Jon Huntsman: Rick Perry 'Out Of The Mainstream' On Evolution, Climate Science

Perry's Position On Evolution Targeted By GOP Rival

Republican presidential hopeful Jon Huntsman revived an attack on rival GOP candidate Rick Perry over his stance on evolution and climate change over the weekend.

Huntsman called the Texas governor's views on science "out of the mainstream."

“If you’re going to run from climate science, if you’re going to run from other mainstream scientific principles, evolution among them, I think you’re suggesting to a whole lot of people out there that you’re out of the mainstream,” Huntsman said during an appearance on Bloomberg’s “Political Capital With Al Hunt."

It's not the first time Huntsman has criticized Perry for being "outspoken" about his views on evolution and science on the trail. Perry has said that he thinks "God is how we got here" and that evolution is "a theory that's out there."

Huntsman was pressed on his past characterization of the GOP as the "anti-science party" at a recent Republican presidential debate. He was asked, "Who on this stage is anti-science?"

While Huntsman declined to name any specific rival candidate, he expressed concern that his GOP opponents were running away from "mainstream conservative philosophy."

"When you make comments that fly in the face of what 98 out of 100 climate scientists have said, when you call to question evolution, all I'm saying is that in order for the Republican Party to win, we can't run from science," Huntsman said.

In August, Huntsman wrote in a tweet, "To be clear. I believe in evolution and trust scientist on global warming. Call me crazy."

Asked about the message by ABC News, Huntsman said, "I think there's a serious problem. The minute that the Republican Party becomes the party –- the anti-science party, we have a huge problem." He added, "We lose a whole lot of people who would otherwise allow us to win the election in 2012."

Below, video of what Huntsman had to say about the Republican party and science at a recent presidential debate.

WATCH:

Below, a slideshow highlighting the views of Republican presidential candidates on evolution, creationism and intelligent design:

Where GOP Candidates Stand On Evolution

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