Palin's Home State Last Frontier For Tech, TooPalin's Home State Last Frontier For Tech, Too

After U.S. Sen. John McCain chose Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate for the presidential campaign, I decided to look into her technology track record. I didn't come up with much.Then, I checked Alaska. Not much there, either.

Next, I searched for reports ranking states on technology.

That's when I found what could be one reason behind Palin's sparse track record on technology issues: Alaska ranks 44th in the union for fostering technology.

The Milken Institute's 2008 State Technology and Science Index used 77 indicators to judge how all 50 states rank in terms of technology. The indicators fall into five main categories: human capital investment, research and development funding, risk capital and entrepreneurial infrastructure, technology and science work force, and technology concentration and dynamism.

With Alaska ranking near rock bottom of the list, I won't expect much in terms of technology initiatives or ideas from Palin. Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised.

However, with McCain's admission that he doesn't use the Web, e-mail, or computers, I'm thinking the Republican ticket could overlook the important tech issues of the day.

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, on the other hand, revealed a comprehensive technology policy agenda. It touched on all of the industry's hot policy topics, including intellectual property, patent reform, and network neutrality.

I won't comment on the soundness of his policies, but I will say I found it encouraging that a candidate seemed focused on the industry that butters my bread.

To be fair, I'm not sure that the most tech-savvy candidate will make the best president, and I'm sure that Republicans' economic policies, like giving businesses tax breaks, will reach the tech world.

Still, it's also ironic that a state with the motto "North to the Future" ranks so low.

And, as someone who follows the technology industry and related political issues, it's disappointing to see a modern-day slate with so little apparent interest or expertise in this realm.

If the GOP wins, I'll have my fingers crossed for some tech-savvy advisers.