76 American Nobel Laureates in Science Endorse Obama

Seventy six American Nobel Laureates in science have endorsed Barack Obama for President of the United States.

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Seventy six American Nobel Laureates in science have endorsed Barack Obama for President of the United States. This is the largest number of Nobelists to ever endorse a candidate for office, eclipsing the 47 who endorsed John Kerry in 2004.

Their Letter to the American Public (link below) focuses on Obama's plan for managing and growing the nation's scientific endeavor. "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."

The list includes all three American Nobel Laureates in science for 2008, Martin Chalfie of Columbia University and Roger Tsien of the University of California at San Diego who shared the prize in Chemistry and Yoichiro Nambu, of the University of Chicago who won the prize in Physics.

Chalfie was the first of the three to make his intentions known. One of the first actions he took after learning he won was to contact a friend about signing on to the Obama endorsement letter. "I understand there's a list of Nobel Prize winners supporting Barack Obama, and I want to get my name on the list," Chalfie said. Chalfie also recorded a YouTube video explaining his endorsement to the public, explaining "The United States is the leader in scientific discovery and its application, but other countries are working hard to take away this lead. Barack Obama's administration will continue to keep us the envy of the world."

During the last eight years of the Bush administration, vital parts of our country's scientific enterprise have been damaged by stagnant or declining federal support and the government's scientific advisory process has been undermined by political considerations. As a result, our once dominant position in science has been shaken and our prosperity has been placed at risk. John McCain's promise to freeze funding increases for science next year threatens to continue this dangerous trend. In addition, the reckless statements he and Gov. Palin have made on specific science programs including studies aimed at protecting the grizzly bear population, funding for a planetarium and research on fruit flies that have the potential to decimate crops brings to doubt their ability to manage the nation's science programs.

A pdf copy of the letter can be found at http://sefora.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/nobel_letter_v6.pdf

Link to Dr. Chalfie's YouTube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAr0MesBfXo

Source: Scientists and Engineers for America

76 American Nobel Laureates in Science Endorse Obama

Seventy six American Nobel Laureates in science have endorsed Barack Obama for President of the United States.

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