McCain: Waffling on Creationism, Loses Me

Virtually anyone who has spent five and a half years as a prisoner of war earns my default endorsement as a worthy leader. Until recently, it was nearly impossible for my generation to fathom being held indefinitely without charge and tortured. (Guantanamo has provided a current, vivid reminder.) I have undying respect for anyone who survived such an ordeal, let alone to come back and dedicate their lives to public service. John McCain is no exception to this rule.

As such, when I was invited to a fundraiser for him to be held over the weekend, my initial reaction was to attend. However, recently, the legislative dynamo who we grew to love for his fierce independence and willingness to break from Republican orthodoxy, has seemingly fallen right back into the party fold and is reading from the Rove-approved messaging. The New York Times has noticed and featured a piece yesterday about how McCain has grown notably closer to Dubya and his platform.

Case in point - at the Fortune Brainstorm conference in Aspen, I watched a concerned audience member question McCain's position on teaching creationism in public schools. From the Fortune Brainstorm blog:

QUESTION: [What's your stance on teaching creationism in schools?]
MCCAIN: I think that students should be exposed to every theory and every thought that we can...I don't like communism, but I think students should be exposed to communism.... There are people that believe this is the the way the earth was created. I'm not saying it should be forced on them, but I don't get this dispute....
QUESTION: But in science class?
MCCAIN: I'm not on the schoool board. I'd let them decide that. One of our fundamental beliefs is local control...

The room audibly groaned. McCain's attempted distinction between teaching creationism in sceince classes as another scientific explanation for the existence of man, and the exploration of alternative political ideologies in a social studies or history survey fell completely short on this audience. This wasn't a political rally, after all. These were sharp folks who were here to dive deeply into these issues. Spin and faulty analogy found no purchase with these listeners.

I was really disappointed. I am often able to look past superficial Republican platitudes about the importance of family and flags. However, to turn such an evangelically blind eye to the hard, empirical truth of evolution and its vital role as a tenet of scientific education was inexcusable.

That said, it appears I was not the only one who was let down. Two private Aspen fundraisers later, McCain gave a public talk here and, according to the Aspen Times, was once again questioned regarding his creationism stance:

MCCAIN: I think Americans should be exposed to every point of view. I happen to believe in evolution. ... I respect those who think the world was created in seven days. Should it be taught as a science class? Probably not.

I guess money still talks. . .

Comments

[PaulSweeney]

"Spin spin, whiskey and gin, I got magic mushrooms growing in my yard", (Lloyd Coyle and The Commotions).

[Brandon]

We all want our Republicans to be like the ones on the West Wing.

In reality, the religious right is sapping every good thing about the Repbulican party out of it, leaving behind only zealots.

[baris]

Chris,
McCain's comments are very disappointing indeed. To lighten up about this sad subject of creationism, take a look at The Sopranos' take on it. Check it out here:
http://baris.typepad.com/time_to_laugh/2006/06/sopranos_take_o_1.html

P.S. Great blog.

[Chsae McDonald]

Dr. Ron Paul is honest and speaks for himself, not money.

[Racel]

[url= http://ryno.krovatka.su ]сиськи[/url]

[abercrombie uk]

Well said, such a person should be a good sentence, or the future will be more rampant.

[George]

He's really not that independent from anything - no politician is. He just uses body language to convey the message at the time that he wants, but he is still a hero, and I believe he does try to use his power for good.

[new balance]

It is no use doing what you like,you have got to like what you do.Do you think so?

[abercrombie & fitch london]

I read this sentence out loud to a group of engineers from my team at lunch the other day and they cracked up like I did.
It touched off such a wave of nostalgia for the first machines we all used and when we first discovered the Internet. We all felt so old and yet so lucky.

[ed hardy uk]

Looks cool but I felt they have shown little too much in the trailer

[abercrombie]

Notice that the Chinese know how to do a stimulus package, while no one in power seems to know how to do a stimulus package here in the US.

[abercrombie]

talk about Oregon. It had a rhythm that kept me focused and didn't allow me to go numb at any point.1

[hollister clothing]

Caution to readers: do not confuse the tactics of a rookie like Saddam with an experienced gesticulator like1

[Impotence causes]

Sometimes we humans do not appreciate the true importance of good reading, especially me I have the habit of reading every night before bed, helps me achieve sleep, I feel that reading can help the successful development and learning new things, congratulations, I hope you keep writing and making new contributions.

[christian louboutin]

*And you know, become friends, I was most happy.

[air jordans]

Here, here Conrad. It would be a brave thing if more men had the courage to stand up for their women. I sure wouldn't mind the help. Its a difficult decision though because it could turn a pleasent afternoon for you into a black eye.

[belstaff bag 556]

Wow, the eBook is incredibly helpful. Having just started my own blog and consulting services I have a long to-do list. Thanks for the post!