My 2 Cents: Gingrich Promises Moon Base by 2020 If Elected

A few months ago I lamented the last space shuttle flight and the gradual dismantling of NASA itself. Now comes Republican Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, speaking along the Space Coast of Florida currying favor and votes by promising to establish a Moon base by 2020 if he's elected.

I long for America to retake the lead in the Space race, to return to the Moon since it's been 40 years since we first went there.

And while I appreciate Gingrich's vision, I have to wonder just how much of this Moon base talk is simply pandering to downtrodden NASA employees in the Sunshine State.

His chief rival, Mitt Romney, claims that's all it is and that if he had an executive come to him with such an idea he'd fire him on the spot.

Considering the fact that we have to hitch hike with the Russians just to get to the Space Station now, building Moonville USA seems a little out of reach, and it would cost untold billions of dollars.

I appreciate Newt's big idea, but it's time for a reality check, NASA has to be revived first.

Then let's re-establish our leadership here on Earth before plotting to take the Moon.