Bad politicians, bad!

There are many stupid political policy panders out there. As an example Yglesias notes complaints about the price of gas when ultimately dealing with environmental problems will require higher prices. Far more troubling, as Jason Zengerle is pandering on issues like whether vaccines are linked to autism:

Actually, as the WaPo’s Michael Dobbs points out, the science isn’t inconclusive: numerous studies have found no link between vaccines and autism. But there are plenty of people who don’t let the science get in the way of their suspicions. Having two out of the three presidential remaining presidential candidates fan those suspicions--McCain has made comments similar to Obama’s--doesn’t help matters.

P.S. Which is all the more reason to get behind this ScienceDebate2008 idea.

That sort of thing is a real gaffe and the candidates should be called on it. Ezra Klein notes that Clinton has done it too, although hers was a lower key written response if I’m reading this right.