Intelligent Design is not the same as Creationism. It is a thesis, which can be put forward and argued for or against just like any other thesis.
Mostly it relies on statistical probability to demonstrate that a general theory of evolution is improbable because it has astronomically large statistical odds against it.
Some Darwinians have recognized that these are legitimate objections to a general theory of evolution, and have retorted with the theory that there are an infinite number of universes, and ours just happens to be the one where evolution worked. If I may say so, that’s not a very persusasive answer. A thesis, yes, and they are welcome to argue it; but it’s not very persuasive. The problem is that a reasonable thesis has to be capable of disproof, and that one certainly isn’t.
As a Catholic, I agree with you that evolution and divine creation as described in the Bible CAN be compatible. But strict evolutionists won’t allow that, either—or the view that perhaps there IS general evolution, but guided by God. Neither that nor any other view except strict atheist Darwinism is permitted in the public schools and in practice most universities, where contrary arguments are usually answered by refusal of tenure.
FreeRepublic is a strange little world in which a very vocal, fundamentalist fringe gathers along with more traditional conservatives. It is the mirror image of DU with its overrepresentation of far-left, socialist Democrats. It is NOT representative of most Republicans.
The vast majority of Republicans are capable of believing in both God and evolution.