McCain Vs. Obama on Science
It’s easy to know where presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama stand on ever-hot topics, like the war or abortion. But what about various areas of scientific interest? Science Debate 2008 has made it their focus to clarify each candidate’s stance on issues like genetics research, energy and space. The full text is available at that link, but for those who enjoy abridged versions, the New York Times did a nice job of cutting the big block of text into bite-sized pieces.
The NYT points out that both candidates agree that global warming exists, though McCain would like to see carbon emissions drop by 60% while Obama aims for 80%. Similarly, both agree that genetics research is promising but frightening in its implications, assuring to fight workplace discrimination based upon one’s genetic code and continue the genetic modification of crops.
The biggest difference I noted was McCain’s interest in space. It’s one of the few responses where McCain’s opinion is lengthier and more policy specific than Obama’s, assuring continued NASA funding and naming space exploration as a “top priority” while citing project goals like shortening space shuttle redesign turnaround. Obama feels it’s more important to delegate the responsibility/policy, opting to reinstate a White House Space Council.
But there’s lots of interesting stuff we haven’t even mentioned here. [Science Debate 2008 and NYT]
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Comments (AU Comments | US Comments)
Well they are both wrong about global warming. It hasn’t happened 10 years. The world is cooling. Why don’t people listen to the climate scientist (3200 of them recently sign a document saying that man was not responsible for the warming that happened up to 1998) No, they listen to Al Gore (Who uses more electricity than a small town). It’s natural people. It was warmer in the middle ages than it was in 1998. We have just had the coldest winter after the coolest summer in years. How on earth could you believe that there is Global warming.
yeah global warming may not be right. But everyone agrees the climate is changing be it because of a cycle or polution. But if it is a cycle it doesnt mean we shouldn’t recycle and use energy saving light globes? We should look after the planet no matter what. You don’t take up jogging when you are going to have a by-pass. you should of been jogging the whole time. IF you get my drift
I wish I could be optimistic about the prospects for an enlightened attitude to the importance of science backed by increased funding for science education and basic research, but I fear that neither Sen. McCain nor Sen. Obama is wise enough to see beyond the immediate problems — wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, financial woes, underfunding of Medicare and Social Security, illegal immigration, etc., — to realize that to neglect science and science education is to doom the country to being an also-ran.
Since science is far from topping the list of concerns of John Q. Public, we can hardly expect either candidate to speak out about its importance to the nation, except if a case can be made for its protecting us from terrorist attacks.
I also do not believe that either candidate is persuasive enough(whether by logic, twisting of arms, or calling in political favors)to get congress to fund the sort of science programs the country needs (no matter who articulates those needs or what they claim the needs to be).
Perhaps if science had an eloquent spokesperson, the president and congress could be convinced of the importance of scientific research and science education to the welfare of the people and the country.
Given the mindset of a large minority in the country and the other problems we face, I believe scientific research and science education are in for a period of benign neglect.
Furthermore, check these clash videos I found yesterday about the US Presidential candidates have talked taxes. Well, it’s entitled Obama v. McCain on Taxes. Watch these statements – then vote in http://clashorama.com/index.php?id=194