The candidates have answered. Want to grade them?

By | September 22, 2008 | Science Policy, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Where are all my fellow “non-scientist-average-citizens from the general public?”

McCain and Obama have answered the 14 science questions and we have a chance to grade them on their responses. The campaigns, the media and the organizers of ScienceDebate2008.com want to know what YOU think of the candidates’ answers. It’s as easy as pie to grade their answers from A-F.

I have a hunch (no imperical data to prove this) that scientists, waiting a lifetime for this opportunity, have been flooding the internet with their grades. All well and good but the Science Debate team (of which I am part) is doing this on behalf of the public, not the scientists.

When you have a few minutes, go here  to read the questions and answers, then grade them. Your opinion matters.


(From the ScienceDebate2008.com team.)

From the New York Times to the LA Times and around the world Obama’s and McCain’s answers to the 14 top science questions are getting great coverage, but one question remains: Who will be the best president for America in a science-dominated world?

Here’s your chance to grade McCain and Obama on their answers – and tell the world why!

Log on to www.sciencedebate2008.com/vote to grade them A-F on their answers and comment on why they deserve that grade. 

Weigh in with your vote now!

-The Team at ScienceDebate2008.com

  • BB

    I came across your Science Cheerleader web site and looked around a little. I am an assistant professor of biochemistry. I am really encouraged to see people taking an active interest in science… beyond insisting students learn about it in school. I have only quickly glanced at your web page, so I am not sure whether you have already addressed the issue, but you, your organization and similarly minded organizations can impact science policy as well.

    Historically, the US has put a premium on the value of publicly funded scientific research. Discoveries made as a result of such research find their way to new therapies for treating diseases and new technologies that can impact our daily lives. Over the last 8 years, the US has effectively pulled back on this investment, and it is having a negative impact. Government funding for research is becoming very tight and harder to attain because the funding rate has not kept up with the rate of inflation (which is higher in science). Scientists that came to the US for graduate and posdoctoral training in the sciences used to stay here and find jobs in the US, but today many of these promising scientists find better scientific career prospects back home in their native countries. Even more startling is the fact that scientists born and educated in the US are also beginning to look for careers outside of the US.

    If you are not already on their mailing lists, you should get on the AAAS and FASEB mailing lists that deal with scientific policy. They often give updates on what is going on in the legislature regarding science issues, policy and funding. I believe FASEB provides links for representatives and senators when issues impacting science come up.

    Good luck with your cause. …. and Thanks!

    Cheers,
    BB

  • BB

    I came across your Science Cheerleader web site and looked around a little. I am an assistant professor of biochemistry. I am really encouraged to see people taking an active interest in science… beyond insisting students learn about it in school. I have only quickly glanced at your web page, so I am not sure whether you have already addressed the issue, but you, your organization and similarly minded organizations can impact science policy as well.

    Historically, the US has put a premium on the value of publicly funded scientific research. Discoveries made as a result of such research find their way to new therapies for treating diseases and new technologies that can impact our daily lives. Over the last 8 years, the US has effectively pulled back on this investment, and it is having a negative impact. Government funding for research is becoming very tight and harder to attain because the funding rate has not kept up with the rate of inflation (which is higher in science). Scientists that came to the US for graduate and posdoctoral training in the sciences used to stay here and find jobs in the US, but today many of these promising scientists find better scientific career prospects back home in their native countries. Even more startling is the fact that scientists born and educated in the US are also beginning to look for careers outside of the US.

    If you are not already on their mailing lists, you should get on the AAAS and FASEB mailing lists that deal with scientific policy. They often give updates on what is going on in the legislature regarding science issues, policy and funding. I believe FASEB provides links for representatives and senators when issues impacting science come up.

    Good luck with your cause. …. and Thanks!

    Cheers,
    BB