John Edwards' Take On Tech
Nov 19, 2007
TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington has published his latest presidential candidate Q&A -- this one with Democratic contender John Edwards.
As we've done with TechCrunch's prior interviews with Mitt Romney and John McCain, we've posted a summary of former Sen. Edwards' remarks after the jump. To be clear, both Arrington and Edwards have much more to say than this. In fact, some of the questions were almost as lengthy as the answers. We just selected excerpts to whet your appetite.
On advancing tech's growth in international markets: "I believe that the single most important factor for America's future prosperity is investment in education, science, technology and innovation."
On making net neutrality a priority if he's elected President: "As president, I will do several things to encourage innovation and neutrality online. First, I will ensure that the FCC preserves free expression and competition on the Internet by enforcing net neutrality, ensuring no degradation or blocking of access to web sites. I will also bring the Carterfone rule to wireless so that Americans can connect any device or applications to their wireless service, just as they can to their landline phone service."
On ensuring that every U.S. student is technologically literate by the time he/she finishes 8th grade: "Our children are every bit as talented as our foreign competitors, but they have not been given the tools they need to succeed. I believe that every school should be wired and that we need to overhaul our curricula to emphasize technological skills, math and science, creative thinking and problem-solving."
On closing the "digital divide" in the U.S.: "There should be no neighborhoods in America where the lights of the Internet are not on. The starting place for that is setting a goal of giving all U.S. homes and businesses access to real high-speed Internet by 2010."
On open access rules for wireless spectrum auctions: "I was the only presidential candidate to write to the FCC in May to urge it to adopt auction rules for the 700 megahertz spectrum that would unleash the potential of smaller new entrants, transforming information opportunity for people across America...I also support using at least part of the white space spectrum that will become available in the transition to digital TV for unlicensed wireless use."
On encouraging innovation in renewable and sustainable energy: "My climate change plan includes three great goals: reduce our carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050, transform energy use in America to usher in a new energy economy, and freeze the demand for electricity with efficiency for the next decade."
On how his tech policies are different from Sen. Obama's and Sen. Clinton's: "I believe that I am more willing to set ambitious goals and to fight for the kind of transformation we need."
For the entire interview, visit TechCrunch.
Tags:
2008 Elections, John Edwards
