Also, I do not think "the public" really cares all that much about it.
The public is aware of the importance of science, and how it is essential to making our lives livable. Becoming associated with the enemies of science (i.e. intelligent design "theorists") will be the political kiss of death in the long run.
No, quite the opposite. Intelligent design is irrational, and that is why it will sink us in the end. Reason will prevail eventually.
The ultimate promise of bioscience is perfect health in perpetual youth. Even if it's not overtly acknowledged, that is always whispering just beneath the surface. You don't think "the public" will care about that??
You are right; however, only as long as it stays on the fringe and out of sight/out of mind, if it becomes a big issue we will be burned by it.
Look what happened in Kansas the 1st time they tried this §¶ back in 1999, the Democrats ran against the Republican school board members on a pro-evolution platform and won. It was only this year that the Republicans regained control and apparently they haven't learned.
So if this mythology posing as science doesn't fly in Kansas it's certainly not going fly in the rest of the country.
How many blue states do you think we will turn with this BS? You can most certainly forget about ever getting Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire or Wisconsin back to our side.
Meanwhile we will probably end up losing Colorado & Nevada and possibly Florida and Ohio.
You have to care a bit if you have kids in a public school.
I don't fortunately.