My impression was that Palin was talking about Sputnik, which is Russia *starting* the space race. Or just making technological progress, depending on your POV; satellites have been very useful. Lots of people think the US won the race, what with putting people on the moon first. Though I'd note the Russians did better with long-term stations like Mir and cheap reliable access like Soyuz, so in practical terms it's open for debate. But I doubt was getting that detailed.

You make a good point about the cold war. Shame we can't educate people for its own sake, or even for productivity.