Obama's Planetarium Projector Earmark Explained

John McCain accused Barack Obama of a seemingly outlandish request for Chicago's planetarium during the second presidential debate Tuesday, saying that the Democratic candidate backed a "$3 million [earmark] for an overhead projector at a planetarium in Chicago, Ill. My friends, do we need to spend that kind of money?"

The AP fact-checked the claim:

McCain's phrase suggests Obama spent $3 million on an old-fashioned piece of office equipment that projects charts and text on a wall screen. In fact, the money was for an overhaul of the theater system that projects images of stars and planets for educational shows at Chicago's Adler Planetarium. When he announced the $3 million earmark last year, Obama said the planetarium's 40-year-old projection system "has begun to fail, leaving the theater dark and groups of school students and other interested museum-goers without this very valuable and exciting learning experience."

But McCain's remark was enough to make Adler Planetarium officials issue a statement defending the scientific validity of the request:

To clarify, the Adler Planetarium requested federal support - which was not funded - to replace the projector in its historic Sky Theater, the first planetarium theater in the Western Hemisphere. The Adler's Zeiss Mark VI projector - not an overhead projector - is the instrument that re-creates the night sky in a dome theater, the quintessential planetarium experience. The Adler's projector is nearly 40 years old and is no longer supported with parts or service by the manufacturer. It is only the second planetarium projector in the Adler's 78 years of operation.

Science literacy is an urgent issue in the United States. To remain competitive and ensure
national security, it is vital that we educate and inspire the next generation of explorers to
pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

Senator McCain's statements about the Adler Planetarium's request for federal support do
not accurately reflect the museum's legislative history or relationship with Senator Obama.

Sen. Dick Durbin and six Chicago-area Congressman, three of whom are Republicans, also agreed to sponsor the unsuccessful $3 million earmark.

Planetariums in New York and Los Angeles recently replaced their Zeiss projection systems with federal funding, the Tribune reports.

Comments

[DieHardObamaSupporter]

And we wonder why our educational system is in the toilet. I knew when he made that reference during the debate, it was a lie. That's equivalent to going to the store and requesting an 8 track player.

[Nyla785]

As a child in Chicago, I loved our school trips to the Planetarium, and whole universe it opened up to me. During those visits I was instilled with a deep love of science that continued into my adult life. People visit Chicago from all over the world and enjoy this planetarium. How like the Republicans to belittle this money for scientific understanding and enjoyment.

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[bola47]

the repubs do not believe in science so they have no comprehension of what a planetarium is.

[rockyb26]

This doesn't surprise me. I'm convinced that every time McCain opens his mouth he's lying or blatantly distorting the issues. I know that BO would never ask for money that wasn't for a good, worthy cause. Thanks!

[Choicematters]

Thank you for the clarification, but as an Illinoisan, I knew his remark was bullcrap!!

Thousands of students and visitors visit the Planetarium. Our children and visitors should be exposed to the education of our SOLAR system. Kids as far as Northern Illinois near the WI border to the southern parts of the state, travel to Chicago for this important school trip and I resent McCain making fun of it.

What I didn't know was that they didn't get the funding. He made it sound as though they had been given the funding. I say, we get them the funding they need!!

What a disgrace! McCain should be ashamed of himself.

I'm glad I'm voting and supporting "That one."

[notthistime]

bravo!

[obamasOHangel]

When you are the lowest common denominator of intelligence of course you wouldn't understand the validity or importance of a project such as this one. McCain and those of his ilk would like to keep our children as stupid as they are.

[redsongia]

When I heard 3 million for the Chicago Planetarium, I thought, "wow, that's not much."

[suzycolorado]

i know. it's a freakin' planetarium for godsake. soooo valuable for education. d@mn that Obama, there he goes again with all his high fallutin' education talk again!

[Hereslookingatu]

In a move of easily anticipated anti-intel­lectualism­--the sort all too frequently associated with the Republican party--McCain can't help but speak disparagingly of scientific research and discovery. However, no one in the Republican party seemed to care when W suggested that we should refocus our efforts--no less, during two wildly out of control wars--to get men to Mars. Shameless.

[Cynth]

What's there to know? According to Palin, Earth is only 6,000 years old....

[zurichmom]

...and Jesus rode a dinosaur into Jerusalem.

[ManwithaParachute]

It doesn't surprise me that McCain and Campaign would be unable to see the value or that they would expect the American populace to think this was a waste of monies. These people believe in ignorance - they worship it.

Like bacteria their philosophy requires a dark and dampened human spirit and intellect to thrive and spread. I will take a Chicago politician over a eff'd up naval brat or an Alaska first Barbie any day. John McCain is not a leader and Sarah Palin is no Jane Byrne.

Having grown up in Chicago and I have many memories of Adler Planetarium. I can recall 5 field trips to downtown Chicago specifically to spend the day at Adler. This does not include the numerous school trips to the other museums downtown. Like many I feel tremendously lucky to have grown up there. Knowledge and education serve to inoculate one's soul. Chicago is known for many things. The museums district doesn't get the publicity or recognition it deserves in the MSM. But when I meet a fellow Chicagoan who have moved away, the museums and the culture are always discussed with longing. There are many great places in this country but very few can match Chicago for the opportunities of the mind.

[zurichmom]

Manwithaparachute, you're making me homesick! And I only lived in Chicago a short time. I also have fond memories of the Chicago area museums -- especially the Science Museum. It's so sad that McCain has chosen to make fun of Americans who believe in educating themselves by visiting the country's museums and planetariums. I guess we can expect no less from such a poor student, who finished at the bottom of his class.