Here's the real victory with the NASA Administrator's DeLay endorsement

[muse]

NASA Administrator Michael Griffin held a press conference on Friday to announce relaxed restrictions on NASA scientists/researchers ability to discuss their research in public. It makes me crazy with happiness that at that press conference, that is reported on in the following New York Times article from Friday, he had to address the Tom DeLay endorsement incident. It is significant that we have not only heard the NASA PR guy say Griffin is not going to campaign for or endorse anyone, but now we have heard that from Griffin himself.

A bunch of people held Griffin's feet to the fire on this and I am one of those who Griffin thinks "grossly misinterpreted" his remarks (see his email to me in an earlier post of mine.)

OH, WEll, Mike. I'm sorry you feel regretful. (see his email to me where he tells me twice he is sorry I feel disappointed. grrr)

From Friday's New York Time's article:

In the news conference, Dr. Griffin also addressed recent criticism suggesting that at a Rotary Club gala in Texas last week, he endorsed Representative Tom DeLay for re-election. Mr. DeLay, who gave up his post as House majority leader in September after being indicted in a campaign finance case, represents a district that includes the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The NASA chief has said that although he is entitled to issue political endorsements under certain circumstances, he will not. On Thursday he said he had not endorsed Mr. DeLay at the gathering but rather, in response to a gracious introduction from the congressman, had praised his support for the space program. While confirming his words, quoted in The Houston Chronicle, Dr. Griffin added that they were not as precise as they should have been and had been "grossly misinterpreted."

"The space program," Dr. Griffin said at the gala, "has had no better friend in its entire existence than Tom DeLay. He's still with us, and we need to keep him there."

Dr. Griffin said Thursday that he had meant keeping Mr. DeLay's support for the space program.

"I regret the inartful choice of words," he said. "I'm not endorsing anybody. I don't intend to."

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/31/science/31nasa.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[johncoby2]

1. GREAT work DUers and Muse especially!

This a HUGE victory for us in District 22.

DeLay has been using our Federal employees and other organizations accepting tax money and campaigning for him long enough.

This was one step in getting it stopped before the campaign.

Again thanks to everyone who wrote to him!

[efhmc]

2. What is really stupid about this is that any congressman/woman would

want to lend their full support to NASA and most might do it with out being felons.

[muse]

3. John had a ton to do with this, also

so I especially appreciate his helping me on this! Otherwise I would have had no clue.

:)