Given the many urgent scientific and technological challenges facing America and the rest of the world, the increasing need for accurate scientific information in political decision making, and the vital role scientific innovation plays in spurring economic growth and competitiveness, we call for a public debate in which the U.S. presidential candidates share their views on the issues of The Environment, Health and Medicine, and Science and Technology Policy.
Lots of smart people are involved. It's always bugged me that scientists and academics don't get more active in the public sphere, as their culture of open source knowledge transfer and their embrace of skepticism really is at the heart of progressive views of political power.
That they are stepping up is a good thing. Hopefully more and more scientists and geeks will get partisan and run for office.