This is not a political blog. Unlike some of my science-blogging colleagues, I prefer to keep my personal politics separate from my advocacy of science and skepticism. But I do want to make a few politically-neutral observations about yesterday’s election.

Regardless of what side of the political spectrum one resides and whether or not your candidate won – it is alway wondrous every four years to watch the process itself unfold. There are occasional glitches, but for the most part, the voters express their desires and that is the final word.

Last night, after a hard-fought campaign, John McCain graciously conceded defeat to Barack Obama, called on his supporters to now come together behind the new president, and pledged to work with him. Shortly after that, Obama declared victory and emphasized his desire to represent all of America, not just those who voted for him. Yes – this is the standard rhetoric that is expected of acceptance speeches – but that itself speaks powerfully of the system.

On January 20th 2009 there will be a peaceful and orderly transition of government.

This election also seems to mark a trend that I hope will continue – the restoration of science to its proper place within the wheels of government. Science needs to be a transparent meritocratic system. Governmental decisions that involve scientific questions should be informed by the best unbaised science available.

This relationship has eroded over the last seven years to one in which ideology dictates science, where the flow of information is backwards. I hope that recent history serves as a reminder of the follies of this approach, and that the backlash against it will result in an appreciation and respect for the necessary role of science in government even greater than before.

Science Debate 2008 was one manifestation of this backlash, and I hope that it becomes a permanent fixture in American elections.  I further hope that Obama lives up to the promises he made in his answers to the 14 questions given to him by SD2008 – which include increasing the role of science advisors to the president.

The scientific community, including science bloggers and popularizers, needs to keep the pressure on. Science is too important to allow it to become a victim of political ideology.

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As always, I also blog on Wednesdays at Science-Based Medicine.