to anyone, but it's not like it was the first time I went. It was all business then.
