W's FY2009 Budget Request

President Bush's final full budget request of $3.1 trillion was released this morning. Needless to say, there is already much controversy over what gets cut and how big the deficit is.

Alan Boyle sees some good things for science, with a big 'if' concerning ongressional approval.

"If those labs can get through this year, and appropriations follow the requests, then starting next year, those labs and those physical programs will be in much better shape," Koizumi told me.

That's a big if. Over the past seven years, Bush has repeatedly faced criticism for his approach to scientific issues such as global warming and stem cells - but on this issue, he's the one who looks like the champion of science, while members of Congress come off looking like Neanderthals.

Jeff Foust takes a first look focusing on the NASA portion of that budget.