How the Presidential Candidates Stand on Technology

Democratic Candidates

Finding out where the two remaining Democratic candidates stand on tech wasn't hard. Both have a list of technology concerns and promises on their respective Web sites, and various interviews, speeches, and other sources make their positions clear.

Senator Hillary Clinton (D-New York)

On access: Proposes a "Connect America" plan to use federal tax incentives to encourage broadband deployment in underserved areas. The plan also proposes financial support for state and local broadband initiatives.

On Net neutrality: Supports Net neutrality , and cosponsored Senate legislation to "require all broadband providers to treat all Internet traffic equally."

On privacy and security: Opposes the Bush administration's use of warrantless wiretaps and e-mail and phone record collection in pursuit of terror suspects. In one 2006 speech she said, "At all levels, the privacy protections for ordinary citizens are broken, inadequate and out of date... If we want to protect our safety and our privacy, we need clear guidelines and we need to get smart about technologies."

On innovation: Proposes to increase the research budgets at the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy's Office of Science, and the Defense Department by 50 percent over the next ten years. Proposes a 50 percent bump for the National Institutes of Health budget over five years, and to double it over ten years. Says she will triple the number of National Science Foundation fellowships and increase each award by a third.

Senator Barack Obama (D-Illinois)

On access: Promises to treat broadband as an essential, universal service: "We have ensured that every American has access to telephone service and electricity, regardless of economic status, and [he] will do likewise for broadband Internet access." Also says he will "demand a review of existing uses of our wireless spectrum" and "create incentives for smarter, more efficient and more imaginative use of government spectrum."

On Net neutrality: "Barack Obama strongly supports the principle of network neutrality to preserve the benefits of open competition on the Internet." Also supports patent and copyright reform to "promote civic discourse, innovation and investment while ensuring that intellectual property owners are fairly treated."

On privacy and security: Opposes Homeland Security wiretapping , and "would adhere to Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) rules for the surveillance of any Internet and telephone communications, and would establish strict procedures for the use of any PATRIOT Act powers, especially national security letters." Says he will "strengthen privacy protections for the digital age," requiring that parents have the option of receiving parental-controls software (though Obama's site doesn't specify who would supply the software), and increasing the FTC enforcement budget to combat international Internet crime.

On innovation: Proposes doubling federal funding for basic research and making the Research and Development tax credit permanent.

How do you stand on technology issues? Fill out our survey, and we'll report on the results soon.