[VRM]

Mike,
A GOP Congress investigated this project because of the cost back in 2001 and limited future funding.
A DNC Congress voted initial funding for the project.
Other labs (also full of bright folks) think that this project is a waste of money. They have also complained that a more conservative approach needs to be taken because the people at LLNL are playing a bit too free and loose (spending lots of money on experiments, but learning lots of things in the process)

That said, Tom Harkin (D) made a big stink about the cost of this as well.

This is not a simple GOP/DNC issue - trying to make it one is not going to get you anywhere.

BTW, this is the same place that had one of the lead guys get caught a few years ago for not really having his doctorate from some prestigious university. I think a few of us chatted about it in the Lounge...

BTW, I am all in favour of it.

Steve