> home
> About
> Contact Us
> Editorial Info
> IEEE-USA

10.08

McCain and Obama's Tech Platforms

By John R. Platt

It's safe to say that the next four years of science and technology advancements in the United States will be shaped by the outcome of the next four weeks.

Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama each have different views on the future of technology. Sometimes those views overlap, sometimes they don't. But each has a chance at influencing the careers of many IEEE members and others working in technology.

So let's examine some of the issues at hand...

The R&D Tax Credit

Both candidates told ScienceDebate2008.com that high-tech innovation is vital to the U.S. economy. Obama says he will make the Research & Development tax credit, which expired for the 13th time last December, permanent. McCain says his administration "would establish a permanent research and development tax credit equal to ten percent of wages spent on R&D." (The tax credit currently covers up to 20 percent of a broad range of expenses.)

High-Tech Employment, Education & Immigration

The candidates agree that the future of the American economy depends upon a highly trained work force. Immigration and education both play critical roles in their policies.

McCain proposes a flexible approach to immigration, with caps on green cards and H-1B visas that rise and fall based on market needs. Obama wants immigrants who earn degrees in the United States to have greater flexibility to stay in the country and work, and proposes examining how to increase the number of permanent visas issued.

Obama calls for a greater concentration of American workers in sci-tech positions, especially minorities, a move that would require greater training and education to improve the American work force. His proposals, he tells ScienceDebate2008.com, include a $4,000 American Opportunity Tax Credit designed to provide affordable access to STEM education. And on his Web site, Obama proposes a plan to create 30,000 new teachers for "high-need schools," including new math and science teachers. He proposes IT-enhanced education for all students.

McCain also proposes training and educating math and science teachers, with bonuses for STEM teachers who demonstrate student improvement. He calls for $250 million in competitive grants to improve online education, and proposes bringing private corporations into the process. McCain also points out the need to continue educating the current work force and re-training displaced workers.

Plug-In Hybrids

Are plug-in hybrids the future of transportation? Both candidates seem to think so. McCain proposes a $300 million prize to develop a battery that would "leapfrog" the commercial availability of plug-in hybrids.

Obama, meanwhile, wants to put 1 million plug-in hybrids on the road in the next seven years. On his Web site, he promises to start this process by converting all White House vehicles (security needs permitting) to plug-in hybrids within one year, and making sure that half of all new vehicles purchased by the federal government are plug-ins by 2012.

Obama also proposes investing $150 billion over 10 years to, among other things, "accelerate the commercialization of plug-in hybrids"; a $7,000 tax credit to purchase advanced technology vehicles or convert existing vehicles; and providing $4 billion in "retooling tax credits" to manufacturers of automobiles and parts.

The America COMPETES Act

The America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act aims to increase the participation of women and minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Barack Obama was one of 69 co-sponsors of the bill, and passed three amendments to it.

John McCain told ScienceDebate2008.com that he would fully fund the Act.

The Future of Energy

Energy policies are going to be complex issues over the next decade, and the presidential candidates' positions are no exception.

Both candidates express the need for nuclear power to generate electricity without producing carbon emissions. Obama's Web site concentrates on the need for nuclear security. McCain promises to "put the country on track" to build 45 new reactors in the next 20 years.

Regarding nuclear waste storage, Obama says he does not believe that the current Yucca Mountain site is suitable, and promises to "look for safe, long–term disposal solutions based on objective, scientific analysis" and develop requirements for waste storage "using the most advanced dry-cask storage technology available." McCain has no stated policy on the storage of nuclear waste.

McCain wants America to become a leader in green technologies, and tells ScienceDebate2008.com that investments in research and cutting greenhouse gases will help spur the country's economic growth.

Obama proposes investing $150 billion over ten years into researching and commercializing hybrid vehicles, as well as researching other alternative fuels and energy-storage technologies, and capturing greenhouse gases. He also proposes specific goals for increasing building efficiency and fuel economy standards, and providing incentives for other innovations.

Obama expands upon his ScienceDebate2008.com answers on his Web site, saying he will require 10 percent of U.S. electricity to come from renewable resources in the next four years. He also pledges to develop and deploy clean-coal technology.

Space Exploration

Obama told ScienceDebate2008.com he would re-create the National Aeronautics and Space Council to oversee civilian, military and commercial space activities, as well as space-based issues of national security. "Under my administration," wrote Obama, "NASA not only will inspire the world with both human and robotic space exploration, but also will again lead in confronting the challenges we face here on Earth, including global climate change, energy independence, and aeronautics research."

McCain, who served as Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, sees manned space flight as a "reflection of national power and pride." He has called for the continuation of space shuttle flights past their currently planned decommissioning in 2010, and promises to make space exploration a "top priority."

eHealth & Genetic Fairness

Both candidates propose using information technology and eHealth systems to reduce the cost of health care. McCain offers no specifics, but Obama pledges to invest $50 billion over five years in eHealth systems.

When considering the impact of genetic testing on privacy, Obama says he was a "long-term supporter" of the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act, and he introduced the Genomics and Personalized Medicine Act of 2007 (no action has yet been taken on this legislation). McCain promises to "seek out the wise council of experts" to find ways to protect patient privacy.

For more on all of these issues, visit www.sciencedebate2008.com, www.johnmccain.com and www.barackobama.com.

John Platt is a marketing consultant and journalist living in Maine. He is a regular contributor to Today's Engineer.

Comments may be submitted to todaysengineer@ieee.org.