John McCain and Barak Obama have answered 14 questions each about their views and policies regarding science, technolgy, and related questions facing America.

http://www.sciencedebate2008.com/www/index.php?id=42

Unfortunately neither candidate is very consice in his answers so the article is long. 

Overall, their positions are very similar.  Both want to spend more on basic research, both are concerned about global warming and want to impose carbon cap-and-trade system.  Both want to invest im alternative energy with Obama wanting to spend $150B on alternative energy research directly while McCain wants to build 45 new nuclear reactors by 2030 and ease regulation hoping that alternative energy (like solar, wind, etc.) will take care of itself. 

Both want to spend more on space.  McCain seems to be very firmly committed to the manned space flights.  His responce specifically mentions ISS,  Constellation program, etc.  Obama just mentions reviving National Aeronautics and Space Council to better coordinate space exploration efforts between agencies.  He does not mention specific programs so I guess he just wants the agencies to decide how to best spend the allocated funds.

Overall, it seems that both are willing to spend the money but give very vague details on where they are going to get it.  Also, both want to have a high-ranking science advisor in the White House.  Obama wants to create a position of "Nation's CTO".  With President's cabinet already so large that it never meets in full will they have time for yet another set of issues?

 

 

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Sasha

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Work is a matter of taste. If you don't work you don't taste.

i agree w your analysis, gtSasha!

Personally,  I don't really care about governemnt actually doing something on most of these issues, just stop hindering science and capitalism. 

Exception to this would be long-term issues, whose solution may not carry an immediate profit motive, but are believed by the public to be in the long-term national interest

It appears, both should hinder science less than Bush.   And both say they want to solve the long-term issues that matter to me. 

I think McCain would be more effective on all fronts, and here is why...  Most of these issues are classical democratic issues, some are even fringe-liberal.  With Obama, they remain that way, and I do not believe he can get republican support.  With McCain, they become mainstream by definition, bipartsan support is guaranteed just because of the demographic nature of the issues themselves.  When as little as 10% of his party to goes along, we have an absolute majority.  

 

 

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"Я это понимаю на рациональном уровне, но не могу принять на эмоциональном" --Бизнесмен Борис Березовский

So, what is believed by the public to be in the long-term national interest ?

Or does someone needs to tell "public" what's in it long term interest ?

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- Независимость - это когда в 20-й раз наступаешь на одни и те же грабли, а русские уже ни при чем....

occasionally :)

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"Я это понимаю на рациональном уровне, но не могу принять на эмоциональном" --Бизнесмен Борис Березовский

well, it's about time for the next one, don;t you think ?

how many years have passed from "highway" and "space" programs ??

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- Независимость - это когда в 20-й раз наступаешь на одни и те же грабли, а русские уже ни при чем....