Here's a figure you might be able to use, from this op-ed column:
Last year, a report from the National Academies' Committee on Prospering in the Global Economy of the 21st Century showed us a glimpse of the future. Of all the patent applications reaching the U.S. Patent Office, the report noted, the most by far still come from the United States. However, from 1989 to 2001, the rate of increase of patent applications from the world's fastest-growing economies, such as China and India, was nearly three times that of the United States. By that measure, innovation in those economies will blow past ours in little more than a decade — just about the time the current classes of high school biology students will be starting their research careers.
Fear Of China, much as I hate to say it, is an easy frame for soundbites.
I also think using Ben Franklin as an iconic figure would help, with the inventions and the electric kites and all. By "use as an iconic figure," I mean merely use his name in a comment, particularly if you can contrast his time and our time. People know Ben Franklin.
But OK, let's look at the first thing you said: I'd like to fit something about the scientific method being the best tool we have for accurately predicting the ramifications of policy - but am having a hard time making it compelling.
This *seems* a little too out-there for soundbite-land in its current form. I think what you might try doing is establishing something like "scientific method = common sense" and then "common sense = good research, but also good policy." Personally, I'd even want to have my subject say something about lifestyle & society, since more people will respond to better standard-of-living than to something as abstract as "policy."
Concrete examples are compelling. Abstractions aren't.
"The scientific method is just common sense -- it's coming with an idea about how something works and then testing it.
"What I'd like to see is more common sense in government and in our daily lives. Common sense is what made our country the leader of the free world.
"Ben Franklin understood that when he discovered electricity -- but I don't think Ben Franklin would even recognize what's happening in America today."
Something like that. It can be stated better.
Oh, and that's another thing. I have no idea how local your local media are, but if they're at all worth their salt as reporters, their job is to try to get you to say something that fits the story they already have outlined in their heads. The way politicians get around this is by refusing to answer yes or no statements except by repeating their talking points. That's why they sound so blowhardy so much of the time -- self-preservation. It's a strategy to keep in mind, although you do run the risk of appearing to be a moron unless you're talented at paraphrasing yourself.
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