Why do GOP candidates keep stumbling on evolution?

wahingtonexaminer ^ | Feb. 14, 2015 | Byron York

[PROCON]

Scott Walker stumbled on it during a trip to London. He and the rest of the 2016 Republican presidential field will face it repeatedly in the months ahead. So it would probably be best if GOP candidates prepared a quick and clear answer to the question, 'Do you believe in evolution?' They'll have to use it a lot.

If they are like most Americans, Republican candidates believe God has guided the creation of the Earth and its inhabitants. That alone is enough to craft an answer that will both represent their beliefs and work in a campaign.

The Gallup polling organization has done surveys about evolution for years. They ask this question:

Which of the following statements comes closest to your views on the origin and development of human beings: 1) Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God guided this process; 2) Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God had no part in this process; or 3) God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so.

In the most recent poll, done in May 2014, a plurality, 42 percent, said God created humans in their present form, while 31 percent said humans evolved with God's guidance. Just 19 percent said humans evolved with God playing no part in the process, and 8 percent had no opinion.

[GraceG]

Reporter: Do you Believe in Evolution?

Me: Believe in Evolution? Are you trying to insinuate that science is a matter of belief and NOT fact based on observation?

[shortstop]

"Which of the following statements comes closest to your views on the origin and development of human beings: 1) Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God guided this process; 2) Human beings have developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God had no part in this process; or 3) God created human beings pretty much in their present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so."

Proper response: I don't know because I wasn't there. Why not ask John McCain who probably was there?

[Moonman62]

Why is it only GOP candidates get gotcha questions?

[PROCON]

You've been here long enough to know :-)

Oh, that was a rhetorical question.

[SunkenCiv]

Why do the Partisan Media Shills keep bringing up something so obviously irrelevant to lawmaking and governance? Because it's illegal to kill them.

[Regal]

“Either you believe The Creator, or you create your own fiction. “
___________

I believe that science is one of God’s gifts to us. Darwin’s work has been built upon in many fields. Why do GOP candidates feel they are stepping toes when they say they accept Evolution? I have no idea, but this should be a one second answer not one week of video “gotcha”. This is a non-issue.

[Lakeshark]

I saw the response, there was no stumble, it was a fine answer. Given more time he might have made a perfect answer, as could many of us.

Why Byron York thinks he stumbled is a mystery to me......actually, it's shameful that he thought he should write about it that way.

The conservative circular firing squad at work.

[Mike Darancette]

Q: What is your position on evolution?
A: It is a good idea.

[Joe 6-pack]

"Why is it only GOP candidates get gotcha questions?"

Love or hate Rick Santorum, he does tend to handle these types of 'gotcha' questions rather well (faith/evolution/abortion etc.) While I don't agree with him on everything, his responses to these types of questions tend to turn things back on the interviewer and other pubbies would do well to study his replies (or consult him).

[Joan Kerrey]

Ladies and gentlemen. I appreciate this opportunity to answer your questions. I want to be completely transparent so please limit your questions to those same questions allowed by our most transparent President in history, President Obama. Naturally I won’t expect to be asked any questions that were not asked of the President.

[Zathras]

Walker didn’t do too bad but the answer should always be the same.
A: “So when did you stop beating your wife?”

[OldNavyVet]

The belief in evolution belongs in church. It is an article of faith, nothing more.

My dictionary defines "faith" in several ways ... The first and foremost definition is ...

1. Unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence.

The facts surrounding evolution are overwhelmingly multiple and based in evidence.

Try looking at some factual evidence about evolution in

http://sunsetridgemsbiology.wikispaces.com/file/view/Darwins+Ghost.pdf

Happy reading.

[Starboard]

The left wing press is never going to like or be fair with Republicans. That’s just an enduring fact. So they need to accept that reality and just go on the offensive against the smarmy jackals in the media. Pubbies need to stop being punching bags and fight back.

Your enemy will never like you but you can make them respect you if they know you’ll fire back at them. The media are bullies and need to be treated the same way you deal with all bullies. Push back hard.

[Hugh the Scot]

Since we’re in Matthew, wouldn’t 5:37 also be relevant?

[Star Traveler]

I would do like Jesus and talk to them in parables ... :-) ...