... especially since I successfully resisted the urge to say dy-no-mite! in the post title.
An Open Letter to the American People September 25, 2008
This year's presidential election is among the most significant in our nation's history. The country urgently needs a visionary leader who can ensure the future of our traditional strengths in science and technology and who can harness those strengths to address many of our greatest problems: energy, disease, climate change, security, and economic competitiveness.
We are convinced that Senator Barack Obama is such a leader, and we urge you to join us in supporting him.
During the administration of George W. Bush, vital parts of our country's scientific enterprise have been damaged by stagnant or declining federal support. The government's scientific advisory process has been distorted by political considerations. As a result, our once dominant position in the scientific world has been shaken and our prosperity has been placed at risk. We have lost time critical for the development of new ways to provide energy, treat disease, reverse climate change, strengthen our security, and improve our economy.
We have watched Senator Obama's approach to these issues with admiration. We especially applaud his emphasis during the campaign on the power of science and technology to enhance our nation's competitiveness. In particular, we support the measures he plans to take -- through new initiatives in education and training, expanded research funding, an unbiased process for obtaining scientific advice, and an appropriate balance of basic and applied research -- to meet the nation's and the world's most urgent needs.
Senator Obama understands that Presidential leadership and federal investments in science and technology are crucial elements in successful governance of the world's leading country. We hope you will join us as we work together to ensure his election in November.
Signed,
Alexei Abrikosov Physics 2003 Roger Guillemin Medicine 1977 Peter Agre Chemistry 2003 John L. Hall Physics 2005 Sidney Altman Chemistry 1989 Leland H. Hartwell Medicine 2001 Philip W. Anderson Physics 1977 Dudley Herschbach Chemistry 1986 Richard Axel Medicine 2004 Roald Hoffmann Chemistry 1981 David Baltimore Medicine 1975 H. Robert Horvitz Medicine 2002 Baruj Benacerraf Medicine 1980 Louis Ignarro Medicine 1998 Paul Berg Chemistry 1980 Eric R. Kandel Medicine 2000 J. Michael Bishop Medicine 1989 Walter Kohn Chemistry 1998 N. Bloembergen Physics 1981 Roger Kornberg Chemistry 2006 Michael S. Brown Medicine 1985 Leon M. Lederman Physics 1988 Linda B. Buck Medicine 2004 Craig C. Mello Medicine 2006 Mario R. Capecchi Medicine 2007 Marshall Nirenberg Medicine 1968 Stanley Cohen Medicine 1986 Douglas D. Osheroff Physics 1996 Leon Cooper Physics 1972 Stanley B. Prusiner Medicine 1997 James W. Cronin Physics 1980 Norman F. Ramsey Physics 1989 Robert F. Curl Chemistry 1996 Robert Richardson Physics 1996 Johann Diesenhofer Chemistry 1988 Burton Richter Physics 1976 John B. Fenn Chemistry 2002 Sherwood Rowland Chemistry 1995 Edmond H. Fischer Medicine 1992 Oliver Smithies Medicine 2007 Val Fitch Physics 1980 Richard R Schrock Chemistry 2005 Jerome I. Friedman Physics 1990 Joseph H. Taylor Jr. Physics 1993 Riccardo Giacconi Physics 2002 E. Donnall Thomas Medicine 1990 Walter Gilbert Chemistry 1980 Charles H. Townes Physics 1964 Alfred G. Gilman Medicine 1994 Daniel C. Tsui Physics 1998 Donald A. Glaser Physics 1960 Harold Varmus Medicine 1989 Sheldon L. Glashow Physics 1979 James D. Watson Medicine 1962 Joseph Goldstein Medicine 1985 Eric Wieschaus Medicine 1995 Paul Greengard Medicine 2000 Frank Wilczek Physics 2004 David Gross Physics 2004 Robert W. Wilson Physics 1978 Robert H. Grubbs Chemistry 2005 The views expressed in this letter represent those of the signers acting as individual citizens. They do not necessarily represent the views of the institutions with which they are affiliated. The Medicine award is for "Physiology or Medicine."
Daniel Holz at Cosmic Variance explains the significance of this endorsement letter.
3 comments:
Well, that list impresses the hell out of me! What, no pics of Palin schmoozing with that bunch? Hmm...
It's good, I suppose. Why is it that I suspect anyone impressed by it is already on board with Obama?
You make a fair point, John, but I'd say two things.
First, you never can tell what will be the thing that tips those still sitting on the fence. I can imagine certain types of voters for whom this could be so; e.g., libertarian types, especially those of a scientific or technical nature, who have traditionally voted Republican but who are looking for an excuse to break ties with all those Christianists. This sort of endorsement also reminds people of Palin's true nature, not to mention McCain's willingness to sell out to the same people he earlier used to build his "maverick" image.
Second, it always helps for supporters to have another reason to like their guy. Note kyklops had the same reaction as I did. It makes a difference in the political discourse, where people influence the thinking of those around them, if the supporters are more enthusiastic. For people not especially engaged in the political process, the single strongest influence is the opinion of someone they know and trust -- this is the basis of the entire Obama networking strategy.
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