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AP Photo/Evan Vucci
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich speaks at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – As many voters across the country were casting votes in Super Tuesday States, Newt Gingrich was talking about space exploration in Rocket City, U.S.A.
“What we're in today is a launching pad -- this isn't the end state for the space program, this is the launching pad for the next phase of excitement and invention,” Gingrich told the several hundred people gathered at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center -- home of Space Camp.
The former House speaker, who is hoping to win big in Georgia Tuesday night and start to relaunch his presidential campaign, defended his dreams for America’s space program despite criticisms from his GOP rivals.
“I want to restate -- far from backing off -- I want to restate: America has a destiny in space,” Gingrich said. “It is a part of who we are. We are not going to back off from John Kennedy’s challenge and we are not going to go timidly into the night allowing the Chinese to dominate the future of space.”
While campaigning on Florida’s Space Coast late in January, Gingrich called for a creation of a colony on the moon by 2020. His comments resulted in some mockery by late night comedians and questions by people in his own party but the former speaker still choose to gave another speech on space the day 11 states cast votes in this tight Republican primary.
Gingrich spokesman, R.C. Hammond, told reporters he has one thing to say to all the “naysayers.”
“The same folks who mock Newt Gingrich for having vision in science, are the same people who don't want to cure cancer, the same people who are content to live with Alzheimer's, the same people who don't want to fix our public school systems, are the same people who look at a problem and say, 'Well, I can live with that, lets not worry about fixing that.' They're the same critics that created the tea party by turning the Republican Party away from it's actual values,” he said.
Hartselle, Alabama resident Mary Hatfield told NBC News she is leaning toward voting for Gingrich in the primary next week because of his “wealth of experience,” noting she is glad the speaker came to talk about space today.
“I think it should be a part of the discussion,” she said. “There are other things more crucial to our country right now, yes, but I think we have to be part of space exploration because someone is going to do it if we don’t.”
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Newt should quit hitting the "Tang" so hard... he's NO George Jetson!
Although, Calista of the plastic hair could pass for Jane...
carrot top should stop hitting the boiler makers at her favority truck stops.... she's starting to sound more and more like Daffy Duck, who coincidentally is one of those multiple voters in MSNBC's recent polls on Barry's 'confidence ratings', wink... wink!
For all the years Newt Gingrich has been in public life, it's kind of hard to believe that he had so little to offer. I've never particularly liked him, but I thought he would at least be a serious candidate, but as we've seen, he's been anything but. One of the most unprofessional campaigns I've ever witnessed. He reminds me of Sarah Palin. Just say whatever pomps into their minds and hope it sticks.
I expected way more from Newt. He is a former Speaker of the House for goodness sakes.
Gingrich is just blowing smoke. On the other hand, I think Bill and Bum are smoking something entirely different...
Newt...give up the "moonbase" thingie...we're BROKE, remember?
[Gingrich wins Georgia primary]
Looks like there's gonna be some wood in the old toothpick tonight, Calista! Get out the vinegar, cuz here comes NOOOOOT!
Sailcat - I think Billy & the Bum are demonstrating the consequences of sucking on tailpipes...
The sad thing is the space exploration is a valuable topic, one that I agree with Newt on and needs further funding and acknowledgement. That being said...what the hell is he doing running his campaign on the topic of space? This is not an issue that concerns many Americans and its baffling to me that he continues to assert himself as Kennedy's future ally in space exploration. Stop avoiding the real issues and get to the topics that address the current citizen Newt.
"I think Billy & the Bum are demonstrating the consequences of sucking on tailpipes..."
Yow, Feisty! You are right on the numbers!
I ♥ my little pets! lol
Ground Control to Major Tom...
“Gingrich spokesman, R.C. Hammond, told reporters he has one thing to say to all the “naysayers” . The same folks who mock Newt Gingrich for having vision in science, are the same people who don't want to cure cancer, the same people who are content to live with Alzheimer's"
Granted, it's almost impossible to choose, but this may be one of the stupidest comments I've ever read in a political campaign. Who, exactly, are the people who don't want to cure cancer and are content to live with Alzheimer's? Can I have a show of hands, please?
I was thinking today, JoAnne, that the Republicans have done their job so well on the deficit that every idea they have makes me ask: how will we pay for it? Sure it would be great to explore space but the Republicans aren't willing to raise taxes or cut defense spending, even in a compromise with other spending cuts, so where will the money come from?
And if I had a choice, I'd rather see any money being spent go to cure cancer and Alzheimer's than for a moon base.
Is he talking about the empty space between his ears?? Now when "Nutty Newt" was in the hospital he continued to spew about outer space. During group sessions "Nutty Newt" was threatening others with the wooden phaser gun that he made in his Arts and Crafts Class. This caused the nurses to rush in and put the straight jacket on him. Again! At the dinner table "Nutty Newt" keeps talking about how he likes space food, and how he would set up a restaurant drive thru on the moon. Again! Now "Nutty Newt" is not allowed in the yard because, the guards found another underground tunnel that he was digging with his trusty plastic spoon. Now during the rare times he is allowed in the lounge. "Lunatic Limbaugh" talks constantly about having an "Elephant Rodeo" on the moon. Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! The Party of NO has got to GO!!
Giving tax cuts for the rich and going to war wasn't enough for the republicans, now Newt wants tax cuts for the rich and build a moon colony and war.
Tax cuts and war, what could possibly go wrong with a plan like that? Didn't it work when Bush was president, at least that is what I keep hearing from the republicans about the incredible condition our economy was in until President Obama was elected and ruined it all.
Remember to vote ... Obama/Biden 2012
Newt to Earth: C'Mon up...the view is great!