Seventy-six (so far) Nobel Laureates in science have signed a letter endorsing Obama for President.
We have watched Senator Obama’s approach to these issues with admiration. We especially applaud his emphasis during the campaign on the power of science and technology to enhance our nation’s competitiveness. In particular, we support the measures he plans to take — through new initiatives in education and training, expanded research funding, an unbiased process for obtaining scientific advice, and an appropriate balance of basic and applied research — to meet the nation’s and the world’s most urgent needs.
There is more to the world than science, of course, and a scientist cannot speak any more authoritatively than you or me about the best presidential candidate regarding foreign policy, or economic plans, or non-scientific matters.
But by the same token I do think they carry some weight when it comes to evaluating the candidate’s position on science and research, the innovations and expansions of knowledge that will carry this country (and the world) forward through the 21st Century. I especially pay attention to the phrase, “an unbiased process for obtaining scientific advice,” which flies in the case of multiple instances where the current Administration has changed scientific conclusions to meet policy desires.
Another reason to vote for Obama.
(via ScienceBlogs)