Which Candidates are Technology Friendly?

I considered whether or not I should have posted this post before the Super Tuesday primary elections, but considered how close the race still is, I think it's just as important - if not more - to talk about this issue now. This will affect many of you readers as, chances are, if you're reading my blog, how politics affects technology is very important. The US government allows non-elected people to dictate rules regarding net-neutrality and allow companies like Comcast to censor our Internet; this is one clear example about how ignorant politicians can directly affect our Internet - our livelihoods.

Here's a poll for you to respond, courtesy of www.blogpoll.com:



"Issues"

So I took a look at each of the five remaining candidates' web page, and they all a section called "Issues" of which they speak about what they support.

I'll list them from worst to best, in my opinion.

Romney

Supports:
- Energy independence, via drilling in national parks (ANWR) for oil and building more nuclear plants. Well, at least he's not afraid of nuclear technology, right?
- Boosting education through school-choice and a home-schooling tax rebate. So, basically, nothing substantial. He claimed he supported higher education by starting a scholarship program. So what? That's nothing that tons of rich people can't claim.


Huckabee

Supports:
- Alternative energy resources and energy independence. He lists things like "wind" and "solar". Kudos.
- Education improvements: He touts risen test scores in his state while he was governor "because of his reforms" and wants music and art to be more standard. (Nothing about computers or science, however.)
- Improved American infastructure and transportation (granted, it's all highways and air travel, nothing about mass transit improvements)

So, meh. Alternative energy is an unavoidable inevitability in my opinion, but I guess compared to Romney, he at least deserves some credit.

McCain

- Lists "environment" as an issue on his pull-down menu on the home page
- Acknowledges that global warming is real, is our responsibility to fix, and actually speaks about it in a video directly, where he refers to it as a national security issue. Since he's a war veteran who's running a national security-heavy campaign, I'd say that's a good sign.
- Supports education improvements via school-choice.
- Supports stem-cell research, though he doesn't list it on his web-page because he's trying to dodge mentioning it during the primaries.

McCain's a step-up from the other Republican choices, for sure, but he's clearly not focused on technology as a major issue.

Clinton

- Lists "Innovation" in her main page "Issues" pull-down menu
- Speaks extensively about supporting "innovation", in the context of business and job creation.
- Lists Energy Independence / Global warming in her main page "Issues" pull-down menu
- Supports all sorts of pro-green initiatives.
- Lists Education in her main page "Issues" pull-down menu
- Wants to give more tax credits and financial investments into basic and higher education. (Though no mention of science / computer leanings.)
- Pro-stem cell research
- Pro-net-neutrality

Clinton's got her eye on technology, she at least understands the issues. Technology-wise, she already puts all of the Republicans to shame on their stance.

Obama

- Has "Technology" on his main page pull-down menu
- From his Technology page:

• Ensure an open Internet.
• Create a transparent and connected democracy.
• Encourage a modern communications infrastructure.
• Employ technology to solve our nation’s most pressing problems.
• Improve America’s competitiveness.

- Has Education on his main page pull-down menu
- Supports adding funding, tax-credit for college, rewarding teachers though is less specific on the "how".
- Has Energy and Environment on his main page pull-down menu
- Supports creating high energy-saving goals (80% reduction in emissions by 2050, for one), creating standards for businesses, and investing money into technology to solve these challenges
- BONUS: Only candidate to mention "preserving our first amendment" as an issue.

Obama is the clear winner, hands down. While Clinton comes close, Obama's web site portrays technology not as a means of jobs or business, but as a worthy end in itself. One may question how Obama is going to achieve all of the goals, however, there's no doubt his policy is the most tech-friendly out of all of the candidates.

One Last Note: Net Neutrality

Thanks, CNet for this info:
Candidate / Net neutrality legislation?
Clinton / Strong yes
Huckabee / Maybe*
McCain / No
Obama / Strong yes
Paul / No
Romney / Ducked question