Lawrence Krauss
Director, Center for Education and Research in Cosmology and Astrophysics and Ambrose Swasey Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Case Western Reserve University
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It is really unfortunate that the Science Debate 2008 organizers have decided to arbitrarily exclude candidates. The have only invited 4 candidates, excluding Democrat Mike Gravel and Republican Ron Paul. These are precisely the type of candidates that would turn this into a debate: Gravel represented Alaska in Congress and during that time chaired environmental and energy committees; Paul is a doctor and so he stands out as the only person with a science degree.
Why are my colleagues censoring these candidates?
Kathryn,
Because it is not to be a debate, but a rah-rah session for those already endorsed. No important issues are to be raised, only ideas that are already agreed upon.
I would guess that UsedToCare is one of those who proscribe to the idea that the difference between an optimist and a pessimist is experience.
If you look at the manner in which the candidates shape their messages and then stay on message, you have to believe that they will only participate in this event if absolutely forced to do so by public ridicule in the widest media available. When Paul Krugman and Tom Friedman write a joint OpEd for the NYT demanding participation, then we might get it.
My view is jaundiced, I know. I looked at the lack of participation in Houston Energy Summit last week. All of the candidates were invited. Only Clinton showed. Even Ron Paul backed out and he is a Texan.
I don't think that any of the candidates see a down-side from not participating but there is a lot of negative that could flow from showing up and doing poorly.