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The first rule of picking up girls: No matter how hot she is, wait for her to speak. If you don't want to hear that at breakfast, toss her to the curb.

Me? I'm certain I don't want to hear Sarah Palin over breakfast... unless she is congratulating someone else on winning the election instead of her. No matter who is qualified and who is not, the very unfortunate state of the matter is that McSame/Pallid and Obama/whatshisname are the two main contenders. For me, I think they would all ruin a good meal if allowed to talk.

The problem at hand in this post is the response to technical questions. The only technical question Palin will get right perhaps is what type of gun is best for hunting wolves from a plane.

I've been reading the comparison at http://www.sciencedebate2008.com/www/index.php?id=42 and to be very honest, I'd like to send them a bunch more questions aimed at taking the "and how would you accomplish that in view of xyz" out of their answers. Both sets of answers sound nice but I cannot help but think that since their public appearances do not seem to hold this type of concise informed speech, these answers are typed up by lobbyists and mean absolutely nothing. One thing left out is how they get such actions passed through both houses to make good on their claims? At best, this is political gerrymandering, and at worst it complete bullshit. In either case I have no confidence that either party will pull these rabbits out of the hat.

His responses can be found here, but in case of another slashdotting, here is the list. Please excuse the formatting, I am not an html expert.

Barack Obama's answers to the top 14 science questions facing America

1. Innovation. Science and technology have been responsible for half of the growth of the American economy since WWII. But several recent reports question America's continued leadership in these vital areas. What policies will you support to ensure that America remains the world leader in innovation?

Ensuring that the U.S. continues to lead the world in science and technology will be a central priority for my administration. Our talent for innovation is still the envy of the world, but we face unprecedented challenges that demand new approaches. For example, the U.S. annually imports $53 billion more in advanced technology products than we export. China is now the world's number one high technology exporter. This competitive situation may only worsen over time because the number of U.S. students pursuing technical careers is declining. The U.S. ranks 17th among developed nations in the proportion of college students receiving degrees in science or engineering; we were in third place thirty years ago.

My administration will increase funding for basic research in physical and life sciences, mathematics, and engineering at a rate that would double basic research budgets over the next decade. We will increase research grants for early-career researchers to keep young scientists entering these fields. We will increase support for high-risk, high-payoff research portfolios at our science agencies. And we will invest in the breakthrough research we need to meet our energy challenges and to transform our defense programs.

A vigorous research and development program depends on encouraging talented people to enter science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and giving them the support they need to reach their potential. My administration will work to guarantee to students access to strong science curriculum at all grade levels so they graduate knowing how science works - using hands-on, IT-enhanced education. As president, I will launch a Service Scholarship program that pays undergraduate or graduate teaching education costs for those who commit to teaching in a high-need school, and I will prioritize math and science teachers. Additionally, my proposal to create Teacher Residency Academies will also add 30,000 new teachers to high-need schools - training thousands of science and math teachers. I will also expand access to higher education, work to draw more of these students into science and engineering, and increase National Science Foundation (NSF) graduate fellowships. My proposals for providing broadband Internet connections for all Americans across the country will help ensure that more students are able to bolster their STEM achievement.

Progress in science and technology must be backed with programs ensuring that U.S. businesses have strong incentives to convert advances quickly into new business opportunities and jobs. To do this, my administration will make the R&D tax credit permanent.

2. Climate Change. The Earth's climate is changing and there is concern about the potentially adverse effects of these changes on life on the planet. What is your position on the following measures that have been proposed to address global climate change-a cap-and-trade system, a carbon tax, increased fuel-economy standards, or research? Are there other policies you would support?

There can no longer be any doubt that human activities are influencing the global climate and we must react quickly and effectively. First, the U.S. must get off the sidelines and take long-overdue action here at home to reduce our own greenhouse gas emissions. We must also take a leadership role in designing technologies that allow us to enjoy a gr

Try this link for the whole thing:
http://www.sciencedebate2008.com/www/index.php?id=40

There has been a long-running attempt to get the Presidential candidates to have a debate focusing on science issues. http://www.sciencedebate2008.com/www/index.php This proposal has gotten a fair bit of press. However, studies like this call into question whether such an event would be at all useful. On the other hand, perhaps a science debate would get people more involved and help them get some of the basic background details necessary to understanding larger issues.

There are plenty of people advocating for space exploration, both manned and otherwise (myself among them!): http://www.spacecoalition.com/ http://www.sciencedebate2008.com/www/index.php, http://marsproject.com/, http://www.seti.org/, http://www.committee4spaceadvocacy.org/, http://www.planetary.org/home/ People are advocating. The problem is that no one is listening. Our country has been deaf to the benefits of space research for 20 years now, and it's not going to change. It's only going to get worse as our kids get dumber and stop getting math, science, and engineering degrees. Is my generation going to be the last to take a shot at it? I sure hope not. But unless it gets some serious attention, and soon, the United States is finished as a space-faring nation.

Scientists & Engineers for America: http://sefora.org/

Sciencedebate 2008: http://sciencedebate2008.com/www/index.php

Space exploration and the sciences needs better representation in the lawyer-heavy political system. We need more math and science in the schools and people in office who understand the importance of such for the future of our country. Support your local (or state or fed) science-minded candidates. Thank you.

People interested in this thread should take note of Science Debate 2008. It's an effort to encourage a presidential debate on matters of science and technology. I'm pleased to note that my humble blog was a charter member. At present many influential scientists have signed on.