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It sounds to me like McCain or his advisers have been talking to Newt Gingrich. He's been a long-time advocate of awarding prizes, which are a major part of his poll-tested Platform of the American People (the numbers in parentheses refect the level of public support):

--Prizes should be given to companies and individuals that invent creative ways to solve problems.

--We support giving large financial prizes to companies and individuals who invent an affordable car that gets 100 miles to the gallon. (77 to 15)

---We support giving a large financial prize to the first company or individual who invents new ways to successfully cut pollution. (79 to 18)

We support giving a large financial prize to the first company or individual who invents a new, safer way to dispose of nuclear waste products. (79 to 16)

Gingrich also proposed a $20 billion reward for a private firm that completes the first Mars mission.