Robert M. Bowman American politician Date of Birth: 01.01.1934 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Education
2. Military Service
3. Religious Involvement
4. Opposition to Star Wars
5. Anti-War Activism
6. Political Campaigns
7. Congressional Candidacies

Early Life and Education

Robert Bowman received his Master of Science in aeronautics and astronautical engineering from the California Institute of Technology.

Military Service

Bowman served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force and conducted 101 combat missions. He was the Director of Advanced Space Programs for the U.S. Air Force during the administrations of Presidents Ford and Carter.

Religious Involvement

Bowman is heavily involved in religion. He is the Archbishop in the United Catholic Church, an independent Catholic communion founded in 1996 and aligned with the Old Catholic Church. He also serves as the Executive Director of the Christian Support Network.

Opposition to Star Wars

Despite his involvement in space programs and defense, Bowman publicly criticized the Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars) proposed during Ronald Reagan's presidency. He described it as "absolute military lunacy, entirely impractical and highly vulnerable" on "The MacNeil-Lehrer News Hour."

Anti-War Activism

Bowman established the Institute for Security and Space Studies and its publication "Space & Security News." He authored two books on the Strategic Defense Initiative and opposed its offshoot, the National Missile Defense, under President George H.W. Bush. Bowman actively collaborated with "Veterans for Peace" and "Vietnam Veterans Against the War," often representing these organizations as a speaker. He was a member of the Peace Commission in Washington, D.C.

Political Campaigns

In 2000, Bowman ran for the Reform Party's presidential nomination, reportedly outperforming Pat Buchanan but losing to John Hagelin. In the California presidential primary, he finished third among five Reform Party candidates. Considered a potential running mate for John Hagelin of the Natural Law Party and a leading Reform Party contender, he was eventually bypassed for the vice presidential nomination by Nat Goldhaber. In 2004, Bowman attempted another presidential run but withdrew in favor of John Kelly.

Congressional Candidacies

In 2005, Bowman collected signatures to run for Congress as a Democrat. Timothy Shipe, a Democrat who withdrew due to ineligibility, later replaced him in the Democratic Party of Florida. Bowman won the primary in September 2006 and became the party's candidate. In October 2008, he campaigned for Independent candidate for Congress Kevin Barrett, who received 2% of the vote.