Science and the U.S. Election

The "New" New Media Campaign: Will the Networked Generation Rock the Vote--Or Wreck It?

Welcome to the first presidential election of the YouTube era. What's next?

A campaign loss for science writer Carl Zimmer's dad

Quick: How many top science writers were spotted standing behind a Republican Senate candidate during a concession speech last night? Only one, as far as we know: Carl Zimmer.

What an Obama win means for the environment

Among the many pressing issues that President-elect Barack Obama will face when he takes office in January is climate change, which he has called an “immediate threat” and warned has made Earth a “planet in peril.” In an effort to prevent and reverse the problem, he supports a so-called cap-and-trade scheme similar to one now in effect in the U.S.

The Day After: Science in the Obama Administration

Stanford University biologist Sharon Long, a science advisor to the Barack Obama campaign, talks about science in the upcoming administration. Plus, we'll test your knowledge of some recent science in the news. Web sites related to this episode include www.SciAm.com/report.cfm?id=election2008

Beyond Obamamania: Uninsured member of Congress wins reelection; Democrats take Colorado races

The big news of the night, of course, was Senator Barack Obama's historic presidential victory. But ScientificAmerican.com was following a number of other races among the hundreds across the country.

One long campaign, one enormous carbon debt

It's been a long slog to get to this election day. We all know the campaigns spent millions to get their messages across. But Bob Grant at The Scientist wondered about the environmental cost (log-in required)—specifically how much the campaigns of Sens.

Who has a better sense of humor--Liberals or conservatives?

Are you more likely to get a joke if you lean politically left or right? That's the question New York Times columnist John Tierney asks today, extending a line of inquiry popular this campaign season: the personality characteristics of ideologues.

Election Day: Your -- and the candidates' -- votes on science

Is a sticky scientific or health dilemma holding you up from pulling the lever in the voting booth tomorrow? We've still got our trusty blow-by-blow of the presidential candidates' positions on controversial policy topics for quick reference.

Sarah Palin's health described by doc

Voters know a little bit more about Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s health as they head to the polls today. According to a two-page letter released by her physician last night, Palin, 44, is in "excellent health and has no known health problems that would interfere with her ability to carry out the duties and obligations of vice president of the United States." 

Until now, Americans knew next to nothing about Palin’s health, other than that she gave birth to five children, the youngest of whom was born with Down Syndrome in April.

Interactive Map: Presidential Battleground States

These will likely be the states where the presidential election is decided. Find out where science and environmental policy issues will play a role

Also on the ballot: Assisted suicide measure

There's renewed energy behind the right-to-die movement: A voter initiative on the Washington State ballot would allow doctors to prescribe lethal drugs to dying patients.

Body Politics: The Power of the Visual in Electoral Debates

Just as important as what you say is how you look and what you're doing while you're saying it

The Future of Climate Change Policy: The U.S.'s Last Chance to Lead

McCain or Obama can end shameful U.S. foot-dragging and rally the world against climate change

Science Questions for Would-Be Presidents

For the science policy positions of McCain and Obama to be meaningful, they need to be more detailed

Ranking Candidates Is More Accurate Than Voting

A ballot-counting system that allows voters to rank the candidates could provide more accurate results

Media Bias: Going beyond Fair and Balanced

Despite popular accounts, researchers found that Barack Obama got more negative press coverage than John McCain did in the early summer

Where Do the Presidential Candidates Stand on Environment and Energy?

From drilling for oil to climate change, the answers may surprise you

Environmental Issues Divide Presidential Contenders

Where do the candidates stand on the environment and energy? David Biello reports

To Drill or Not to Drill? Energy Policy Surfaces in Colorado's Senate Race

Politicians, environmentalists and industry clash over the leasing of public lands for natural gas drilling on Colorado's rugged Roan Plateau

Nobel winners, other scientists advising Obama, report says

California's Political Environment May Prove Too Toxic for Green Energy Propositions

Myriad special interests combined with state budget woes mire two environmentally friendly ballot initiatives

John McCain talks science, says he's Wi-Fi's main man

His running mate may be raising the ire of scientists with her positions on creationism and wildlife conservation, but Republican presidential nominee John McCain is touting his tech cred.

Sarah Palin dishes on health and science: What does she really think?

Public fascination with Republican vice presidential nominee, Sarah Palin, extends to her views on the environment, evolution and abortion, and that curiosity has only grown since media access to her has tightened in the month since Sen.

Palin brings creationism debate back into the headlines

The addition of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to the GOP presidential ticket has brought the creationism-evolution fight back into the news cycle, as voters learn more about her agnostic take on the subject: "Teach both," Palin has said.

Planning to E-Vote? Read This First

With less than three months before the presidential election, the hotly contested state, Ohio, along with others, continue to have problems with E-voting technology

Help wanted: Election Day techies to monitor e-voting mess

Do you have an affinity for technology? Did you do well in civics class? Are you free on November 4? If you meet all of these criteria, then you might feel compelled to take a temporary job on Election Day this year as a volunteer election site worker or an electronic voting machine technician.

Gott Ya: Astrophysicist J. Richard Gott on Time Travel and Presidential Polling

Princeton astrophysicist J. Richard Gott discusses some of the realities and speculations of time travel (one human holds the record for time travel--1/48 of a second) as well as how best to evaluate presidential election polling data. Plus, we'll test your knowledge of some recent science in the news. Web sites mentioned on this episode include www.colleyrankings.com, snipurl.com/2oorv

McCain and Obama camps latch onto new media (with varying degrees of success)

Barack Obama's campaign has dissed his opponent John McCain for his supposed lack of computer competence. While some have come to McCain's defense, a new study indicates the Obama camp is making better use of technology than McCain's people are.

The Monitor (Episode 15)--Prime the Vote, Doritos for Science, and More

Voters who know their place; Chilling evidence of rapid climate meltdown; Humans to galaxy: "We're here!" via golden plaques and snack food; and DNA self-sequencing kit marketers parse "lab test"

Exposed Untruths Continue to Shape Voter Impressions

Misinformation on the campaign trail, once disseminated, is hard to undo--especially when it reinforces one's preconceptions. Christie Nicholson reports

How Voting Machines Work

Taking apart the various voting machines used in the U.S.

Are you more likely to be politically left or right if you scare easily?

Here's a fun trick: scare someone you don't know, then guess whether they favor the death penalty and the war in Iraq based on how freaked out they got.