Wired's Nicholas Thompson has just posted a scorecard of how Barack Obama and John McCain measure up on some specific technology challenges and opportunities that are critical to the future of American innovation, but don't often get mentioned on the campaign trail. Nicholas assigns a letter grade to the candidates on five tech topics: broadband access and affordability, H1-B visas, investment in green technology, network neutrality, and wireless spectrum reform. So, how'd they rate?

First, a note. A nitpicker might argue that the Wired scorecard limits itself to five important but no means comprehensive tech areas. And they're five that you could say lean Obama's way, as they are areas geared towards direct government action -- not necessarily a conservative or Republican's natural strong suit. But with that out of the way, the ratings: Thompson ranks Obama ahead in broadband, green tech, and net neutrality while McCain tops Obama when it comes to H1-B visas for skilled foreign workers. The candidate's tie on spectrum reform.

Disagree with those assessment? Want to add new topic? Use the Reddit tools built into the scorecard to suggests new areas and rate others' submissions and comments.

Back during the primary season, we rated all the Republican and Democratic candidates, assessing them on their technology policy acumen and vision -- everything from elevating the role of tech inside the Beltway to recognizing the importance of interoperability to detailing the role of technology in education. By our scoring, McCain earned himself a C+ and Obama an A-.