Dear Mr. President-Elect: In January, when you take the Oath of Office, you will face difficult choices. As you well know, your decisions will have a profound impact on domestic and international affairs for years to come.
You’ll be hearing many and often contradictory opinions on issues of science and technology. I urge you to listen carefully to advice from all quarters. The science agenda of the nation is too important to be neglected. Special attention to science and technology issues will bring great rewards for your administration and for our nation.
It’s a long-standing tradition among editors to offer the newly elected president unsolicited advice. I will not break with that tradition, but will limit myself to arguing on behalf of only two items—a principle and a program—that deserve special consideration.
First, the principle. Focus on the expertise rather than the political persuasion of the scientists you will name ...
