Why just a show of hands? So they would not have to speak the words out loud that show how ignorant and backward these guys are? I guess the fossil record is really just an evil plot by Satan to confuse and mislead. These are the people who want to run the country??

The last thing this country needs, especially after the disastrous eight years of the Bush administration, is a creationist whacko. The moderator should have asked them a follow-up: Raise your hands if you believe in Santa Claus. The Tooth Fairy?

Why not ask the question, "Who here does NOT believe in science?" Might get a better, and more thorough, response. I just amazes me that so many people trust in science in so many ways that affect their lives, and trust the history and methodology of science, but refuse to even acknowledge that that same science is just plain wrong on this one issue, and that no discussion is even possible. Oh, well. Whatcha gonna do? It's like my Mother always says, "Everyone to their own damn poor opinion...."!

A Crow pooped them on a fencepost, and the Sun hatched them. And that, unbelievers, is the way Intelligent Design is meant to work.

Who cares if they believe in evolution or not? I would bet the ranch that if a question was asked of the democrats whether they believed in the foolish notion of human caused global warming all would say yes.

What century were these three born in? And they wonder why America's Math and Science rankings are falling . . .

Of course, we should not forget that John McCain did believe in evolution, but then he didn't (which pretty much sums him up). It's obvious that God has complete mismanaged the entire creation/evolution thing, so we need McCain to take control. He's running for the wrong job. Maybe he has a Plan B for God. It's beginning to look like we need to start over.

These men are why either being a Republican will one day be mandatory or being a Republican will mean that you have a bounty on your head. I am betting on the later unless the next election is also rigged and/or Bush declares martial law. Then I am betting on open season on Republicans -- the Thomas Jefferson kind of open season. As one of these half-wits already said, a vote for Democrats means the terrorists win . . . there is a corollary to that - a vote for Republicans ensures a fascist authoritarian dictatorship and an eventual certain bloody and violent revolution as a result. Count on it.

brownback, tancredo and huckabee. [sounds like a bad law firm.]

Jesus told them to regulate the womb while chemically bombing defenseless women and children to steal their oil. Jesus told them to hang Saddam for murdering Kurdish women and children with gas and apaches we sold him while praising Bush and Cheney for murdering Fallujah women and children twice with white phosphorous just before Christmas in 2003 and 2004. Why can't these barbarians just die and give Junior Oil Boy his prize. We're Americans for Christ sake!! Have a nice day!

Jesus told them to regulate the womb while chemically bombing defenseless women and children to steal their oil. Jesus told them to hang Saddam for murdering Kurdish women and children with gas and apaches we sold him while praising Bush and Cheney for murdering Fallujah women and children twice with white phosphorous just before Christmas in 2003 and 2004. Why can't these barbarians just die and give Junior Oil Boy his prize. We're Americans for Christ sake!! Have a nice day!

Larry SC - Well I see you are back to attacking me via name calling and mud slinging without provocation; just as George W. Bush did in Iraq by attacking a sovereign nation without provocation, you attack me. I was thoughtful in my response to you, even though your initial post was unkind to me. I refrained from name calling, yet you resorted to the mindset of a schoolyard bully once again. Larry, there is absolutely no hope for someone like yourself, so full of hate and rage, in addition to your deep-rooted personal feelings of utter contempt for women. I feel sorry for your soul and your hatred permeates every cell within your body. You must have been treated badly by some woman as a child, as it’s the only reason or excuse I can think of for such detestation and loathing of women collectively.

Looks like Brownback, Tancredo and Huckabee may be correct to dismiss Darwinism. After watching the debate, it seems that 10 of America's wealthiest, most educated elites never made it over that evolutionary hump.

In a poll published by CBS in 2005, 51% of Americans said God created humans in present form while 30% believed humans evolved with God's guidance. Only 10% said humans evolved only. So based on this poll, a majority of the Republican Presidential Condidates are not part of the American mainstream in regards to this issue. I wonder how the Democrat candidates would compare?

Anyone who doesn't believe in evolution doesn't understand science as a whole and either does not have the capasity to think or simply refuses to. It is embarrassing to live in a country where our leaders have such closed minds and are so insecure in thier religous beliefs that they refuse to think. There is nothing in the theory of evolution that precludes the existance of God. Science is not an attack on religion. Why do the so called religous have a need to attack science. Anyone who doesn't believe in evolution is stupid!

Not even in the ballpark.

Keith; Please do not associate yourself with another one of these convoluted Presidential debates. Chris Matthews is good on "Hardball", but tell him not to give up his day job. Same for Brian Williams. These guys think this is a nightly broadcast. We can do without the titilatting questions. I did not realize that Bill Clinton was running for anything. Politico.com is also guilty, "Have you seen Al Gore's movie? Is he running for office? Is there not a qualified moderator in the house? Geez.

Who is that on the far right-I can't tell who it is, but it waited to see who raised their hands before he did. Hah!

Well, there's three I will not even be considering right there...

Well somebody's gotta start. not accepting evolution is like not accepting gravity, Special and General Relativity, the existence of other worlds, elctricity, physics, chemistry, medicine, or science in general. Evolution is THE CENTRAL STONE of modern biology. Everything we know in Biology today comes from it. Like it or not people. Evolution is a fact, not a theory. True there are gaps in knowledge, and evolution does not lend itself to crisp experimentation as other theories do. That said it's credibility is still patently obvious to anyone without a doctrinal axe to grind. As a democrat I'm not going to vote for any of the Republicans anyway but I willl certainly avoid those three

I'm sorry. What a person believes about evolution is a personal issue and should be left out of the debate. The one question I would have liked to hear was this. "If elected President what will you do to secure the right of Americans to practice birth control by means of contraceptives, vasectomies and other surgical techniques?" Even the casual observer knows that there is a move to inhibit any form of birth control. It seems to me that every one of the candidates in the Republican Party do not want that question asked. So again, I say get real, forget about evolution and focus on the issues that will affect every person's daily life.

The question was a non sequitur and the candidate who recognized THAT should be given the nomination on a silver platter.

This was the key moment in the debate as far as I'm concerned. It automatically disqualifies these three bozos in my opinion. Take a look at any dog, did God create them? No, stupid. Humans (or their environment) selectively bred them, originally from wolves (i.e. evolution) to fit their needs. Can you believe these guys may actually be dumber than Bush?

Bill in Rochester...I know you mean well. But the theory of evolution is supported by a wealth of evidence (facts); and hence it is elevated to "theory" in the scientific sense. "Fact" and "theory" are terms that are misused and abused by the media and people in general because they don't know the definitions of either. And Steve in Utah, I think this (evolution) is an extremely important question to ask these candidates as potential Leader of the (Free) World. The answer is a barometer to how they view the world, and that view will determine how they support education and science if elected. With the present administration in charge, one that does not accept modern biology (evolutionary theory) or stem cell research, or the preponderance of evidence for global climate change and the reasons behind these ideas, and instead accepts faith-based explanations, it is no wonder the U.S. has slipped to 17th in the world in technological leadership, and that most Americans do not know how science is done: a colossal failure of our educational system. Although I agree that Chris Matthews is better at hardball than at serious political debate, this was an important question to ask, and I'm glad he did. I am glad Keith was there for the analysis. It lent an air of serious articulation to the "debate".

hear hear! let's get evolution out of this, or any other debate. and i agree about moderators. let's get brian lamb from c-span to do it. he could make world war 3 un-sensational. I'm surprised the candidates even had a chance to talk over matthews yammering.

While the question probably was unnecessary and trivial, but for me it served the function of distinguishing who among the 10 actually gives a damn about real science.

In a survey by the journal, Science, in 2006, when Americans were presented with the question “Did humans develop from earlier species of animals?” 60% of Americans said that they did NOT believe in evolution. While 80% or more of the people in Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, Japan, and England said that they accept the science of evolution. Of the thirty-four civilized countries surveyed, only a Muslim country, Turkey, was less likely to believe in evolution than America. Once again Bushworld is lagging behind the learning curve, retreating back to the dark ages. Hell, the survey revealed that even Slovenia, Croatia, Romania, and Estonia know evolution is real!

I was thinking that we should add a requirement to the presidential process - that each candidate should take an IQ test on their way to collecting the necessary nomination paper signatures. Anyone scoring less than 120 or 140 should be automatically excluded. I’m sure that that wouldn’t pass as it would eliminate the entire batch of Republican, and all but a few of the Democratic, candidates.

I've said before on other blogs that the mere thought of a President Brownback is enough for me to want to renounce my American citizenship. It's bad enough I'm forced - thanks to some not-so-ethical campaigning in 2004 - to call this man Senator. Also, as evidenced by what's going on here, creationists and politics are a very volatile mix that just screws everything up for everyone, especially school kids.

Susan Western Ky While the belief in evolution may be important to some, I am more concerned about the erosian of personal liberties than I am in a debate over the origin of life. I may be part of the minority, but I can still remember when the right to use birth control methods were determined by the state. Sometimes I think some of these arguments are nothing more than a smoke screen to get our attention off of the things that can infringe on personal lives.

To those of you who want to use the evolution issue as a litmus test for the republican candidates, I am wondering why you seem to be giving McCain a free pass for trying to have it both ways -- I believe it, but I don't believe it. To me, that kind of calculating answer is much worse than an honest "I don't believe." Dose guys is merely ignorant. McCain is something else. He applies this same "doublespeak" to the war, where he tries to embrace both positions: The war was a good idea but just poorly executed. And I'm sure the new plan will work, but if it doesn't, I'm exactly the right person to fix it. Even though I currently don't have a Plan B because the new plan is exactly what we need. I'm getting dizzy.

i agree with you mike - brownback, or any of those wacky kansans... scare me.... but JW, i dont know if an iq test will help.......well, it will if your name is Bush...because those chinless inbreds are retarded from jump street. I'm an old leftie, etc.........and bill clinton is reported to have an iq in excess of 140. he's a rhodes scholar. he has tremendous charm. yet in being unable to keep his zipper up, he fell into the trap these neanderthal [sorry, if i've insulted any neanderthals] gop-neocon thugs laid for him. so, maybe its a little bit IQ, a little bit machiavelli, and a little bit PT Barnum. and good hair.

Precisely, Susan - Western KY. What most people don't realize is that while they are tippy typing on their computer like Steve in Utah to rebut the importance of a THEORY, they are taking advantage of the THEORY of Electromagnetisim that engineers used to crate computers. Or that while they set their coffee cup on their desk they are utulizing the THEORY of Relativity by assuming that the cup won't go flying off into space. And yes, the THEORY of evolution is just as well supported and well explained. THEORY in science essentially means FACT. LAWS of science are things like gravity that seem to happen the same way every single time, but that we don't know WHY. THEORIES are the explinations for the LAWS that we see occur every day. THEORIES are rigiously tested and challenged and if it maintains its THEORY status, then it has yet to be disproven. Silly neocons. If people like Steve don't want to believe in the solidity of THEORIES then please they can feel free to reject all the other THEORIES that they rely on evey single day and go flying off into space. After all, I prefer to refuse to believe in the Theory of their existence.

The reason the evolution question is important is because it is the same people who don't believe in evolution that practice social darwinism. They believe that because they have succeeded in gaining power they get to dictate reproductive choices.

Thanks to Crooks and Liars for tracking down that important (for me) moment in the debate. It was the one jaw dropping moment in the entire debate. That three such educated and important people could deny the existence of a basic tenet of science stunned me. I just wished that MSNBC had not had such a weird camera angle when the asked the question, and perhaps lingered on the moment a little longer to see if any other hesitant hands went up.

I am also concerned about the erosion of personal liberties, I don't need 'big brother' to make my medical decisions for me, thank you very much. I also am concerned about the erosion of habeas corpus, without which we might as well be living in a totalitarian state. I'm very concerned that over 50% of the American public, when polled, believe in creationism vs evolution. This only illustrates the point that we need a leader who deals in facts, and ethics and morals, not just faith. One who was educated (and actually learned while they were there), one who values math and science as well as reading and writing. I don't care which party the next president is from, as long as s/he has much respect for ALL Americans so that we can equally respect him/her. For now, I'm counting the days until W is gone.

Bill Wertman, Baltimore, MD - Thank you Bill, and WOW - did you "give Larry- SC his lunch"!! KUDOS!! We all make mistakes, and say things we regret, myself included certainly. It is those of "us" who can admit error, apologize and move on, who demonstrate "real" character. You sir have, and I thank you.

The three candidates that said they do not believe in evolution, I believe they were Messrs. Huckabee, Tancredo, and Brownback, are dangerous to the Republic. Evolution is not a belief but a fact. Either you believe in science or not; one does not get to pick and choose. The theory of gravity, electromagnetic radiation, and evolution are all on the same flat playing field. St. Augustine warned about taking Genesis too literally. His advice is as good today as in the early 400s. Holding irrational beliefs based on religious conviction is of a kind with islamofascism; it is just that their list of irrational beliefs is much longer and more imminently threatening. Poor science or no science is the surest way to guarantee America’s decline as a world leader in creating and promoting new industries.

Todd:I most certainly will not.You people are paranoid.There will be no ''martial law'',no ''camps'',no ''fascism''no nothing on the portion of Bush.[bear in mind that according to the propeller-heads,there wasen't even supposed to BE a midterm election back in 05-06].What ''fascism''there will be,will eminate from true religious totalitarians taking advantage of liberal PC social and political environments.Think i'm wrong?Look to the closest international relative America has,Great Britain,and witness what nearly two decades of unbridled,unchecked Islamic immigration has brought them.MI5 has identified over 2000-3000 suspected jihadists in the southern portion of England alone,borne of the refusal of the government to keep tabs on what is being taught in their churches,their schools and their neighborhoods. The beginnings of true totalitarianism start when people allow for first small demands,then ever greater ones backed by grieviance''theater'' in order to bring liberal PC forces in on their behalf that claim to represent the virtues of ''tolerance''.[tolerance,however,that they will not mete out to others].As way of thanks,London was bombed once killing dozens,and just broke up a monstrous plot to kill thousands more.The sheer numbers of these people has rendered MI5,and Metro police nearly helpless[''uncover one warren,and four more pop up''said one worried cop], and placed them into the defensive stance that Guliani alluded to in a recent speech.As a portion of this defensive mode,nothing must be done to cause resentment.In public schools across England,all mention of the Crusades and worst,the Holocaust,is being quietly dropped from curricula for fear of ''offending''Muslims.Over in this nation,it reaches ridiculous levels.A gradeschooler inadvertantly leaves a ham sandwich next to Muslim children in a school cafeteria and all PC hell breaks loose.Muslim cabdrivers refuse to transport the blind with seeing-eye dogs or those with alcohol.A pack of Imams seek to sue airline ''John Does''whose only desire is to stop another 9/11.Muslims demand separate facilities even at state expense.Todays New York Times report from Annan,Jordan interviews a jihadist whose goal,after expelling the Americans from Iraq,is to attack any nation''where Islam is threatened''.Here is where totalitarianism begins.Not in the fantasies of Bush critics.Get ready.Its going to be a rocky ride.

It's frightening to even imagine if this news had broken yesterday or prior to the "Debate Amongst Medieval Thinking Morons" last night!! "BANGKOK, Thailand - Described as a road map for curbing global warming, a report was approved Friday by delegates from 120 countries that lays out what they said was an affordable arsenal of tools that must be rushed into place to avert a disastrous spike in temperatures."

scott henderson nv- I just KNEW you would get around to your absurd global warming beliefs!! To use a word you have most recently been throwing around and most likely learned in one of your FRESHMAN high school classes recently, George W. Bush's photo should be next to the word "hyperbolic" in the dictionary!! His photo should also be next to the words corrupt, criminal, liar, deception, degenerate, depraved, evil, fraud, hypocrite, immoral, scandalous, and wicked!! Wake up NEVADA!! Or do you enjoy thinking lin terms of medieval times? Are you studying this period in school Scott??

Doesn't the Bible prove evolution. After the flood only Noah and his Family survived. If we didn't evolve we would all look like Osama.No the republicans do not believe there are White people or black or rd we all look like Noah.

Scratch three non-Guinness-drinkers (Messrs. Throwback, BadCredo and Wannabe). Now if we could just eliminate the Kool-aid drinkers?

Bonnie in Madison - you make such a good point. There are some things that simply defy answers let alone legislation: abortion, discrimination and reverse discrimination, euthanasia....there is only so much we can do to find common ground. The first thing we can do is to eliminate federal meddling. Because there is no perfect answer, Giuliani (I'm not a repub, so I don't care about him) has it right. You have to leave it to the States. It's an imperfect solution, like so much in life is, but in this country we can only leave it up to THE PEOPLE to take action (whatever that action is) in the States that uphold their particular beliefs. And the Feds should not reward or penalize States based on those choices. The Feds should BUTT OUT and concentrate on what they are constitutionally required to legislate, mainly defense, business watchdogging, and infrastructure.

Lee - You, as usual, are not seeing the forest for the trees. When you sacrifice the Constitution, which is what your boys are doing, the "enemy" already won. Habeas corpus went on vacation courtesy of Bush and Gonzales. You should look into a little publicized addition to the Patriot Act that makes it frighteningly easy for Bush to suspend posse commatatus and domestically deploy the National Guard - the first step in setting up marital law is being able to put the soldiers where you want. The only thing stopping him now is he is too stupid to realize he is going to prison if he doesn't - he honestly thinks he has everyone fooled. But you keep sticking your head in the sand, buddy. You chose your side. And with your head in the sand, remember that no one is covering your ass. Be sure to enjoy your National ID card, soon available in RFID magnetic ink tattoo formats for your governments convenience (Must be on display at all times!). I am sure you will be first in line for your natty Mark of the Beast. And paranoid? No, not really, just paying attention. Sleep tight. I hear they have soft sheets in the Land of Denial.

Are these three Neanderthals trying to pass themselves off as Cro-magnon again? Well, they kind of look like us but as soon as they open their collective pie-holes you can tell they're from a different species altogether. Damn, seems to be alot of them left around since that last thaw!! Naturally they all want to be in charge, but we've just seen what their kind can do in high places here recently and NO THANKS!! Maybe kept in a research facility under close scrutiny, just to see what makes them tick. In any event, under no circumstances should we ever let these creatures run loose without supervision, leaving a trail of mayhem and destruction in their wake. DON'T VOTE REPUBLICAN!!!

http://www.i-sis.org.uk/BeyondCentralDogmaofPhysics.php Please read this paper on quantum physics and evolution. It will blow your little minds - that is those of you who DO NOT believe in evolution.

Crikey, it was ONE school in the north of England-not an entire nation. Look it up!

This is survival of the fittest at its finest. The moderator just weeded out the three candidates who are unable to pick up a science book and educate themselves. Their stupidity in the field of science will carry over to their politics as well. As an independent voter, another three bite the dust.

Neanderthals trying to pass as Homo Sapiens ---- what do you expect? Unfortunately we've seen what they can do when elected. The world is waiting for the USA to return to the 21st century and once again offer leadership on pressing global issues (war is a solution to what?) - the democrats need to keep moving forward at all costs.

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