Presenting science questions to John McCain and Barack Obama

Science Debate 2008 — an effort spearheaded by a half-dozen voters concerned about the state of American science — posed 14 questions to the major parties’ presidential candidates, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain.

The queries were culled from more than 3,400 suggestions offered by 38,000 contributors, including Nobel laureates, university presidents, government officials and professional organizations.

Obama submitted his responses in August, and McCain answered this week. Excerpts are printed below, with more to come next Saturday. The candidates’ complete replies are online at www.sciencedebate2008.com.

LA Times