WASHINGTON: Eighty one Nobel Laureates endorsed Democrat Joe Biden for President in an open letter on Wednesday, citing the former vice president's "willingness to listen to experts" and his "deep appreciation for using science to find solutions," even as incumbent Donald Trump continued to denigrate his opponent as a “low energy candidate” who would be a disaster for America.
The Nobel laureates, all winners of the prize in chemistry, medicine and physics, stressed the importance of elected leaders making decisions based on science, particularly during a global pandemic, while praising Biden and obliquely attacking on Trump, who they did not name.
"At no time in our nation's history has there been a greater need for our leaders to appreciate the value of science in formulating public policy," their letter, which also doffs a hat at immigrants, reads. "During his long record of public service, Joe Biden has consistently demonstrated his willingness to listen to experts, his understanding of the value of international collaboration in research and his respect for the contribution that immigrants make to the intellectual life of our country."
The letter was reportedly organized by Illinois Democratic Congressman Bill Foster, who is the sole physicist on the Hill, and who has rustled up similar support before, with different outcomes. Seventy Nobel laureates endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election and 76 endorsed Barack Obama in the 2008 election, hewing to the broad perception and surveys that show that better-educated voters leans towards Democrats.
Trump has celebrated his support among the poorly-educated while at the same time boasting of his credentials as a “stable genius” who went to elite schools (though dubious means, according to his sister and niece). Some experts have suggested the Trump win in 2016 was in tune with the growing anti-intellectualism and resentment with the liberal educated elites in the U.S., on part of the more rural, blue-collar working class whose lives have been upended by globalization.
That clash is being played out again in the U.S upper Midwest that is emerging as the battleground, with both Biden, who has blue-collar working class credentials, making his case against a President who is part of the coastal elite but who has convinced his base that he is their savior.
Trump meanwhile has settled into a strategy of blaming Democrats for the civil unrest --going so far as to suggest they are backing "domestic terrorists" -- although the violence is also being provoked by his racist white nationalist base. He is also mocking his older opponent into campaigning in the open to offset the perception that he (Trump) has been reckless in the way he has managed the coronavirus pandemic.
“Joe Biden is a Low Energy Candidate the likes of which we have never seen before. The last thing our country needs is a Low Energy Individual, especially when surrounded by High Energy Chess Players scattered all over the world. He’s back in his basement now - no schedule!” Trump taunted on Tuesday. Democrats hit back by producing Trump’s own schedule showing barely any activity during the day, accusing him of spending most of his time watching television and tweeting, and not getting to work before noon.
Post-convention polls still show Biden leading Trump from between 7 and 11 points, but Trump and his supporters have wheeled out an occasional survey showing an even tighter race to present a confident front. Political pundits and market analysts too are warning that it is way to early to write off Trump, and his strategy of generating fear of chaos and violence in the event of a Democratic victory is starting to show some effect in American suburbia.
Amid all this there is also the logistical nightmare – a doomsday scenario for Democrats -- that is starting to emerge: What happens if early trends on November 3 show a big Trump lead (because his supporters will vote in person unmindful of coronavirus fears) and he claims victory, even as that lead could be overturned by mail-in votes from Democrats that may be counted late?
The Nobel laureates, all winners of the prize in chemistry, medicine and physics, stressed the importance of elected leaders making decisions based on science, particularly during a global pandemic, while praising Biden and obliquely attacking on Trump, who they did not name.
"At no time in our nation's history has there been a greater need for our leaders to appreciate the value of science in formulating public policy," their letter, which also doffs a hat at immigrants, reads. "During his long record of public service, Joe Biden has consistently demonstrated his willingness to listen to experts, his understanding of the value of international collaboration in research and his respect for the contribution that immigrants make to the intellectual life of our country."
The letter was reportedly organized by Illinois Democratic Congressman Bill Foster, who is the sole physicist on the Hill, and who has rustled up similar support before, with different outcomes. Seventy Nobel laureates endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election and 76 endorsed Barack Obama in the 2008 election, hewing to the broad perception and surveys that show that better-educated voters leans towards Democrats.
Trump has celebrated his support among the poorly-educated while at the same time boasting of his credentials as a “stable genius” who went to elite schools (though dubious means, according to his sister and niece). Some experts have suggested the Trump win in 2016 was in tune with the growing anti-intellectualism and resentment with the liberal educated elites in the U.S., on part of the more rural, blue-collar working class whose lives have been upended by globalization.
That clash is being played out again in the U.S upper Midwest that is emerging as the battleground, with both Biden, who has blue-collar working class credentials, making his case against a President who is part of the coastal elite but who has convinced his base that he is their savior.
Trump meanwhile has settled into a strategy of blaming Democrats for the civil unrest --going so far as to suggest they are backing "domestic terrorists" -- although the violence is also being provoked by his racist white nationalist base. He is also mocking his older opponent into campaigning in the open to offset the perception that he (Trump) has been reckless in the way he has managed the coronavirus pandemic.
“Joe Biden is a Low Energy Candidate the likes of which we have never seen before. The last thing our country needs is a Low Energy Individual, especially when surrounded by High Energy Chess Players scattered all over the world. He’s back in his basement now - no schedule!” Trump taunted on Tuesday. Democrats hit back by producing Trump’s own schedule showing barely any activity during the day, accusing him of spending most of his time watching television and tweeting, and not getting to work before noon.
Post-convention polls still show Biden leading Trump from between 7 and 11 points, but Trump and his supporters have wheeled out an occasional survey showing an even tighter race to present a confident front. Political pundits and market analysts too are warning that it is way to early to write off Trump, and his strategy of generating fear of chaos and violence in the event of a Democratic victory is starting to show some effect in American suburbia.
Amid all this there is also the logistical nightmare – a doomsday scenario for Democrats -- that is starting to emerge: What happens if early trends on November 3 show a big Trump lead (because his supporters will vote in person unmindful of coronavirus fears) and he claims victory, even as that lead could be overturned by mail-in votes from Democrats that may be counted late?
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