McCain's Manned Mission to Mars

John McCain is calling for a manned mission to Mars.

If that sounds familiar, remember a few years ago George Bush also put forward some talk about going to Mars. Just talk. If only he had a third term to get it accomplished...

McCain called Ray Bradbury's 1950 novel, "The Martian Chronicles," concerning humans colonizing Mars, one of his favorite books as a child.

"I am intrigued by a man on Mars and I think that it would excite the imagination of the American people if we can say, 'Hey, here's what it looks like," he said. "We know that now, and here's what may be there and let's all join in that project. I think Americans would be very willing to do that."

Contacted for comment, Plixney XQ89, chief spokesmen for the Martian central government, said, "We're still studying his proposal. But going by the Republicans' history of achievement, we aren't expecting it will be accomplished successfully any time soon."