My personal notes on John McCain’s answers to Science Debate 2008:
1. Innovation.
Depended on technology while in the Navy, former chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, guided Congress’ wireless spectrum policy.
Will cut earmarks to free up funding to apply to science and technology. Will improve management of science and engineering within the federal government. Encourage commercialization of innovations from federally funded research.
2. Climate Change
Will implement cap-and-trade to reduce greenhouse gases.
Will enforce CAFE standards for automobile fuel efficiency with increased penalties for violations. Clean Car Challenge will issue a $5,000 tax credit to anyone who buys a zero-emissions car, when one gets invented. $300 million x-prize for a battery breakthrough to leapfrog to electric cars.
3. Energy
Will build 45 nuclear reactors by 2030. Voted against tax-credits for renewable energy because they were temporary and driven by lobbists.
4. Education
Good talking point:
Less than 20 percent of our undergraduate students [are] obtaining degrees in math or science, and the number of computer science majors have fallen by half over the last eight years.
Adults need continuing education too; will therefore reinvigorate the Community College system. Professional development programs for math and science teachers.
Would direct 35% of Title II funding to schools, %60 to incentives for teachers of merit. $250 million competitive grant for states to expand online education. Supports STEM.
5. National Security.
Military technological advances benefits civilian technology. Will increase funding for R&D.
6. Pandemics and Biosecurity.
Emphasis on community-level solutions and counter-terrorism. Mentions the importance of medical technology, but does not say he will fund research into it.
7. Genetics Research.
References the Green Revolution in Southeast Asia as an example of how science can feed the masses. Believes genetics could bring green revolutions to Third-World Nations.
8. Stem cells.
Supports “federal funding for embryonic stem cell research,” but does not clarify as to whether he supports expanding funding beyond the mostly-worthless current cell lines to which it is limited. Hopes technological breakthroughs will render this debate obsolete.
9. Ocean Health.
Bonus points for referencing the Great Lakes and Gulf of Mexico “Dead Zone.”
References the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy’s Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century (an exhaustively thorough, 676 page collection of policy recommendations) as evidence that ocean health is a massively complex issue that will require coordination between all involved parties, from farmers to fishermen, to find a solution.
10. Water.
Supports continuing negotiations between states to resolve water disputes.
11. Space.
Will extend the Space Shuttle program until its replacement is ready. Believes human space flight, while not as scientifically valuable, is crucial for inspiring Americans.
12. Scientific Integrity
Has a great talking point for Science-minded folks: Our tax-money pays for all that research the Bush Administration censors and suppresses. We have a right to that data.
Will appoint a White House Science Advisor and four assistant directors within the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)
13. Scientific Research.
Will increase funding for basic research at the NSF, and will have top scientists plan how funding will be spent.
14. Health
Technology will save us. Promotes telemedicine.
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