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Science and Technology in the 2008 Presidential Election

S&T in the 2008 Presidential Election Newsletter

SPECIAL EDITION
DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION 2008

The latest science-related news on the presidential election from the
AAAS Center for Science, Technology and Congress

 

ELECTION UPDATE: DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION

This is a special edition of the AAAS S&T in the 2008 Presidential Election newsletter, providing coverage of science and technology (S&T) issues in the Democratic National Convention that occurred in Denver from August 25 to August 28. Next week, we will provide a similar summary of this week’s Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

DEMOCRATIC PARTY PLATFORM

As part of its convention activities last week, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) approved its party platform, a summary of the issues that the party seeks to address in the next few years and how it will do so. While the party platform does not necessarily reflect the platforms of individual democratic candidates, who develop their own platforms independently, the DNC platform may prove to be an influence upon candidates, particularly in the congressional election.

The platform mentions the importance of science and technology in several policy areas, including environmental concerns, education, economic competitiveness, and health care. In short, the platform seeks to improve education in science, technology, engineering and math, dedicate research funding to alternative energy and public health, and expand government support of a number of technology focused programs including better access to broadband internet service, R&D tax credits, and improvements in infrastructure.

CONVENTION SPEECHES

The Democratic Party opened its nominating convention on August 25 with speeches from Michelle Obama, wife of presidential candidate Barack Obama, and Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), both of whom praised the prospective party nominee. The following evening, former presidential contender Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) spoke, also strongly endorsing Obama and urging her supporters to accept him as their candidate. She made mention of Obama’s plans to revitalize the economy and protect the environment by investing in clean energy technology as well as high tech health care and improved education.

On August 27 former President Bill Clinton gave a speech that largely echoed the sentiments of Senator Clinton from the previous night, although he also gave additional praise to the prospective vice-presidential candidate, Senator Joe Biden (D-DE). Following President Clinton, Biden delivered his acceptance speech, which criticized the Bush administration and the McCain platform on a number of issues, including climate change and economic competitiveness, and sought to assure the audience that Obama would provide a preferable alternative.

The final high profile speech before Obama’s acceptance of the nomination was given by former Vice-President and 2000 democratic presidential nominee Al Gore. Having spent most of the last eight years advocating action on climate change, for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, Gore’s remarks largely focused on Obama’s plans for addressing what he refers to as the “climate crisis” and alleviating dependence on fossil fuels. However, included in that language were strong appeals for investment in technology, both to begin a transition to new energy sources as well as to revive the economy.

OBAMA'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

In his acceptance speech as the Democratic Party’s nominee for president, Senator Barack Obama made mention of several matters related to S&T policy upon which his platform focuses. While he did not address his more specific proposals, such as the appointment of a Chief Technology Officer in the White House, he did give attention to a number of more general campaign positions on science and technology.

Among the areas associated with Obama’s intention to expand government promotion of technology were the economy, specifically unemployment and concerns about American competitiveness, and the recent energy crisis. Referring to his vision of the “American promise,” Obama explained that, among other things, “It's a promise that says the market should reward drive and innovation and generate growth…”

More specifically, he said that the message of his campaign “…is a promise that says government cannot solve all our problems, but what it should do is that which we cannot do for ourselves: protect us from harm and provide every child a decent education; keep our water clean and our toys safe; invest in new schools, and new roads, and science, and technology.”

Obama addressed the recent rise in energy prices and concern over fossil fuel dependence by stating that “[He will] invest $150 billion over the next decade in affordable, renewable sources of energy -- wind power, and solar power, and the next generation of biofuels -- an investment that will lead to new industries and 5 million new jobs that pay well and can't be outsourced.”

S&T SOCIETY PLATFORM STATEMENTS

In preparation for the conventions, a number of scientific organizations have submitted statements to the two parties’ platform committees on the subject of health care and research. Their statements are linked below.

SEA AND AAAS FORUM ON HEALTH CARE

On September 18, Scientists and Engineers for America (SEA) will hold a forum at George Washington University, cosponsored by AAAS, exploring the topic of presidential perspectives on health in the context of the next administration. The event, which will be moderated by Julie Rovner, Health Policy Correspondant for National Public Radio, will include Jay Khosla, health policy advisor for John McCain, and Dora Hughes, health policy advisor for Barack Obama. Seating is limited so please RSVP by September 16 to rsvp@SEforA.org. For more information view the official invitation.

Event Details:

September 18, 2008
5:00 PM to 6:30 PM

Jack Morton Auditorium
Media and Public Affairs Building
The George Washington University
805 21st Street NW
Washington, DC

You can also view the forum live at www.SHARP.SEforA.org/candidate-forum

OTHER INFORMATION AND NEWS

  • "Why Won't the Candidates Debate Science?" by Carl E. Wieman and Alan I. Leshner. Denver Post, 4 Sept 2008.
  • The Obama Campaign has answered the 14 questions on science and technology posted by ScienceDebate2008. The answers are displayed on the organization’s website.
  • Research!America posted responses by presidential candidates McCain and Obama to a series of questions on issues surrounding health research, drug development, and health care.
  • News coverage of S&T issues in the convention is also provided by Physics Today.
  • Research!America President Mary Woolley will be a guest on NPR’s Science Friday this week. She’ll be discussing Your Candidates – Your Health 2008 and the responses offered by the two major presidential contenders, Senators John McCain and Barack Obama. Tune in to NPR at 2:00 PM on Friday Sept. 5.
  • For more details on the convention, visit the DNC’s convention website.
For more general news updates on the election, visit the AAAS S&T in the 2008 Presidential Election website’s news page.

PRESS COVERAGE

AAAS's Science and Technology in the 2008 Presidential Election has been featured in publications including The Baltimore Sun, Wired Science, Greenwire and Inside Higher Ed. Science readers can also view a write-up in the journal's January 25 issue.

MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION

The Center's election project will maintain a listserv for individuals interested in receiving updates on new information related to science, technology and the election. To subscribe, send your name and e-mail address to election08@aaas.org with the Subject line "Election".

 


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