Where does Joe Biden stand on technology issues?
A supporter of clean technology
One of Sen. Joe Biden's more recent efforts to pass technology-related legislation has been a bill introduced last month to develop a international monetary fund to help develop and promote clean energy technology. The effort is also supported by fellow Senate Foreign Relations Committe Richard G. Lugar (R - Ind.), Robert Menendez (D - N.J.) and Chuck Hagel (R - Neb.).
Biden explains his bill as addressing the problems of climate change, which has been linked by many scientists to the use of fossil fuels. If the US can start developing nations on the path to clean energy early, he believes the environment could significantly benefit.
A skeptic of net neutrality
Some may take issue with Sen. Biden's past statements, which seem to indicate he doesn't believe there is a problem with net neutrality. This stance would appear to be in stark contrast with that of his running mate.
Sen. Obama has said that legislation is needed to ensure that all traffic on the Internet is treated equally. In fact, the issue has become a part of Obama's platform: "Barack Obama supports the basic principle that network providers should not be allowed to charge fees to privilege the content or applications of some Web sites and Internet applications over others," according to a statement on Obama's campaign site.
Biden does not seem to think that way. In fact, in a 2006 hearing on the subject, Biden questioned the need for pre-emptive measures when there was no evidence of any malfeasance by network operators occurring.
If everyone who felt their net neutrality rights were violated were given equal hearings, CNET's Anne Broache reported Biden to have said, "the chairman will be required to hold this meeting in this largest room in the Capitol, and there will be lines wandering all the way down to the White House."
Coming Thursday: BetaNews looks at the tech credentials of Sen. Obama.