John Edwards (D)

Is the U.S. losing its innovation edge to emerging powers such as China and India?
We find ourselves challenged by other countries which have invested aggressively in education, engineering, and infrastructure, giving them an edge in the global economy. American 9th graders are 18th in the world in science education. Every year, 200,000 college-qualified students cannot enroll because their families cannot afford it. Our children are every bit as talented as our foreign competitors, but they have not been given the tools they need to succeed. Building "One America"—where every person has a chance to succeed—means confronting the competitive challenges of the new century and leading the world in innovation.