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This month marks the 50th anniversary of NASA, which was launched a year after the Soviet Union lofted Sputnik into orbit, a feat that threatened to accelerate the communist rival's lead over the U.S. in spaceflight technology. It's probably fair to ask whether any U.S. president might once again be in a position to respond to such a huge scientific and technological challenge.
Former Vice President Al Gore's vision, for example, of creating 100 percent carbon-neutral electrical power in the next decade might be one such challenge—and something Gore specifically likened to a 'moon shot'—requiring commitments, coordination and funding at every level of the public and private sectors.
But candidates may have to revise their ambitions and spending plans in the wake of the $700-billion federal fiscal bailout, which promises to put a massive dent in taxpayers' pocketbooks. Jeffrey Sachs's analysis of the financial crisis paints a sobering picture for the incoming administration. Hence, it may be tough to pin down funding commitments for science and technology between now and election day.
To wit: Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has said that some of his goals may have to be delayed, but reiterated that there are some things that "just can't wait," such as his proposed $150-billion investment in clean or sustainable energy programs (toward his goal of freeing the U.S. from dependence on foreign oil) and the attendant creation of five million "green collar" jobs.
Republican presidential hopeful John McCain's proposal to offer a taxpayer-funded $300-million prize to the developer of a battery package that could cost-effectively power cars may have a game show element about it, but his supporters view it as a counterbalance to his "drill baby drill" approach to energy and the environment.
According to a report by the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, the campaign platforms of both McCain and Obama "incorporate substantially more focus on innovation and technology policies than their predecessors' platforms in the 2004 election."
Yet just about the same time that Obama released an 11-page plan (PDF) for science and innovation, on the heels of his endorsement by dozens of Nobel Prize winners (PDF), his opponent's campaign started talking about a one-year freeze in discretionary spending.
And with McCain's running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, sparking an unprecedented level of interest in the beliefs and philosophies of a vice presidential candidate, some more populist questions of science—creationism in the classroom, for example—have taken on a more direct resonance with voters than usual.
Meanwhile, as we head into the crucial final weeks of the campaign, there has been no shortage of comparisons and evaluations of the two tickets' stances and contrasting proposed policies on everything from climate change (where the next president will have both an opportunity and responsibility to provide global leadership on the issue) to stem cell research.
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Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIn one sense science got us into this mess as well as greed and the need to make a buck.
The power of ideas new idea will be what makes or breaks this country. In the case of the Democrates have the support of people who are educuated therefore people with education casn create new ideas and technologies .
Conservatisim often floshies where education is lacking if we remain in this pattern there will be less emphasses on edcuactin and the continuation of the repression of asking questions of our evotion and where we stand in this universie. I am deeply distrubed at the repression of scientific ingurerry.
As a final comment new technologies and ideas are part of the investment that needs to be made .
hi guys this website is so awesome i just signed in yesterday and now i can't go off
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Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAfter trying to read the previous posts, I think that maybe the next president should allocate more dollars for education in the proper use of the written English language.
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Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI kind of prefer scientific challenges to be met by scientists rather than lawyers and such.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNice to see a common sense, educated man out an over-emotional demagog clearly and under the spotlight. At this point, the opening phases of the Great Depression, we have no time for heroics, and emotionalities, we must hunker down and hit all the right buttons or loose the game! Soap-boxing will not do Mr. McCain nor will short skirts! We have our asses against a very unforgiving wall. Our lies and deceptions have caused the bankruptcy of entire countries, Iceland for one. We have few friends in the world and no one trusts us or our dollar anymore. Devaluing of our dollar will force us to pay upwards of $14.00 in Euros, on the barrel head for oil in the near future. We no longer have an agricultural sub-structure to fall back on, the family farm is long gone. Suburbanites depend directly on dollar based supermarkets and gas stations. When the dollars get scarce, and it takes more dollars to make the same purchases, we are in danger of starving masses in the streets and the Anarchy and rebellion bred by these conditions. To hell with your dollars, they are worth less every day. Stock up on dried grains, canned foods, preserves, vitamin pills, and clothing for the poor. We will have to relearn the giving ways of our bible-based ancestors and help support the hungriest and weakest among us, the government can't, they are broke. Tent cities are already springing up, Religious cults are banding together in communes as we speak. The governments hide these facts, or distort them, because if we knew the truth, we would run for the hills too, leaving them holding the bag! the U.S.A. is bankrupt, and in debt so deep, they have to borrow from China to pay off the oil bill in Saudi Arabia! Wake Up America, Last Call!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisUS mid-west agriculture depends on irrigation by pumping water from the enormous Ogallala aquifer, which will run dry in 20 to 30 years time. It is high time politicians addressed this issue, which science has been able to accurately predict. Doing nothing will end up by millions starving, not only in the US but all over the World. It is not at all clear whether Science will be able to find a simple solution.
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