Obama Versus McCain, On Science
09/22/2008 | Shooter
Obama Versus McCain, On Science
ARTICLE DATE: 09.17.08
PC WORLD By Chloe Albanesius
The presidential candidates have already weighed in on key tech policy issues, but what about science?
Science Debate 2008, a group backed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Council on Competitiveness, the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Engineering sent more than a dozen science-related questions to Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama, and posted the results on their Web site this week.
Topics varied from innovation and energy to ocean health and stem cells.
On in the innovation front, Obama pointed to a need for increased U.S. education in math and science. The Democratic presidential hopeful said he would pay for the schooling of undergraduate or graduate education students who commit to teaching in at-risk high schools, with a priority on math and science teachers. He also backed the creation of a Teacher Residency Academy, which would train and add 30,000 new teachers to these high schools.
Obama also pledged increased funding for: science, math, and engineering research; research grants for early-career scientists; the National Science Foundation graduate fellowships; and research to "meet our energy challenges and to transform our defense programs."
He also supports making the research and development (R&D) tax credit permanent.
Republican McCain called for a science and technology advisor to work within the White House in order to "ensure that the role of science and technology in policies is fully recognized and leveraged." The Bush administration has taken heat for reportedly quashing scientific studies that clashed with its policies, a problem McCain said this advisor will help prevent.
"Denial of the facts will not solve any of these problems," McCain said. "Solutions can only come about as a result of a complete understanding of the problem."
McCain also pledged to eliminate earmarks and put the extra funds toward science and technology investments, including emerging fields like nanotechnology and biotechnology.
He would also put 60 percent of Higher Education Act Title II funds toward incentive bonuses for high-performing teachers. McCain also pushed for a $250 million competitive grant program for state online education opportunities.
On climate change, McCain is calling for a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to 60 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2050. Obama wants that to be 80 percent below by 2050.
The candidates have gone back and forth of late on how best to address energy needs and reduce reliance on foreign oil.
Obama said he would increase investment in clean energy research, development, and deployment by $150 million over 10 years. Those funds would cover basic research, equipment, energy efficient vehicle technologies, advanced energy storage and transmission, capturing greenhouse gases caused by coal plants, and nuclear electric technologies.
He also pushed for a digital smart grid, as well as increased building efficiency and fuel economy standards.
McCain called for 45 new nuclear reactors by 2030, and said "government must be an ally but not an arbiter" when it comes to technologies like wind, solar, geothermal, tide, and hydroelectric.
The candidates also addressed issues like pandemics and biosecurity, ocean health, stem cells, water, and space. A side-by-side comparison of their responses can be found on the Science Debate Web site.
Copyright (c) 2008Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2330569,00.asp
ARTICLE DATE: 09.17.08
PC WORLD By Chloe Albanesius
The presidential candidates have already weighed in on key tech policy issues, but what about science?
Science Debate 2008, a group backed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Council on Competitiveness, the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Engineering sent more than a dozen science-related questions to Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama, and posted the results on their Web site this week.
Topics varied from innovation and energy to ocean health and stem cells.
On in the innovation front, Obama pointed to a need for increased U.S. education in math and science. The Democratic presidential hopeful said he would pay for the schooling of undergraduate or graduate education students who commit to teaching in at-risk high schools, with a priority on math and science teachers. He also backed the creation of a Teacher Residency Academy, which would train and add 30,000 new teachers to these high schools.
Obama also pledged increased funding for: science, math, and engineering research; research grants for early-career scientists; the National Science Foundation graduate fellowships; and research to "meet our energy challenges and to transform our defense programs."
He also supports making the research and development (R&D) tax credit permanent.
Republican McCain called for a science and technology advisor to work within the White House in order to "ensure that the role of science and technology in policies is fully recognized and leveraged." The Bush administration has taken heat for reportedly quashing scientific studies that clashed with its policies, a problem McCain said this advisor will help prevent.
"Denial of the facts will not solve any of these problems," McCain said. "Solutions can only come about as a result of a complete understanding of the problem."
McCain also pledged to eliminate earmarks and put the extra funds toward science and technology investments, including emerging fields like nanotechnology and biotechnology.
He would also put 60 percent of Higher Education Act Title II funds toward incentive bonuses for high-performing teachers. McCain also pushed for a $250 million competitive grant program for state online education opportunities.
On climate change, McCain is calling for a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to 60 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2050. Obama wants that to be 80 percent below by 2050.
The candidates have gone back and forth of late on how best to address energy needs and reduce reliance on foreign oil.
Obama said he would increase investment in clean energy research, development, and deployment by $150 million over 10 years. Those funds would cover basic research, equipment, energy efficient vehicle technologies, advanced energy storage and transmission, capturing greenhouse gases caused by coal plants, and nuclear electric technologies.
He also pushed for a digital smart grid, as well as increased building efficiency and fuel economy standards.
McCain called for 45 new nuclear reactors by 2030, and said "government must be an ally but not an arbiter" when it comes to technologies like wind, solar, geothermal, tide, and hydroelectric.
The candidates also addressed issues like pandemics and biosecurity, ocean health, stem cells, water, and space. A side-by-side comparison of their responses can be found on the Science Debate Web site.
Copyright (c) 2008Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2330569,00.asp