The Texas governor was responding to a question from a little boy in New Hampshire, who was prompted by his mother to ask the Republican candidate about the age of the Earth and evolution.
“I hear your mom was asking about evolution,” Perry said today. “That’s a theory that is out there — and it’s got some gaps in it.”
Perry then told the boy: “In Texas, we teach both creationism and evolution [the former is actually not part of the Texas curriculum]. I figure you’re smart enough to figure out which one is right.”
A perfectly good answer to any question about evolution would have been “I’m running for president, and my views on the matter are irrelevant, because I think education should be left to state and local authorities.” Instead, Perry has disqualified himself from winning the non-ignoramus vote. Unfortunately, the ignoramus vote is quite substantial.