NY Times Political Memo: Why Republicans keep telling everyone they're not scientists

[LiberalElite]

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/31/us/why-republicans-keep-telling-everyone-theyre-not-scientists.html?_r=0

-snip-
WASHINGTON — Gov. Rick Scott of Florida, a Republican who is fighting a Democratic challenge from former Gov. Charlie Crist, was asked by The Miami Herald if he believes climate change is significantly affecting the weather. “Well, I’m not a scientist,” he said.

Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who is locked in a tight re-election race, was asked this month by The Cincinnati Enquirer if he believes that climate change is a problem. “I’m not a scientist,” he said.

House Speaker John A. Boehner, when asked by reporters if climate change will play a role in the Republican agenda, came up with a now-familiar formulation. “I’m not qualified to debate the science over climate change,” he said.
-snip-

[Proud Liberal Dem]

1. They are trying to fool people into believing that they *might* be open-minded

about climate change without having to take a position- making them sort of "agnostic" about the subject. Of course, just because most of them are not gynpcologists doesn't mean that they will stop passing anti-abortion legislation.

[Frustratedlady]

2. How many years have they been saying that?

If they were truly concerned about the issue of climate change, they could have researched it by reading all the books available for their perusal, or they could have run searches on the Internet, or they could have had a sit-down with Al Gore and others who have been fighting for changes in that field.

So, since they obviously haven't tried any of the above, I'd have to come to the conclusion they aren't intelligent enough to understand any information they may have found/read or were given through conversations with experts.

In Boehner's case, that would have pulled away his time at the bar. McConnell has never let facts get in his way and neither would ever allow Obama to score on such an issue. So, the country/world suffers for their ignorance and jealousy.

We shouldn't even expect anything out of either, as they made it quite clear from Day 1 of Obama's 1st term that they would make sure Obama didn't get a 2nd.

[underpants]

5. It's fairly new. Smells of Frank Luntz.

Previously they said either that global warming was a myth or that there was no conclusive evidence yet.

See how they have shied away from gay marriage - it was a pillar if God, Guns, and Gays .... now it is what's the big fuss?

[calimary]

7. REEKS of frank luntz.

It IS a talking point that they have ALL received, probably in quadruplicate. Or more. I saw a soundbite of that nut bag joanie ernst smiling so harmlessly as she cocked her head to one side, disarmingly, as she will, and said "I'm not a scientist." OKAY THEN, SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP!!!!!

[malthaussen]

3. Because they're big fans of Star Trek?

"Dammit, Jim, I'm not a scientist -- I'm a doctor!"

Wait a second...

-- Mal

[Historic NY]

4. But they play Doctor.

[brooklynite]

6. Just a guess, but the the Republicans who keep arguing for tax cuts probably aren't economists...

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

8. It's easy: it absolves them from having to take a firm position. It pisses me off because the media

doesn't allow Democrats to get away from this bullshit!

Look at how they treated Allison Grimes. Look at how they treat ANY Democrat who has a nuanced stance on public policy?

Republicans seem to always get a break when they LIE or equivocate.