While it’s hard to avoid flying into the flame of firebrand politics, I try to remember that this election is about issues, not personalities. It’s about judgment, not rhetoric. It’s about deciding who can lead and govern in a way that solves our most urgent problems, as opposed to pandering to the worst inclinations in all of us. So it’s refreshing, indeed, delightful, to come across a group of people who are attempting to define important national issues and to provide a forum for the Presidential candidates to express their views on those issues.The Science Debate 2008 grassroots initiative is dedicated to defining science and technology issues that pose challenges to our nation’s future. The group just released the responses of Barack Obama to their questionnaire. It’s well worth reading and referring to as a source of detailed and informed statements about Barack Obama’s views on not only science and technology, but issues such as stem cell research, nuclear technology, climate change, science education, space exploration, and scientific freedom. More after the jump.
Science Debate 2008 was formed to provide a forum for scientists, policymakers, and concerned citizens to define and debate science and technology issues. In their words...
“Science and technology lie at the center of a very large number of the policy issues that face our nation and the world—issues that profoundly affect our national and economic security...”
Because science and technology cut across many (if not most) of the issues facing us in this election, the Science Debate 2008 offers more than a scientist’s wish list for Presidential candidates. It offers a profound look at how the science and technology debate can serve to define national priorities and inspire a new generation of ideas and solutions. As they note:
We believe these scientific and technological policy challenges can bring out the best in the entrepreneurial American spirit. America can be a leader in finding cures for our worst diseases, inventing the best alternative energy sources, and graduating the most scientifically literate children in the world—or we can concede these economic and humanitarian benefits to other countries.
The story of the genesis of Science Debate 2008 is a fascinating one and I encourage you to go to their web site to read it as an example of how a grassroots effort can blossom into a serious and substantive movement. From a list of more than 3,400 questions submitted by more than 38,000 scientists, engineers, academic and business leaders, elected officials, and citizens, the group came up with 14 questions that address “the most important unresolved challenges facing the United States.” These questions were given to each candidate. Barack Obama was the first to respond. John McCain’s answers are pending.
Here are a few highlights. Click here for the complete answers.
- What policies will you support to ensure that America remains the world leader in innovation?
“As president, I will launch a Service Scholarship program that pays undergraduate or graduate teaching education costs for those who commit to teaching in a high-need school, and I will prioritize math and science teachers. Additionally, my proposal to create Teacher Residency Academies will also add 30,000 new teachers to high-need schools – training thousands of science and math teachers.”
- What is your position on the following measures that have been proposed to address global climate change—a cap-and-trade system, a carbon tax, increased fuel-economy standards, or research?
“There can no longer be any doubt that human activities are influencing the global climate and we must react quickly and effectively...Specifically, I will implement a market-based cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions by the amount scientists say is necessary: 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. I will start reducing emissions immediately by establishing strong annual reduction targets with an intermediate goal of reducing emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. A cap- and-trade program draws on the power of the marketplace to reduce emissions in a cost- effective and flexible way. I will require all pollution credits to be auctioned.”
- What is your view of how science and technology can best be used to ensure national security and where should we put our focus?
My administration will put basic defense research on a path to double and will assure strong funding for investments in DoD’s applied research programs. We will enhance the connections between defense researchers and their war-fighting counterparts. And, we will strengthen defense research management so that our most innovative minds are working on our most pressing defense problems.
- What is your position on government regulation and funding of stem cell research?
As president, I will lift the current administration’s ban on federal funding of research on embryonic stem cell lines created after August 9, 2001 through executive order, and I will ensure that all research on stem cells is conducted ethically and with rigorous oversight.
There are a dozen more excellent questions and detailed responses. As an oceanographer, I’ll leave you with one of my favorites.
- What steps, if any, should the United States take during your presidency to protect ocean health?
I will work actively to ensure that the U.S. ratifies the Law of the Sea Convention – an agreement supported by more than 150 countries that will protect our economic and security interests while providing an important international collaboration to protect the oceans and its resources....I will work to reauthorize the Coastal Zone Management Act in ways that strengthen the collaboration between federal agencies and state and local organizations.
Obama’s detailed positions on these and many other issues are also available on the campaign’s web site. I encourage you to become familiar with a few of the ones that are important to you and tell everyone you know. By making this election about issues, we can win. But we have a lot of groundwork left to do to educate voters and get the word out that Barack Obama has outlined a very pragmatic and forward-thinking strategy for solving the many challenges that face us.
Discover Magazine also did a piece on Obama's science policy here.