Just as the support of Congress is vital to a humans-to-Mars program, so too is the support of the President. In 2004, when President Bush announced the Vision for Space Exploration, humans-to-Mars got a major jump start. Unfortunately, if the next President is not as friendly to space, they could kill it just as easily. Thus, the Mars Society has created a plan for ensuring that the next president is amenable to the VSE:

1. Impromptu Meetings with Presidential Candidates: In 2000, we began a program called Operation President. During this program, we had people around the country asking presidential candidates their position on humans to Mars. We have already begun this process for the 2008 campaign.
2. Meetings with Candidate Staff: We have arranged meetings with staff members of presidential candidates and other influential people in government, and will be continuing to do so as the campaign moves foward.
3. Meetings with Candidates: We hope to arrange formal sit-down meetings with as many presidential candidates as possible. We have already begun the process of contacting them.
4. 2008 Political Conventions: In collaboration with other groups, we intend to stage large space related events (most likely receptions) at both political conventions in 2008. We hope to have luminaries from the space community as well as Hollywood present to help attract delegates and elected officials.
5. Platform Language: In 2000, we co-authored the space language that appeared on the 2000 Republican National platform. In 2008, we hope to get strong pro-space language on both party platforms. We have already begun speaking to Democratic and Republican officials to gain their support for this goal.

Articles:

• Early article on 2008 presidential campaign
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