In the state of Maine, there’s been a bit of a kerfuffle recently over the controversial views of Paul LePage, the Republican nominee for Governor. John Frary, the Republican Party’s recent candidate for Congress in Maine’s 2nd District, sought to allay concerns about Paul LePage’s creationist views by writing an op-ed piece in the Portland Press Herald earlier this month. Frary had this to say about LePage:
His opponents will get some mileage from the Republican’s answer to question about “creationism” in a debate.
He did not propose this as a vital educational reform. He did not advocate removing evolution from the curriculum. He merely said that he would not oppose a local school board including such a component.
It’s never safe to trust the truth value of a politician’s defense of someone else in his own party. Let’s fact-check John Frary’s claim about Paul LePage. What did Paul LePage actually say?
Debate transcript, May 27, 2010:
Full text of question posed by Maine Public Radio’s Jennifer Rooks: “Do you believe in creationism, and do you think it should be taught in Maine public schools?”
Full text of answer by Paul LePage: “I would say intelligence, uh, the more education you have the more knowledge you have the better person you are and I believe yes and yes.”
John Frary Claim #1: “He did not propose this as a vital educational reform.”
Verdict: FALSE. In a gubernatorial debate, candidates speak about what they would do as governor. When asked “Do you believe in creationism, and do you think it should be taught in Maine public schools?”, Paul LePage unequivocally declared “I believe yes and yes.” Yes, Paul LePage thinks creationism should be taught in Maine public schools. It was a reform proposal made specifically and voluntarily by Paul LePage.
John Frary Claim #2: “He did not advocate removing evolution from the curriculum.”
Verdict: TRUE. But nobody claims that Paul LePage is advocating this. Run a google search for “Paul LePage” and “remove evolution” and you’ll get… nothing at all. Tomorrow, you’ll get nothing. John Frary is engaged in an attempt to change the subject from creationism, a subject Paul LePage declares he thinks should be taught in Maine public schools.
John Frary Claim #3: “He merely said that he would not oppose a local school board including such a component.”
Verdict: FALSE. Paul LePage did not equivocate. He did not couch his support for creationism in public schools in terms of “local school boards” or “components.” Paul LePage made the broad declaration, “Yes,” he thinks creationism should be taught in public schools.
If you live in Maine and you think creationism is for Sunday School and science is for public school, now is the time to come out and say so. After Paul LePage is elected governor, it will be too late.
