I have not chosen between the top 3 Democrats and Joe Biden. I need to watch more debates: I did not watch most of them because they were too early. You need some time for the candidates to be tested/get their messages out, but for a campaign to run 2 years, 50% of the time overall, is poor. We need to look to how other countries run campaigns for ideas. Now that I am interested, there is only 1 month for me to make up my mind.
If I had to vote today, it would be Edwards. Clinton is smart but, as everyone knows, too political. I called her office the day before the Iraq war started and her staffer said he was not allowed to give her opinion on the impending invasion. I think I got a similar response when I called about Guantanamo/Abu Graib. On the other hand, my USA representative at the time (Elliot Engle) staffer answered the latter questions very clearly.

I don't know if academic scientists (as opposed to oil/mining industry) tend to be more liberal. I assume we are, but statistics would be interesting. But, I imagine groups like AGU would not want to keep statistics like that because, if viewed as liberal, conservative congresspeople would not want to support our work.
Chris