[js1138]

I think Bush was trying to straddle the fence. This is one of those issues that the democrats are trying to use to divide Republicans, and it appears to be a successful strategy. It's almost like the Discovery Institute is being funded by the DNC. Science goes where it goes. It's an entirely materalistic enterprize, and always will be. The ID issue is stupid on so many counts. The main proponents of ID accept common descent and a 4.5 billion year old earth. What do fundamentalists have to gain by pushing ID? It's a lose lose proposition.

On one hand they are asserting that religion should submit to the tests of scientific materialism. On the other hand they are splitting a political coalition that elects Republicans.

[rootkidslim]

I share your fear of the coalition being slit, that would be a political tragedy for our nation. There is also a battle for perceptions of the conservative cause in the minds of the electorate. The swing voters in the middle would vote Democrat in many elections if they become convinced that their kids will be force fed creationism if they don't strike back at the ballot box.