I was listening yesterday to an interview with Madeleine Albright, former secretary of state, on KGNU, an online radio station based in Colorado.

While plugging her new book, she said that the job of secretary of state is more complex than when she had it. The reason? The position now requires more science savvy: the next secretary of state, she said is going to have to know about climate change, energy and public health.

So it’s not just a bunch of geeks thinking all this science stuff is getting more important. So-and yes I keep bringing this up-Madame Secretary, are you prepared to add your name to a call for a Science Debate?

Posted by Charlotte Schubert at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Clearly, John McCain does not read this blog.

He blundered into Nature Medicine territory this week, saying that there was “strong evidence” for a link between autism and vaccines (there is not, a point we have driven home before).

Reminds me of a stumble McCain had last year with a reporter on another of our pet issues, HIV and condoms:

Q: “So no contraception, no counseling on contraception. Just abstinence. Do you think contraceptives help stop the spread of HIV?”
A: Mr. McCain: (Long pause) “You’ve stumped me.”

One blogger offers a charitable—and probably accurate—explanation for the autism statement:

The vast expansion of the state means that we expect our representatives to have opinions on everything from missile defense to flame-retardant pajamas. No one could possibly learn about every subject we expect them to know, even if he were not spending sixteen hours a day doing the grip-and-grin with voters, lobbyists, donors, and other politicians.

It would be interesting to hear more about the views of McCain and the other candidates on HIV prevention, contraception and even vaccination (another reason for a science debate). But at least he’s got the scientific consensus right when it comes to global warming.

Posted by Charlotte Schubert at 01:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)