Science & Technology: McCain & Obama

Compare what McCain and Obama have said on the important science policy issues.

	John McCain R-AZ SHARP Profile	Barack Obama D-IL SHARP Profile
Climate Change	Senator McCain has named climate change one of the top three issues of his presidency. His climate change plan, announced in May of 2008, calls for establishing a market-based cap-and-trade program to steadily decrease the aggregate amount of green house gas emissions to 60% below 1990 levels by 2050. Under McCain’s cap-and-trade plan, companies can sell their extra permits for cash and small businesses would be exempt from the plan. Initially, companies would be allowed to purchase offsets equal to their required reductions. Eventually, proceeds from the auction would be used for investments in clean and alternative energies as well as for low income families that are dealing with rising energy costs. The plan would also create a strategic carbon reserve that companies could use for offsets in times of countrywide economic stress. Globally, McCain seeks to engage the international community via the United Nations and to negotiate agreements with both India and China.	On July 15, 2008, Barack Obama’s campaign launched the New Energy Plan for America. The proposal details short-term and long-term plans for decreasing the United States’ dependence on foreign oil as well as to combat global climate change. Specifically, it calls for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050. This will be achieved by the establishment of an economy wide cap-and-trade plan to auction emissions permits with the proceeds of the auction going to investments in clean energy, assistance to families, and habitat protection. The plan also details establishing America as a leader on climate change through the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) and creating a Global Energy Forum to address global energy and environmental issues.
Climate Change	Quotation:“We have many advantages in the fight against global warming, but time is not one of them. Instead of idly debating the precise extent of global warming, or the precise timeline of global warming, we need to deal with the central facts of rising temperatures, rising waters, and all the endless troubles that global warming will bring. We stand warned by serious and credible scientists across the world that time is short and the dangers are great. The most relevant question now is whether our own government is equal to the challenge.” Speech to Vestas Training Facility in Portland, OR, May 12, 2008.	Quotation:”Global warming is real, is happening now and is the result of human activities. . . .[W]e have a moral, environmental, economic, and security imperative to address our dependence on foreign oil and tackle climate change in a serious, sustainable manner.” Barack Obama’s Plan to Make America a New Energy Leader
Alternative Energy	According to a July 2, 2008 article from the Los Angeles Times, Senator McCain does not support subsidies for alternate forms of energy such as wind and solar power, but does support subsidies for nuclear energy. On July 7, 2008, McCain announced a new economic plan under which he would repeal the 54 cent tax on imported sugar-based ethanol. He would also repeal corn-based ethanol mandates that add to the rising price of food. The press release also details his commitment of $2 billion annually for 15 years for the development of clean coal technologies and his support for a system of temporary tax credits for renewable energy such as wind and solar until the market no longer needs taxpayer support.	Senator Obama’s energy proposal includes doubling federal research funding for clean energy projects, investing in clean-coal technologies, and developing “safe and secure” nuclear energy. The plan sets a goal of having 25% of electricity come from renewable sources by 2025. As part of his July 25, 2008 energy plan, Obama would establish a National Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) and require that 60 billion gallons of advanced biofuels be used in our fuel supply by 2030.
Alternative Energy	Quotation:”In the quest for alternatives to oil, our government has thrown around enough money subsidizing special interests and excusing failure. From now on, we will encourage heroic efforts in engineering, and we will reward the greatest success. At this moment, some of the best minds in our country are also at work discovering or perfecting alternative technologies. They are not tilting at windmills — they’re building them. They are capturing the boundless powers of the sun, the tides, the mighty rivers, and the warmth of the Earth itself. Yet for all the good work of entrepreneurs and inventors in finding cleaner and better technologies, the fundamental incentives of the market are still on the side of carbon-based energy.” Speech, June 25, 2008.	Quotation:”I’ve supported investments in alternative energy, and Senator McCain has opposed them. And as President, I’ll invest in renewable energies like wind power, solar power, and the next generation of homegrown biofuels. That’s how America is going to free itself from our dependence on foreign oil – not through short-term gimmicks, but through a real, long-term commitment to transform our energy sector. That’s what we can choose to do in this election.” Speech, July 31, 2008.
Nuclear Energy	According to an August 2008 article in USA Today, Senator McCain set a goal of establishing 45 new nuclear reactors by 2030. The article noted that McCain envisions the construction of over 100 new nuclear power plant facilities.	According to Obama’s energy policy, he believes nuclear energy is likely necessary to meet climate change goals, but that key issues of public awareness and security must be resolved before expanding nuclear energy.While in the Senate, Obama, along with Senator Richard Lugar, introduced the Cooperative Proliferation Detection, Interdiction Assistance, and Conventional Threat Reduction Act of 2006 (S. 2566), which called for tracking and accounting for spent fuel from nuclear power plants.
Nuclear Energy	Quotation:“The need for more production extends as well to another long-neglected source of energy, and that is nuclear power. . . Here, too, opposition to this clean and proven technology has more to do with politics than with the merits. The experience of nations across Europe and Asia has shown that nuclear energy is efficient. It is safe, it is proven, and it is essential to America’s energy future.” Campaign stop, Yucca Mt, Nevada, June 26, 2008.	Quotation:“It is unlikely that we can meet our aggressive climate goals if we eliminate nuclear power from the table. However, there is no future for expanded nuclear without first addressing four key issues: public right-to-know, security of nuclear fuel and waste, waste storage, and proliferation.” Barack Obama’s Plan to Make America A Global Energy Leader, barackobama.com.
Off-shore drilling	McCain is in support of lifting the federal ban on off-shore drilling. In an energy plan released in June of 2008, he expressed his support for allowing states and stakeholders to decide whether or not to drill for oil in areas of their jurisdiction.	A June 2008 article from CBS News states that Obama has said that opening up the coastline to drilling would not actually give Americans any savings on gas until 2030 and that it “makes absolutely no sense at all.” Obama also said in August of 2008 that he would consider drilling off the coast of Florida as part of a plan to promote fuel efficiency and alternative energy sources. Obama believes oil companies should drill on the 68 million acres they have access to but are not currently using.
Off-shore drilling	Quotation:”Our nation is sending $700 billion overseas every year to countries that don’t like us very much. When I’m president that’s going to stop. We’re going to achieve energy independence, and we’re going to do it by using every resource at our disposal to get the job done, including new off shore drilling.” Speech, August, 19, 2008.	Quotation:”A group of Democrat and Republican Senators sat down and came up with a compromise on energy that includes many of the proposals I’ve worked on as a Senator and many of the steps I’ve been calling for on this campaign. It’s a plan that would invest in renewable fuels and batteries for fuel-efficient cars, help automakers re-tool, and make a real investment in renewable sources of energy. Like all compromises, this one has its drawbacks. It includes a limited amount of new offshore drilling, and while I still don’t believe that’s a particularly meaningful short-term or long-term solution, I am willing to consider it if it’s necessary to actually pass a comprehensive plan.” Speech, August 4, 2008.
Healthcare	McCain’s specific plan of action includes: “cheaper drugs; providing quality, cheaper care for chronic disease; promoting coordinated care; expanding access to health care; greater use of information technology to reduce costs; reforming the payment system to cut costs; promoting the availability of smoking cessation programs; encouraging states to lower costs; passing medical liability reform; bringing transparency to health care costs.” He also wants to encourage incentives to enhance preventative care, as well as establishing a national network of medical records to improve care. In terms of long-term challenges, McCain wants to address the issues facing our elderly population through Cash and Counseling or The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) to assist in the delivery of care to people in their homes.	Obama’s specific plan includes: “guaranteed eligibility; comprehensive benefits; affordable premiums, co-pays and deductibles; subsidies; simplified paperwork and reined in health costs; easy enrollment; portability and choice; quality and efficiency.” To lower costs, Obama wants to “reduce the costs of catastrophic illnesses for employers and their employees; support disease management programs; coordinate and integrate care; require full transparency about quality and costs” as well as increase competition in insurance markets. Obama will invest $10 billion a year for five years to move to electronic health records. His new initiatives include fighting AIDS, advancing research in the biomedical field, protecting against lead and mercury poisoning, supporting those with disabilities, and improving our system of mental health care.
Healthcare	Quotation:”I am convinced that the wrong way to go is to turn over your lives to the government and hope it will all be fine. It won’t. . . . My approach to transforming health care is to put families in charge. I believe Americans want to be part of a system that offers better care at lower cost for all Americans, and that respects their individual dignity. We must reform the health care system to make it responsive to the needs of American families. Not the government. Not the insurance companies. Not tort lawyers. Not even the doctors and hospitals.” Speech, April 28, 2008.	Quotation:”My plan begins by covering every American. If you already have health insurance, the only thing that will change for you under this plan is that the amount of money you will spend on premiums will be less. . . . If you are one of 45 million Americans who don’t have health insurance, you will after this plan becomes law.” “Obama Offers Universal Health Care,” AP, September 27, 2008.
Embryonic Stem Cell Research	McCain supports expanded federal funding for research on embryonic stem cells and voted in favor of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (S. 5), which was later vetoed by President Bush. He voted for similar legislation in 2006.	Obama supports expanding federal funding for embryonic stem cell research and voted for the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (S. 5), which was later vetoed by President Bush. He supported similar legislation in 2006.
Embryonic Stem Cell Research	Quotation: See Senator McCain’s answer on embryonic stem cell research in the candidate questionnaire.	Quotation: See Senator Obama’s answer on embryonic stem cell research in the candidate questionnaire.
Sex Education	In a 2007 interview reported by a New York Times blog, Senator McCain said that sex education in the United States should follow President Bush’s policy of abstinence-only education.	Obama supports comprehensive sex education. In a December 2007 questionnaire, Obama’s aides said that Obama “believes that we should not continue to fund abstinence-only programs. . . While abstinence is one approach to reducing unintended pregnancies and STDs, Obama believes we should also support comprehensive and age-appropriate sex education.” He is also an original cosponsor of the Prevention First Act, which would ensure that all taxpayer-funded federal programs are medically accurate and include information about contraception.
Sex Education	Quotation: Reporter: Should U.S. taxpayer money go to places like Africa to fund contraception to prevent AIDS?” Well I think it’s a combination. The guy I really respect on this is Dr. Coburn. He believes – and I was just reading the thing he wrote– that you should do what you can to encourage abstinence where there is going to be sexual activity. Where that doesn’t succeed, than he thinks that we should employ contraceptives as well. But I agree with him that the first priority is on abstinence. I look to people like Dr. Coburn. I’m not very wise on it.” Interview, New York Times, March 16, 2007.	Quotation:“Barack Obama is an original co-sponsor of legislation to expand access to contraception, health information and preventive services to help reduce unintended pregnancies. Introduced in January 2007, the Prevention First Act will increase funding for family planning and comprehensive sex education that teaches both abstinence and safe sex methods. The Act will also end insurance discrimination against contraception, improve awareness about emergency contraception, and provide compassionate assistance to rape victims.” Women for Obama, barackobama.com.
Evolution and Intelligent Design	During a July 2006 trip to New York, Senator McCain stated that he believes in evolution, stating: “From a personal standpoint, I believe in evolution . . . When I stand on the rim of the Grand Canyon and I see the sun going down, I believe the hand of God was there.”	In an interview with the York Daily Record in March 2008, Obama addressed the topic of science and religion, saying: “I’m a Christian, and I believe in parents being able to provide children with religious instruction without interference from the state. But I also believe our schools are there to teach worldly knowledge and science. I believe in evolution, and I believe there’s a difference between science and faith. That doesn’t make faith any less important than science. It just means they’re two different things. And I think it’s a mistake to try to cloud the teaching of science with theories that frankly don’t hold up to scientific inquiry.”
Evolution and Intelligent Design	Quotation: Q: How do you feel about teaching evolution in schools? Mr. McCain: I think, first of all, it’s up to the school boards. That’s why we have local control over education. So my personal view is that children should be exposed to as much as they possibly can so that they can make their decisions and be the best informed. But I really believe that school boards are elected in order to make a lot of those decisions, and I respect their decisions unless they are unconstitutional in some way or, you know. Q: If you were on a school board, how would you vote? Mr. McCain: I don’t know, Adam. I’d have to see the proposal, I’d have to see where it lies in the curriculum, I’d have to – I can’t. I’m not running for school board. Interview, New York Times, July 13, 2008.	Quotation:”I’m a Christian, and I believe in parents being able to provide children with religious instruction without interference from the state. But I also believe our schools are there to teach worldly knowledge and science. I believe in evolution, and I believe there’s a difference between science and faith. That doesn’t make faith any less important than science. It just means they’re two different things. And I think it’s a mistake to try to cloud the teaching of science with theories that frankly don’t hold up to scientific inquiry.” Interview, York Daily Record, March 30, 2008.
Research & Development Funding	In August of 2008, the McCain campaign released its technology plan. The proposal focuses on encouraging innovation through market forces and government tax credits for research and development. Details include: * Establishing a tax credit for research and development equal to 10% of wages spent on research & development. * Reducing the corporate tax rate to 25%. * Allowing companies to expense the cost of new equipment or technology in the first year of business. * Fully funding the America COMPETES Act. A September 2008 article in Science, however, detailed Senator McCain’s plan to freeze all discretionary spending for one year if elected President. The freeze would effect the research budgets of many government organizations, including the NSF, DOD, NIST, and DOE.	Obama’s technology policy calls for making the R&D tax credit permanent. He believes this would help create a skilled workforce and technology infrastructure. He supports creating a Clean Technologies Deployment Venture Capital Fund, which would be appropriated $10 billion annually for 5 years, to expedite the commercialization of promising technologies. Obama has also pledged to double the basic research budget for engineering, mathematics, and physical and life sciences over the next 10 years.
Research & Development Funding	Quotation: See Senator McCain’s answer on research in the candidate questionnaire.	Quotation: See Senator Obama’s answer on research in the candidate questionnaire.
Broadband Access	Quotation:”I believe that we must promote competition and reduce regulation in order to secure lower prices and higher-quality services for consumers and encourage the rapid deployment of new technologies. I have been a leading advocate in the Senate for seeking market-based solutions to increasing broadband penetration. We should place the federal government in the role of stimulator, rather than regulator, of broadband services, remove state and local barriers to broadband deployment, and facilitate deployment of broadband services to rural and underserved communities.” Candidate Questionnaire, CNET News, January 3, 2008.	Quotation:”I believe that America should lead the world in broadband penetration and Internet access. As a country, we have ensured that every American has access to telephone service and electricity, regardless of economic status, and I will do likewise for broadband Internet access. Full broadband penetration can enrich democratic discourse, enhance competition, provide economic growth, and bring significant consumer benefits. Moreover, improving our infrastructure will foster competitive markets for Internet access and services that ride on that infrastructure. Market forces will drive the deployment of broadband in many parts of the country, but not all. To get true broadband deployed in every community in America, we need to reform the Universal Service Fund, make better use of the nation’s wireless spectrum, promote next-generation facilities, technologies, and applications, and provide new tax and loan incentives.” Candidate Questionnaire, CNET News, January 3, 2008.
Net Neutrality	Quotation:”In general, I believe that we need to move to a different model for enforcing competition on the Internet. Its focus should be on policing clearly anticompetitive behavior and consumer predation. In such a dynamic and innovative setting, it is not desirable for regulators to be required to anticipate market developments, intervene in the market, and try to micromanage American business and innovation.” Candidate Questionnaire, CNET News, January 3, 2008.	Quotation:”I will take a backseat to no one in my commitment to network neutrality. The Internet is the most open network in history. We have to keep it that way.I will prevent network providers from discriminating in ways that limit the freedom of expression on the Internet. Because most Americans have a choice of only one or two broadband carriers, carriers are tempted to impose a toll charge on content and services, discriminating against Web sites that are unwilling to pay for equal treatment.This could create a two-tier Internet in which Web sites with the best relationships with network providers can get the fastest access to consumers, while all competing Web sites remain in a slower lane.” Candidate Questionnaire, CNET News, January 3, 2008.
Space	In late summer 2008, the McCain campaign released its plan for space exploration and NASA. The plan includes: Committing funding to NASA’s Constellation program including resources for human space exploration. Completing construction on the International Space Station National Laboratory. Making an effort to ensure that the United States has access to space during the time between the retirement of the shuttle and the replacement vehicle and reducing the time of the gap. Maintaining the United States‘ space and satellite infrastructure and support system. Investing in aeronautics research.	In mid-August 2008, the Obama campaign released its space policy proposal. Details of the plan include: Re-establishing the National Aeronautics and Space Council. Minimizing the gap between the retirement of the current shuttle and the Constellation program. Supporting Congressional efforts to add an additional shuttle mission before retirement. Completing the International Space Station and using it for scientific and technological research. Supporting human space flight, including a mission to the Moon by 2020 and missions to further destinations such as Mars. Exploring the role of the private sector in fulfilling some of NASA’s lower orbit cargo transportation needs and encouraging commercial access to space. The last sentence of Obama’s first education plan states that his education plan will be paid for in part by a five year delay in the implementation of NASA’s Constellation program. That sentence has been deleted from subsequent education plans. An August 13, 2008 article in The Orlando Sentinel notes that at an appearance in Florida he promised he would not cut NASA’s budget to fund school programs. He said he was committed to an additional shuttle mission, closing the gap between the end of the space shuttle and the next human space launch, and sustaining America’s leadership in space.
Space	Quotation: See Senator McCain’s answer on space in the candidate questionnaire.	Quotation: See Senator Obama’s answer on space in the candidate questionnaire.
Scientific Integrity	McCain’s policy advisor, Douglas Holtz-Eakin, during an interview with National Public Radio, spoke of Senator McCain’s views on scientific integrity, saying “He [McCain] has always felt that sound science is a foundation of good public policy. He believes deeply that the science should be the science. Legislators can then learn from that science, and go forward and deliver good public policies.”Candidates’ Vow to Keep Politics Out of Science, NPR, August 25, 2008.	In his Plan for Science and Innovation, released in September 2008, Obama promised to strengthen the role of the President’s Council on Science and Technology (PCAST) by restoring it to its role as adviser to the President. He would also issue an Executive Order to establish clear guidelines for the review and release of government publications as well as strengthen protection for whistle blowers.
Scientific Integrity	Quotation: See Senator McCain’s answer on scientific integrity in the candidate questionnaire.	Quotation: See Senator Obama’s answer on scientific integrity in the candidate questionnaire.

Scientists & Engineers for America

Science & Technology: McCain & Obama

Table of Contents

John McCain R-AZ

Barack Obama D-IL

40350

SHARP Network

Recent News Stories