Ungh. I read about it; not sure I can take Buzz going off about Mars again. Not that I disagree, and I definitely respect his passion,and I would never posture my opinions against the Pantheon of moon explorers... BUT... I think we are much more likely to pull off a lunar venture than a Mars one.
As mentioned, given the pendular nature of politics and the lack of a martyred president and a classic "enemy," I fear that either project is pretty unlikely at this point. But just WAIT till all those senators get hot-n-bothered about the Chinese landing on the moon and setting up shop in Tranquility Base. They will scream, "Who was asleep at the switch? HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN??" and you and I, my friends, will be there to remind them that it was... THEM.