Showing posts with label Campaign 2008. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Campaign 2008. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Quiz candidates on science

According to Science Debate 2008, 85% of Americans want a presidential debate "on how science can be used to tackle America's major challenges. The poll found no difference between Democrats and Republicans on this question." Very interesting, and I whole-heartedly agree. But there is a problem.

Now, I do not claim to be the all-knowing science guru. I do not claim to have a complete grasp on all of the basic scientific concepts (I blame public school and my lack of drive in high school), but I have been playing catchup. I regularly read up on science and the latest discoveries (thank God for Viigo and RSS feeds). However, I am not running for President of the United States (yet).

My point: I am pretty sure that the presidential candidates lack the scientific knowledge to have such a debate. My guess is that they'll do what candidates do in any political debate: cater to the popular voice of the times. What do you think? Do the candidates have the scientific knowledge to govern this nation in a scientifically positive way?