Well, it seems he wants to make space and moon exploration/colonization a economic enterprise, which could then make it grow bigger.
Most of the time, people go where the money is and if this indeed could give economic benefits to business then by all means do it.
I like how it's a more pragmatic, realistic proposal instead of simply going there to go there, and futuristic plans and fantasy that always are postponed to the future.
Specially like how the Moon is targeted before going for Mars as it logically should be.
Now, having saying all that, all I have left to say is 'AAAHH!!! REPUBLICAN!! AAHHH!!'
EDIT:
"This is also the first step for manned missions deeper into our solar system. A permanent human presence on other celestial bodies requires in situ resource utilization. The Moon, with its three-day emergency journey back to Earth, represents the best place to learn, train, and develop the necessary technologies and techniques for in situ resource utilization and an eventual long term human presence on Mars."
Holly crap it's exactly my points, which I have been stating in this thread for a long time. I do hope he get's the job.