Romney's Problem With Reality

I don't like to comment on candidates this early in the race, but a couple of news items hit my retinas (my retinae?) this morning and I thought I'd be remiss in my duties as a lowly blogger-scribe were I to omit them from the morning's postings.

Mitt Romney's got a few problems with reality.

First on Evolution.

Via Talkingpointsmemo, we learn that Mitt's got some 'splainin to do to David Brody the congressional correspondent over at the CBNnews.com (that's the on-line news service of Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network):

Kevin Madden, Mitt Romney's spokesman has responded to The Brody File question on whether Mitt Romney believes in Evolution. I wanted to know his thoughts about it because at the debate the other night only three candidates raised their hand expressing doubt about Evolution. Romney was not one of those candidates. Here's the Romney campaign response:

"Governor Romney believes both science and faith can help inform us about the origins of life in this world."

With all due respect, what does that mean exactly? It leaves me with more questions. I have asked for further clarification which I assume will be forthcoming here at the Brody File. I have now asked the Romney campaign specifically if he believes in Darwin's theory of Evolution or does he take the Creationist view? The answer above suggests that he may believe in both. I'm not saying he does. I'm just saying I'm a tad bit confused by the answer.

In an odd way, I gotta agree with Mr Brody. What does that mean?

It reminds me, somewhat, about Stephan Jay Gould's "Nonoverlapping Magisteria" (a position not everyone agrees with), that:

The lack of conflict between science and religion arises from a lack of overlap between their respective domains of professional expertise—science in the empirical constitution of the universe, and religion in the search for proper ethical values and the spiritual meaning of our lives. The attainment of wisdom in a full life requires extensive attention to both domains—for a great book tells us that the truth can make us free and that we will live in optimal harmony with our fellows when we learn to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.

But Romney's not exactly in agreement with Gould. He says that faith "can help inform us about the origins of the world." He's not talking about "ethical values" or "spiritual meaning." And I don't, for the record, think that Brody's looking in that direction, either. He's pointing out yet another "problem" Christian evangelicals have with Romney:

The majority of Born Again Evangelicals take the Creationist viewpoint. Some Evangelicals already have concerns about Romney's Mormon faith. He needs support from Evangelicals to win. That's why this issue is an important one that needs to be cleared up. I don't think this is an issue that Romney can avoid. I believe his views need to be clear.

The message from Brody is clear. Mormon Mitt Romney's already on thin ice with Born Again Evangelicals (a community whose support he desperately needs in order to win the Republican nomination), and he won't be helping matters if he doesn't agree with them completely on Creationism.

Gould's Nonoverlapping Magisteria might be acceptable outside the community of Biblical literalists, but for those who are, it's their way on evolution or the highway. Mitt's in a pickle.

Problem #2: Marriage in France.

Via Atrios, I found this in Time.com. It's an explanation for Romney's recent criticism of those who don't get married because they prefer the single life:

In France, for instance, I'm told that marriage is now frequently contracted in seven-year terms where either party may move on when their term is up.

Where did this hitherto unknown information come from? Time tracks down the answer. Someone named Bradford Plumer posted this at The New Republic:

Actually, I think I know what he's talking about. There's an Orson Scott Card novel in which marriages actually are contracted out for seven years (don't ask how I know). And Romney is a big fan of sci-fi. So maybe that explains it. Except that most people don't, you know, confuse space tales with real life.

And after noting that Orson Scott Card is a "fellow Mormon" Ana Marie Cox confirms at the Time-blog:

Card's book with the seven-year marriage contracts? It's called "The Memory of Earth," and it is a fictionalization of the Book of Mormon set in outer space. Of course, Romney could believe the French are aliens. And, yes, Romney laid down this thunderous helping of nuttitude at Regent's University, Monica Goodling's alma mater.

Regent University, in case you didn't know, was founded by Pat Robertson. So this is all tied up in one nice Robertsonian bow.

Take a bow, Mitt. You're now a nutty Republican who's got a problem with reality.