Science and the electorate

Over at DailyKos DarkSyde reports on the results of a poll released by Scientists and Engineers for America. All the more reason that John McCain and Barack Obama should heed the call to answer 14 questions put to them by by the ScienceDebate2008 team. Here are a few key findings from the poll.¹

• Voters place a significant amount of importance on public policy decisions that are based on science and technology to solve problems we face today, like global warming, energy, public education, and health care. Roughly seven in ten voters (72%) rate this between 8-10 on a 10-point scale (where 0 is not at all important and 10 is extremely important). 43% of voters give this statement a rating of 10.
• Majorities of voters say they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who is committed to advancing science and technology on a range of issues.
• Majorities across partisan lines say they would be more likely to support a candidate who is committed to these issues.

The 14 questions concern innovation, climate change, energy, education, national security, pandemics and biosecurity, genetics research, stem cells, ocean health, water, space, scientific integrity, research, and health. I look forward to seeing the candidates responses.