Obama Names 4 Top Science Advisers

Geo-engineering could be last resort, Holdren says

(NEWSER) - Global warming may get to the point where drastic "geo-engineering" measures to cool the earth will be necessary, President Obama’s top science adviser tells the AP. John Holdren said shooting reflective particles into the upper atmosphere to reflect some sunlight is a last resort, but one he's raised with other administration officials. "We don't have the luxury of taking any approach off the table," said Holdren. More»

Harvard energy expert to get key role, cheering scientists

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama will appoint Harvard physicist John P. Holdren as science adviser this weekend, pointing to an expanded role for science in the next administration, the Boston Globe reports. Holdren is versed in energy, climate change, and nuclear proliferation. Coming on the heels of Nobel laureate Steven Chu’s nomination as energy secretary, the news pleased scientists who felt sidelined by the Bush administration. More»

May quickly provide infrastructure funding; states want $136B

(NEWSER) - President-elect Obama pledged today to approve billions in government expenditures on public works projects when he assumes office, the New York Times reports. Invoking Eisenhower’s Interstate program, Obama said “we will create millions of jobs,” possibly by funding some or all of $136 billion in infrastructure projects already approved by state governments. More»

(NEWSER) - Douglas Kmiec’s possible appointment by Barack Obama as ambassador to the Vatican shouldn’t raise any hackles and—pro-lifers' views to the contrary—would not be an insult to the church, Henry Farrell writes on Crooked Timber. “Kmiec continues to state his opposition to abortion,” Farrell writes. He supported pro-choice Obama for the express purpose of curbing abortions, because he considered the president-elect a better choice than McCain. More»

DC lawyer, who has accepted post, oversaw VP selection; confirmation looks likely

(NEWSER) - Eric Holder, a former US Attorney, judge, and deputy attorney general under Bill Clinton, will be Barack Obama’s nominee to head the Justice Department, Newsweek reports. Sources say Holder has been considered for the post from the beginning, and he ran the Democrat’s vice-presidential search along with Caroline Kennedy. If confirmed, Holder would be the first African American Attorney General. More»