On Launch Day, LeMieux Blasts Nelson and Obama for 'Decimating' Space Coast

Hours before Space Shuttle Endeavor's scheduled final mission, U.S. Senate candidate George LeMieux launched an attack on Sen. Bill Nelson.

"Americas leadership in manned space exploration is nearing its end and Floridians need to be mindful that the demise of the space program came on the watch of President Barack Obama and Senator Bill Nelson," LeMieux said in a statement.

"Directionless, underfunded and without mission, America stands at risk to ceding its leadership in space to the Russians and Chinese.

"Here at home, 23,000 of Floridas best and brightest will lose their jobs, decimating the Space Coast region and a substantial portion of our states intellectual capital," said LeMieux, who is vying for the Republican nomination.

LeMieux's campaign started running online ads, viewable by NASA staff andtheir families on Launch Day.