Latest Nobel Laureates Endorse Obama

Three of the four American scientists who shared Nobel prizes in the sciences endorsed Barack Obama for president today.

Chemicists Martin Chalfie of Columbia University and Roger Tsien of UC-San Diego joined physicist Yoichiro Nambu of the University of Chicago in endorsing the Democrat.

“The first thing I did on learning that I had been honored this year was to add my name to the letter issued last month by 61 Nobel Laureates in science supporting Barack Obama,” Chalfie said in a video released today. “I’m happy to say that the other two American nominees this year, Yoichiro Nambu and Roger Tsien have also signed this letter.”

Chalfie criticized the Bush administration for making cuts to scientific research, and for not appropriately taking into account scientific research in its policymaking.

“Unfortnately, the last eight years have seen a decline in the position and support for science in this country,” Chalfie said. “This change is destroying our scientific integrity…Barack Obama’s plan for science addresses all of these issues.”

One American prizewinner, Osamu Shimomura of Boston University, was not mentioned in the endorsement video.

Watch the video here:

–Michael O’Brien