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Forget Albatross, Young Earth Creationism is straight-up the noose being used to string-up political conservatism to the entire (<30) web-generation. Crap guilt-by-association or no, if political conservatives do not rally together to disassociate themselves from these nuts soon (ideally before the next election), there is going to exist an entire generation in this country who associates ANY Republican, no matter how noble, with Young-Earth Creationist Anti-Rationalism.

While I don't think creationism is the crux, I sure do agree with your broader point. We simply can't be the stupid party -- proud (if sometimes perversely proud) of the mediocrities that we too often hold up as leaders. We just can't have any more it: the actually stupid (far too many second-tier Bush functionaries and Republican members of Congress), the stereotypical dumb jock (another common variety), the slow and inarticulate if not exactly dumb (Bush himself), or (sadly) even the Palin types: street smart, sharp at a tack, but painfully undereducated. (If Palin can educate herself, though, watch out!)

While it may have seemed like for a bit, I think the American people have gotten wise to the notion of a politician who is "one of us." When it was their health on the line, they wouldn't pick a doctor that way. When it was their freedom or wealth on the line, they wouldn't pick a lawyer that way. And when it's their stake in the public welfare, they aren't going to pick a politician that way.

At the end of the day, conservatives have the better ideas and the more thoughtful intellectuals and should be and be proud to be a party led by people who have same quantum of smarts -- and in all likelihood the same mix of educational and professional backgrounds -- as the people who are called to lead in every other important vocation in this country.