Clinton, Obama advisers tout science policies
By: Yusra Tekbali
Issue date: 2/18/08 Section: News
BOSTON - Representatives for Democratic presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama took the stage at the annual American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conference held at the Hynes Convention Center on Saturday.
The forum was an effort to publicize the importance of science and technology in national and international discourse, and give attendees perspective on where the presidential candidates stand on issues such as funding for science, energy policy, stem-cell research and technological advancement.
Representatives for Republican frontrunner John McCain and competitor Mike Huckabee were unable to attend, said Albert Teich, director of science and policy programs for AAAS.
Claudia Dreifus, a science writer for The New York Times, moderated the debate between Alec Ross, Obama's science adviser and senior vice president of the non-profit One Economy Corporation, and Thomas Kalil, Clinton's adviser and special assistant to the chancellor for science and technology at the University of California at Berkeley.
Throughout the debate, the two advisers tried to convince the audience - consisting mostly of science writers - that the Democratic candidates are serious about changing the current administration's stalling of science by doubling the federal budget for scientific research and investing heavily in green technology like biofuels.
Both candidates, they said, also want to remove what they called the Bush administration's "ideological approach" to science policy and increase protection for whistle-blowers.
"Obama wants to restore science policy to the scientists," Ross said. "He wants to depoliticize it and take it away from the right-wing ideologues."
Ross said Obama took AAAS's invitation seriously and was committed to investing in science and technology, as stated on his official Web site.
The Illinois senator proposes investing $50 billion in computerizing all medical records and creating an electronic-based health care system that could save the nation $77 billion a year, according to the site.
The forum was an effort to publicize the importance of science and technology in national and international discourse, and give attendees perspective on where the presidential candidates stand on issues such as funding for science, energy policy, stem-cell research and technological advancement.
Representatives for Republican frontrunner John McCain and competitor Mike Huckabee were unable to attend, said Albert Teich, director of science and policy programs for AAAS.
Claudia Dreifus, a science writer for The New York Times, moderated the debate between Alec Ross, Obama's science adviser and senior vice president of the non-profit One Economy Corporation, and Thomas Kalil, Clinton's adviser and special assistant to the chancellor for science and technology at the University of California at Berkeley.
Throughout the debate, the two advisers tried to convince the audience - consisting mostly of science writers - that the Democratic candidates are serious about changing the current administration's stalling of science by doubling the federal budget for scientific research and investing heavily in green technology like biofuels.
Both candidates, they said, also want to remove what they called the Bush administration's "ideological approach" to science policy and increase protection for whistle-blowers.
"Obama wants to restore science policy to the scientists," Ross said. "He wants to depoliticize it and take it away from the right-wing ideologues."
Ross said Obama took AAAS's invitation seriously and was committed to investing in science and technology, as stated on his official Web site.
The Illinois senator proposes investing $50 billion in computerizing all medical records and creating an electronic-based health care system that could save the nation $77 billion a year, according to the site.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Barack Obama Homeboy
posted 2/25/08 @ 1:40 AM MST
I read today that google was going to get into storing medical records... possibly they are trying to create a product line that would help them get this possible government contract that Obama might help make happen. (Continued…)
Obama Shirts
posted 4/28/08 @ 11:35 AM MST
Barack Obama's position is the way to go. Barack and his team of advisers are looking into this and will come out with a great plan.
Luckyschool
Texas Hold'em
posted 6/28/08 @ 2:30 PM MST
Interesting article.
Tramadol Visa
posted 7/11/08 @ 6:55 AM MST
Yes. Interesting article.
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