NASA Administrator O’Keefe Endorses Riley During Huntsville Visit

Huntsville – NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe endorsed Bob Riley’s campaign for governor today during a visit to Huntsville, citing the congressman’s “enlightened” vision to build a high-tech research-based economy in Alabama.

“Bob Riley is an enlightened leader who understands the critical nature of research investment, and Alabama’s economy will prosper under Bob Riley’s leadership,” O’Keefe said during a news conference at Huntsville’s Space & Rocket Center. “Bob Riley is the right man with the right plan for Alabama.”

A key component in Riley’s “Plan for Change” calls for more attention and investment in sectors of the economy that cannot be moved to places like Mexico and China for cheap labor. High-tech businesses, such as aero-space, bio-tech, and medical and pharmacological research can only be adequately performed in America, and Riley wants to make Alabama the most high-tech-friendly state in the union.

“Having NASA’s administrator fly down from Washington to endorse my campaign for governor illustrates the viability of my plan to build a new high-tech research-based economy in Alabama,” Riley said. “Administrator O’Keefe’s strong endorsement highlights his confidence that Alabama can become a vital part of the new economy if given the right leadership.”

“Alabama already has the foundation, but we must build a solid network among our research universities and businesses so the world will look to Alabama as a leader,” Riley said, adding that the state should build upon it’s successes, like those at Huntsville’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the medical discoveries being made at the University of South Alabama and UAB, and the transportation and agricultural advances at Auburn University.

“Like the President who I serve, Bob Riley is a uniter, not a divider,” O’Keefe said. “Bob Riley has shown time and time again in Congress that he’s willing to reach across the isle to solve problems, but will never compromise his principles.”