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Science and Technology in the 2008 Presidential Election

S&T in the 2008 Presidential Election Newsletter

SPECIAL EDITION
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION 2008

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

 

ELECTION UPDATE: REPUBLICAN 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 Republican National Convention that occurred in Minneapolis-St Paul from September 2 to September 5.

REPUBLICAN PARTY PLATFORM

As part of its convention activities last week, the Republican National Committee (RNC) 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 Republican candidates, who develop their own platforms independently, the RNC platform may prove to be an influence upon candidates, particularly in the congressional election.

The platform seeks to improve American economic competitiveness and proposes specific tax incentives for technological development, including a ban on Internet taxes, a ban on new cell phone taxes, and a permanent R&D tax credit. The platform also seeks to expand the science and technology workforce by reforming the H-1B visa program for skilled foreign workers and by improving secondary education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Technology also figures heavily in the GOP's plan for accomplishing its vision of energy independence as well as addressing climate change, with measures such as investment in clean coal technology, expansion of nuclear power, elimination of regulatory hurdles for alternative power sources and a "Climate Prize" for scientists who discover solutions to climate change. Overall, the platfrom calls for addressing climate change with policies that favor a market-based approach, include global cooperation from developed and developing economies alike, and which are based on sound science, avoiding "doomsday climate change scenarios" that would hinder economic growth.

In the area of health care, the platform emphasizes the importance of information technology in improving patient services and lowering costs. It also seeks to boost competitiveness in the field of biotechnology by supporting federal investment in research and preserving intellectual property laws. While it does call for expansion of support for stem cell research, it also calls for a ban on the creation of or experimentation on human embryos for research purposes.

CONVENTION SPEECHES

The GOP opened its convention belatedly due to concerns about Hurricane Gustav's effects on the Gulf Coast, which kept President Bush from attending. He did however make an appearance at the convention on September 2 via a video feed from the White House and gave a speech that gave praise to McCain's leadership potential and preparedness for the office. The President was followed by Senator Joseph Lieberman (ID-CT), who identified himself as a Democrat supporting McCain and portrayed him as a lawmaker who avoided partisan politics.

The following day's highlights were speeches from former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Governor Sarah Palin, who accepted the party's nomination for the office of vice-president. While Giuliani largely focused on establishing McCain as a candidate who would bring strong leadership in the face of serious threats to the nation's security, Palin addressed a wider variety of issues, including energy independence. Her plan included completion of a major natural gas pipeline project in Alaska that she initiated as governor, although she also made her pitch for more investment in alternative and renewable sources of energy.

McCAIN'S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

After opening with his acceptance of the Republican Party's nomination as its candidate for president, John McCain set out to establish himself as a candidate who could be trusted by the American people to introduce reform in Washington and improve the nation's economic prospects. While he devoted much of the speech to traditional issues such as taxes and national defense, he also addressed the war in Iraq and rising energy costs.

McCain spoke about American competitiveness in the global market, making reference to the need to improve education and job training, although without mention of specific areas such as science and technology. He did, however, cite the challenge of addressing threats to the environment and the energy needs facing the country in the next century as a great potential stimulus for job growth and technological innovation, stating that "We must use all resources and develop all technologies necessary to rescue our economy from the damage caused by rising oil prices and restore the health of our planet."

Explaining the measures he believes will be involved in such an effort, he said that "we'll build more nuclear power plants. We'll develop clean-coal technology. We'll increase the use of wind, tide, solar, and natural gas. We'll encourage the development and use of flex-fuel, hybrid and electric automobiles." More broadly, McCain addressed the need for government to improve the nation's ability to adapt to such challenges, as well as those of a more competitive global economy, stating that "All these functions of government were designed before the rise of the global economy, the information technology revolution, and the end of the Cold War. We have to catch up to history, and we have to change the way we do business in Washington."

S&T SOCIETY PLATFORM STATEMENTS

In preparation for the conventions, a number of scientific organizations 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 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

  • "McCain vs Obama: Who will end the war on science?" Ivan Semeniuk, New Scientist, 10 September 2008.
  • The science advocacy group Genetic Alliance is providing the opportunity for the public to ask the presidential candidates questions about their positions on genetics and health. The survey link and other information can be found on their website.
  • The Science Coalition, a second advocacy group, has posted its own questions for the candidates to answer, which can be read in the linked pdf file.
  • News coverage of S&T issues in the convention is also provided by Physics Today.
  • For more details on the convention, visit the GOP’s convention website.

REPORTS

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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