Update: Shaheen proposes four-point science plan

U.S. Senate candidate Jeanne Shaheen: Getty Images PhotoU.S. Senate candidate Jeanne Shaheen (D-Madbury) proposed a four-point plan that she says would enhance the role of science in the 21st century.

According to a campaign press release, the former New Hampshire governor wants to increase money for federal research, establish a workforce that would "thrive in the innovation economy," promote private scientific research and "return to making policy decisions based on science and not ideology."

Shaheen said that America's economic future is based on creating a competitive scientific advantage over potential economic rivals.

"We can't compete with India and China for low-wage manufacturing jobs. And I don't want to. That is not our future," Shaheen said at Dartmouth College. "America's future is in maintaining the cutting edge in science and technology, creating new jobs in new industries and giving older industries the tools they need to compete in the global marketplace."

Citing the example of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, she added that science policy should be bi-partisan.

"Our next President must end the censorship of government scientists and appoint only qualified scientists to advisory committees. It's time for Washington to return to the practice of making policy decisions based on the best scientific evidence available."

Shaheen is competing against current U.S. Sen. John Sununu (R-Waterville Valley).

Update: "As the only engineer in the US Senate, I've been proud to fight to protect funding for the National Science Foundation from political manipulation, supported funding for stem cell research and cosponsored legislation establishing tough emission standards for CO2, mercury and sulfur," U.S. Sen. John Sununu said in a statement. "With oil at $140 dollars a barrel, Jeanne Shaheen continues to tow the extreme liberal line, ignoring technology improvements that allow us to produce new energy deep off-shore, while providing better environmental protection than ever before."