Out of all the topics that are effecting Americans this year — the economy, jobs, health care to name a few — who knew that global warming and evolution would heat up the 2012 race?
As we mentioned yesterday, Perry told a young boy in New Hampshire, who asked about evolution after being prompted by his mother, his thoughts on what should be taught in schools. “Evolution is a theory that’s out there. It’s got some gaps in it but in Texas we teach both creationism and evolution because I figured you’re smart enough to figure out which one is right,” Perry said.
On Wednesday at a breakfast with New Hampshire voters, Perry stated, “I think we’re seeing almost weekly, or even daily, scientists that are coming forward and questioning the original idea that man-made global warming is what is causing the climate to change.”
So how much money would be devoted to global warming in a Perry presidency? “I don’t think from my perspective that I want America to be engaged in spending that much money on still a scientific theory that has not been proven and from my perspective is more and more being put into question,” Perry added at the breakfast.
This prompted his opponent, former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, to take his opinions to the twitter-sphere. “To be clear I believe in evolution and trust scientists on global warming. Call me crazy,” Huntsman tweeted Thursday. According to 140elect.com, a website which tracks twitter in the 2012 election, Huntsman’s tweet set a new record for GOP 2012 tweeting by gaining 3,600 retweets, making it the most retweeted tweet from a Republican candidate.
Not known to back down from a challenge, Rick Santorum called Huntsman’s bluff today on Andrea Mitchell Reports. “I’ll be the first one to take him up on his offer. I mean. I’ve been very clear the science just does not back up the issue of global warming. Does the climate change? Of course it does, it has for thousands of years….I’m glad Jon Huntsman buys that. I don’t and I don’t think most Americans do anymore,” said Santorum.
Let’s leave it up to the voters. Who is the crazy one?
Danielle Weisberg