He does not differentiate between via CO2 or via other reasons, for one thing. For another saying “causing some global warming” instead of “causing global warming” and he would be much closer. Or, are there still people who deny the presence of muons?

“Reps. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.) and Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.), both research scientists, also were denied seats on the committee. Normally, relevant expertise would be considered an advantage. In this case, it was a disqualification; if the GOP allowed Republican researchers who accept the scientific consensus to sit on a global warming panel, it would kill the party’s strategy of making global warming seem to be the pet obsession of Democrats and Hollywood lefties.

“The phenomenon here is that a tiny number of influential conservative figures set the party line; dissenters are marginalized, and the rank and file go along with it. No doubt something like this happens on the Democratic side pretty often too. It’s just rare to find the phenomenon occurring in such a blatant way.

“You can tell that some conservatives who want to fight global warming understand how the psychology works and are trying to turn it in their favor. Their response is to emphasize nuclear power as an integral element of the solution. Sen. John McCain, who supports action on global warming, did this in a recent National Review interview. The technique seems to be surprisingly effective. When framed as a case for more nuclear plants, conservatives seem to let down their guard.”

What is Chait’s explanation of the motivations of the Republican party leaders? “The truth is more complicated — and more depressing: A small number of hard-core ideologues (some, but not all, industry shills) have led the thinking for the whole conservative movement.”

This seems to tie into Matthew Nisbet’s similar post that “As Fewer Americans Identify with GOP, “Republicans” as Measured in Polls Appear More Resistant to Changing Their Views on Science”, http://scienceblogs.com/framing-science/2007/03/as_fewer_americans_identify_wi.php.

My own view is that while there is some deliberate shilling going on, that our very real resistance to changing our minds and our penchant for choosing sides are also both at work.

But there seems every reason to expect that the attraction of potential federal research dollars will start to entice the Republican legislators to play along – otherwise industry will simply cast them to the side.