76 Nobel prize winners endorse Obama.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Nobel winners endorse Obama, say good riddance to Bush
Oct 29 2008 2:43PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |
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With a jab at the George W Bush administration, 76 Nobel Prize winners in physics, chemistry, and medicine have issued a public letter endorsing Democrat nominee Barack Obama for the US presidential election next Tuesday.
Like so many members of the tech and science community have this election season, the 76 laureates question the US' ability to remain competitive if commitment to maintaining and growing the nation's leadership in the subject areas is not increased.
"During the administration of George W Bush, vital parts of our country's scientific enterprise have been damaged by stagnant or declining federal support. The government's scientific advisory process has been distorted by political considerations," the two-page letter reads.
"As a result, our once dominant position in the scientific world has been shaken and our prosperity has been placed at risk. We have lost time critical for the development of new ways to provide energy, treat disease, reverse climate change, strengthen our security, and improve our economy," the letter continues.
"Senator Obama understands that Presidential leadership and federal investments in science and technology are crucial elements in successful governance of the world's leading country. We hope you will join us as we work together to ensure his election in November," the letter concludes.
This isn't the first time the nation's top scientists have endorsed a presidential candidate. In 2004, 48 Nobel winners got behind John Kerry … so obviously Nobel endorsement doesn't guarantee a win.
But one of the letter's signers took his support of Obama a step further. Martin Chalfie, a Columbia University professor who with Osamu Shimomura and Roger Tsien earlier this year won the prize in chemistry with for their work on the use of green fluorescent protein, launched a YouTube video in which he says, "I don't want the country to sleep through the next four years in its support for science research and science education." He confidently concludes the video with "I'm a scientist and I'm voting for Obama." (I suppose that's supposed to come across as "smart people, not just Hollywood actors and tree huggers, vote Obama"?)
Watch the video below, check out the letter, and share your thoughts on the Nobel laureates' support of Obama. Do you agree with it? Do you think it will have any impact on next Tuesday's outcome? Voice your opinion in our comment felid below the video.
edn.com
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