Huckabee Avoids Question on Creationism
GREER, S.C. – Mike Huckabee was asked today about his view on teaching creationism in schools but he dismissed the question saying, "We've answered that so many times, I don't even want to talk about it."
"Clearly a president would have leverage..." the reporter continued.
"No it wouldn't," retorted Huckabee.
"You think so?" the reporter asked.
"Let me explain how education works. You probably don't realize. Governors handle education. But governors don't even get into the curriculum of the schools. I was a governor ten and a half years. Ask the people of Arkansas how many times I wrote curriculum for the eighth grade textbooks. So why would I do it as president if I didn't do it as governor?" asked Huckabee.
Huckabee said he had been selected to be chairman of the Education Commission of States for two years and, as Chairman of National Governors, helped redesign the curriculum of high schools.
"It never came up, designing the curriculum for science text books," said Huckabee. "You guys are fascinated with that, but I have not met a single individual citizen in all of America yet in all the states I've traveled that said I'm really worried you're going to tinker with the science text books for the eighth graders."
The creationism issue has followed Huckabee since he raised his hand during a debate back in May when the candidates were asked if they don't believe in evolution.
He explained his affirmative response to MSNBC's Chris Matthews shortly afterwards saying, "If you want to believe that you and your family came from apes, I'll accept that....I believe there was a creative process."
"We shouldn't indoctrinate kids in school," he added. "I wouldn't want them teaching creationism as if it's the only thing that they should teach."