INPUT Government Technology Market Blog

Who's Talking Tech to the Presidential Candidates?
Posted on: May 8, 2008 | Posted By: Deniece Peterson
Related Categories: State & Local, Policy & Legislation, Federal

This year's Presidential race has been interesting in terms of technology. Technology plays a much bigger role in the candidates' agendas, from healthcare to government performance and spending. However, there seems to be a technology literacy gap between the Democratic and Republican candidates. Senator Clinton and Senator Obama have well-defined technology agendas, while Senator McCain leaves hints and clues for the IT community like a scavenger hunt.

While the age differences may play a role in the tech-savviness of the candidates (insert McCain joke here), it doesn't hurt to keep an eye on the individuals whispering sweet technology nothings into the candidates' ears.

Obama Technology Advisor: Julius Genochowski

Background:

  • Obama's Harvard Law School classmate
  • Former Chief Counsel to former FCC Chairman Reed Hundt; Former Chief of Business Operations for IAC/InterActive Corp (USA Network, SciFi Channel, Expedia, LendingTree, Match.com, CitySearch, and more); Co-founder of Rock Creek Ventures (an investment and advisory services firm)
  • Chaired the group that advised Obama on his technology and innovation plan, which includes the nation's first CTO.
  • Acted as a "technology idea broker" by arranging a meeting between Sen. Obama and 50 new-media and technology executives, co-hosted by former AOL chief executive Jonathan Miller and technology venture-capitalist Deven Parekh.
  • Encourages need for government to invest in innovative technologies that may not yet have a market.

    • Quote:"If we don't get technology policy right in the next administration, we won't make the progress we need." (Government Computer News, 1/30/08)

    Also keep an eye on: Alec Ross, Science and Technology Advisor and Exec. VP for One Economy Corporation

    Clinton Technology Advisor: Thomas Kalil

    Background:

  • Special Assistant to the Chancellor for Science and Technology at UC Berkeley
  • Former Deputy Assistant for Technology and Economic Policy and Deputy Director of the White House National Economic Council in Clinton administration
  • Led Clinton administration initiatives related to nanotechnology, Next Generation Internet, e-Learning, and IT research funding.
  • Consultant for Semiconductor Industry Association and RAND.

    • Quote:"The current administration has the same relationship with advisory committees that exists between a drunk and a lamppost. That is, it's used for support rather than illumination." (American Association for the Advancement of Science Annual Meeting, 2/16/08)

    Also keep an eye on: Henry Kelly, Science and Technology Advisor and President of the Federation of American Scientists

    McCainTechnology Advisor: John Chambers

    Background:

  • Chairman/CEO, Cisco Systems
  • Celebrated for resurrecting Cisco after the dot com bubble burst

    • Quote:"What we would hope to see in the next president, be they Republican or Democrat, is somebody that really understands how to use technology to address growth opportunities, job creation, more economic stability, productivity which translates into standard of living, and giving this opportunity to more and more people." (ChannelWeb, 4/11/2008)

    Also keep an eye on: Carly Fiorina, former HP CEO; Doug Holtz-Eakin, Economic Advisor and former director of the Congressional Budget Office; Steve Ballmer, Microsoft's CEO; Fred Smith, FedEx's CEO

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