The finest moment for science, in Obama's speech, came quite a bit after his declaration, "we will restore science to its rightful place."

The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end.

Ideas, programs, beliefs are tested by experiment. That's the end and all to science.

Any leader who insists on having his or her actions tested, having acts judged as working or not, embraces the deepest and most powerful ideal of science. He or she cannot help but set us on a course to succes.

(Continuing evidence? Stephen Chu, Obama's Nobel Laureate choice for Energy Secretary, made one more scientific breakthrough in physics before going to join the administration.)