I wouldn't say that there should be any rule that every one of the states should get a piece of the action. There may be good and sufficient reasons for geographic diversity. For example, wage rates are lower in some states than in others, so it's advantageous to the taxpayer to have a piece of equipment built in a place where the wage rates are lower. But with the exception of things of that sort, to have it spread all across the country is probably not the most efficient way to do things. When it is done that way and produces such a strong political constituency, that's very good for the program; the program is more likely to go forward given that kind of political constituency.
On March 29th, 2007. See this statement in context.