Nobel Prize Winner Harold Varmus Endorses Obama

[jefferson_dem]

Harold Varmus Endorses Obama

By Nicholas Thompson February 03, 2008 | 4:57:17 PMCategories: 2008 Presidential Election

Harold Varmus won a Nobel Prize for his cancer research, ran the NIH for seven years under Bill Clinton, and is now in charge of Sloan Kettering. He's a brilliant scientist, a mensch, an advocate for opening up vast troves of scientific information---and now a supporter of Barack Obama.

His endorsement should mean a lot. He's become one of the nation's great public explainers of science, and he understands the need for scientists to stand up when reason and research conflict with politics---as has happened repeatedly on issues like stem cells, climate change, and evolution. He knows that people concerned about scientific progress should be concerned about who's elected president.

He clearly respects both Hillary Clinton and Obama. But he's decided the latter is a better choice. Here's the statement he sent to Wired:

"The country and the Democratic Party are fortunate to have two remarkable people running for President in 2008: Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. I have known Hillary Clinton for about fifteen years---I served as Director of the NIH during the Clinton Administration; she has been one of my two Senators for the past eight years---and I like her immensely. More to the point, I admire her intelligence and commitment to public service, and I agree with her on nearly all matters of policy (save for some important votes on Iraq). In particular, I applaud her understanding of the relationship between science and the federal government (most recently displayed in an excellent speech she delivered at the Carnegie Institution). If she is nominated to be the Democratic candidate for President, I will support her campaign whole-heartedly.

But on Tuesday, I will vote for Senator Obama, and here's why. I believe that the Bush administration has so deeply damaged this country's status, both at home and abroad, that the situation demands the leader who can most rapidly restore our self-respect and the respect of others around the world. This can best be achieved by a clean break with recent history. In that sense, Obama offers more than intelligence, sensible positions on policy, and dedication to public service---the characteristics he and Hillary Clinton share. He represents a new kind of leader, one without ties to a divisive past and one who portrays through his personal history a global perspective that is both crucial and unprecedented. His election, like no other, would instantly announce that America has turned a corner historically and will now be led by a distinct and fresh intellect."

http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/02/harold-varmus-e.html

[scheming daemons]

1. Doesn't count with Hillary supporters... he's got a penis.... n/t

...

[City Lights]

3. Roaring with laughter!

:rofl: :spray:

[LittleBlue]

7. Hahaha

:spank:

[4themind]

2. WOW

A man I've greatly admired as a researcher

[tammywammy]

4. Thanks for posting

I don't know how anyone could not respect this.

[JFKgirl]

6. but... but.... he has a penis *gasp*

[City Lights]

5. Very impressive endorsement. eom

[Olney Blue]

8. This is an impressive endorsement from Dr. Varmus.

[loveangelc]

9. I hope nobel peace prize winner comes. If it comes it will come after Tuesday...

[tammywammy]

10. kick