Bringing Science to the Forefront of Presidential Debates  Darin
Back  Bringing Science to the Forefront of Presidential Debates
A group urges the presidential candidates to discuss science,
technology, and the environment.  By Katherine Bagley Published:
May-June 2012  Sciencedebate stormed onto the political scene in
2008 with signatures from thousands of prominent scientists
calling on Barack Obama and John McCain to debate on science,
technology, and the environment. The candidates declined a TV
discussion but did provide written responses to 14 questions
after a poll found that 85 percent of Americans agreed with the
need for this kind of debate. In a similar 2012 poll, 84 percent
supported a face-off. ScienceDebate cofounder Shawn Lawrence
Otto (above) discusses how the group is revving up for the 2012
election.   How has ScienceDebate grown since it came on the
scene in 2008?  It now has about 40,000 supporters who are not
just scientists and engineers but also corporate CEOs, members
of Congress, pre