New Orleans, Louisiana (CNN) – Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann explained her skepticism of evolution on Friday and said students should be taught the theory of intelligent design.
Bachmann, a congresswoman from Minnesota, also proposed a major overhaul of the nation’s education system and said state administrators should be able to decide how they spend money allocated to them by the federal government.
"I support intelligent design," Bachmann told reporters in New Orleans following her speech to the Republican Leadership Conference. "What I support is putting all science on the table and then letting students decide. I don't think it's a good idea for government to come down on one side of scientific issue or another, when there is reasonable doubt on both sides."
Intelligent design suggests that the complexity of the universe cannot be explained by evolution alone, and must also be attributed to a creator or supernatural being.
"I would prefer that students have the ability to learn all aspects of an issue," Bachmann said. "And that's why I believe the federal government should not be involved in local education to the most minimal possible process."
Bachmann said educators should be granted the flexibility - and the money - to make curriculum decisions at the local level.
The federal government, she said, should "block grant all money currently that goes to the states back to the states, so that Louisiana can decide how they want to spend the money, which may in fact be different on how Minnesota spends its money."
She said her proposal would cut out "billions in dollars of bureaucracy" from the federal government.
From CNN Politics
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Extremist moron.
Schools should teach facts.
Please Lord, save us from this crusading moron!
Schools should also teach that the earth is flat. You know just in case we are wrong.
Right, because the GOP wants to brainwash kids into being conservatives, not teach them objective facts, historical record and science. Galileo is rolling over in his grave.
I think we should also teach that the sun goes around the earth and let the students decide.
And they should stop teaching gravity and mathmatics too!
Goodbye any chance now! Can't really argue against the laws of science, no matter what party you represent.
"What I support is putting all science on the table and then letting students decide. "...so in her administration the tail would wag the dog?
"I support intelligent design." How can she not see the irony in that statement?
And which religion's view shall we teach our kids? hmm? Why not have a class that touches on the more popular religions and thier beliefs as far as creation. This would give our children a perspective on the WORLD that we all live in. Else, keep your personal beliefs to yourself Michele.
Please no reglion in school.
I'm a teacher. Sorry. I will never teach intelligent design in my public classroom. Ever.
So Bachman supports "intelligent design" and not evolution so much? Perhaps she is still scratching her head over the issue of life on planet earth. Even though man has walked this planet for thousands of years, she thinks we're still trying to figure out where we came from? My question is how does someone create such a following with so little intelligence with the same lack there of?
Sad, and really scary.
So when the teachers decide its a good idea to teach children that there are all kinds of people in the world, black white gay straight european and asian.....will she still feel that way or will she return to her book burning days of being a racist herself.
...I think it's funny, not so funny. When people are so anti-science. But when there life is about to end, or they need medical science help. They, are all for it. I personally. believe in evolution. Prayers, and believing, that the Earth is flat. Can only get you so far.................................................
I am ashamed to say I am related to the bimbo Michelle Bachmann.
As usual, GOPs want the government to do everything for them. Anyone who wants to learn this nonsense can go to a church – it is not gov't role to support religion, let alone sheer fantasy which is what I.D. is.
OoooooKaaaaay. She should be taught something. ANYthing. Geeeez -– but then, her voice is not quite as irritating as the quitta from wasilla. IQs are about the same.
Uh -- reasonable -- beiing the key word.
Tooooooooo bad, bimbo.
Of course she's not close to a decision. She's gonna ride this free media publicity and million dollar bonanza gravy-train all the way to the bank. She has absolutely no intention of EVAR running for POTUS. Don't you media morons get it?
Intelligent Design and Creationism should not be taught in a science class. They should be taught in a class on religion. Bachmann's underlying agenda to push conservative Christian beliefs on all American students of all faiths and no faith must be resisted. Her argument that all science issues must be put before students rings hollow because Intelligent Design/Creationism is not science, but a religious belief system that requires faith and not the rigors of scientific proof.
Intelligent design is not a theory. It is an idea or an opinion, but to be called a theory it must pass certain tests. Please correct the article to reflect this.
An I thought Palin was an IDIOT. WOW.
This election cycle is probably her last gravy train, then the gig is over. Either run for office somewhere, or stop spending donations, contributions, and support money from people buying your merchandise for doing nothing by smiling, talking drivel, and waving to the crowds. Seriously...
Epic Fail! I bought some of her arguments, but doubting evolution (despite the overwhelming evidence, by the scientific supermajority) is just ignorant. And intelligent design is not science, it is a religious theory that is based on faith and not science.
Rep Bachmann should learn what science is....It is called "natural science" for a reason, i.e. science does not invoke supernatual explanations...On a scientific level, ALL of the evidence supports the concept of evolution...NONE of the evidence supports the intervention of a supernatural being..."Intelligent Design" proponents do not do well in the judicial system, where this issue has been litigated into oblivion...in courts of law, evidence , logic and truth are paramount..."Intelligent Design" comes out as a poorly disguised religious belief, NOT science...