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DIY: A Presidential Debate on Science and Technology
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Last December, a group of us launched a Call for a Presidential Debate on Science and Technology. Since then, everyone has been asking 'when will there be an invitation sent to candidates...a date... a venue...?'
Well it's finally happened! It's official. Hillary Clinton, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, and Barack Obama have been invited to ScienceDebate2008.
The location? Philadelphia's Franklin Institute, named after one of our nation's greatest scientists (and greatest patriots). The date?
April 18, days before the Pennsylvania Primary.
We're
so close to seeing this through and now more than ever, we need your
help! The time has
come to get involved! What can you do?
2. Write letters to the editor of your local newspapers, raising further awareness about this initiative. Some handy letter writing tips can be found here.
3. Tell a friend about ScienceDebate2008. We need to spread the word as much as possible at this critical time.
This
is our collective call and together we can make this happen!
Tags: debate, DIY, election, ScienceDebate2008
6 Comments
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February 11, 2008 1:43 PM
Gregory
Incredible Sheril! I would love to see this happen. Wonderful news.
February 11, 2008 2:01 PM
Elliot
Let's hope they accept and are familiar with the fundamental scientific issues that we confront. Perhaps the most critical is to let science speak for itself not to be skewed by a political agenda. One of my fears is that there has been a major brain drain of federal scientific talent due to the fact that the current adminstration has not followed this basic idea.
e.
February 13, 2008 8:58 PM
Ben
This made me so extremely excited and I can only hope this happens. Science and technology (not to mention, education of science & technology) needs to be addressed. Our country doesn't devote enough resources to these vital areas, especially if we hope to succeed in the onset of globalization.
February 20, 2008 8:28 PM
rogeroger
why not make it interesting?...invite Dr. Ron Paul !!
February 21, 2008 2:24 PM
Sheril R. Kirshenbaum
Hi rogeroger,
Although having everyone there would make it interesting, by law we have to set an objective measurable standard. We didn't write the law and we don't do the polling, and we selected realclearpolitics because it's not just one poll - relying on an average of many polls, so it's unbiased. If Ron Paul and other candidates gain past our threshold, they'll very gladly be invited. But it's up to them to earn the support.
This is all explained in the invite:
"The following invitation was sent to the viable candidates for president as of February 7, 2008. "Viable candidates" is defined as candidates who have a mathematical chance of becoming president, and who show a minimum 15% support level in the most recent national poll averages as published by RealClearPolitics.com. If at the time of the debate an invited candidate has withdrawn or is no longer viable by the above definition, they will not participate. If a new viable candidate emerges before the debate, he or she will be invited. The invitation was therefore sent to the following candidates (in alphabetical order): Hillary Clinton, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, and Barack Obama."
February 21, 2008 3:07 PM
Elliot
Has anyone accepted the invitation yet?
Elliot
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