In all fairness to the Congressman its likely what he was responding to what he heard. While Mr. Gore was speaking Rep. Barton likely heard: "blah, blah, blah, blah, Bernie Maddoff, Blah, Blah"

Most of Gore's testimony was likely over the Congressman's head. It'd be like explaining how to make brownies to your dog. Until you say the word "treat" your dog will just look at you with a somewhat bemused expression. It looks like he's paying attention, but he really doesn't get it. He just has that Pavlovian response to the word "treat".

Likewise Rep. Barton doesn't understand global warming, he just doesn't get it. So most of Gore's words were ignored by his brain. But his Pavlovian response kicked in at the words "Bernie Maddoff".

Protest too much.

Should the ignorance displayed by Rep. Barton surprise anyone given the republicans disdain for for science? Their supporters don't live in the same world that those of us who have even a basic understanding of science do. You simply cannot convince them of the truth of any facts by using science. They just don't get it.

Because the Bible is the only fact book they are ever going to check.

If it is good for the church, then it is good for them.

For the past quarter-century, our government has been secretly seized by a species of roach-people who believe that wealth should be transferred from the poor to the rich, that rich old white men should control women's wombs, and that faith should trump science.

Isn't it fun to watch them scurry for the cracks as the light is turned on?

I can't wait for Camille Paglia to write about Barton's "brilliant rebuttal" to Gore.

The "blah blah blah Ginger" reference above was too perfect. He's like a cartoon brought to life.

"Now, hold, I say hold on there a minute Mr Gore, are you tellin me that climate change isn't like an oil change? Don't these things NEED to be changed now and then?"

Barton really is an idiot.

Anyway, his Dr. Idso friend is an Exxon-Mobil funded hack.

Thank goodness the Democrats are in charge. Earth might actually stand a chance.

nails it.

On parade here. Anyone else note the vocal similarity between Barton and the school principal on King of the Hill?

And they both apparently think football is Among the Most Important Things on Earth.

What a rube.

Joe Barton obviously did not understand this was an Analogy. Barton did not even get that Gore was using the Maddoff analogy to point our how Barton had been mislead by non-science.

Every time I see republicans, like Barton, I have got to wonder how they even got this far. Their stupidity is astounding. Some Republicans must be embarrassed.

Should people elected to office then be required to pass an intelligence test? Just asking. I'm guessing we'd lose 2/3rds of conservatives.

if it wasn't so depressing.

...."I believe that you have relied on people you have trusted, who have given you bad information."....But somehow Gore's 'trusted' sources for his information are all beyond reproach? Does he know any of Barton's sources? Doubtful. And, how about answering the carbon credit question. You weren't asked what you thought about Barton's sources...I know it's really hot, but try to focus

both barton and gore talk for a living. no matter which side of the debate i am on i hardly think this brief interjection by barton is indicative of any intelligence differential among politicians of any party. any of these readers who could possibly take this comment to mean that "all republicans are stupid" is being kind of ridiculous.

in fact, i would say that, in the extent of this clip at least, al gore was not answering the question posed to him very well. he might have gotten around to it after the video clip stopped however, so we shouldn't pass judgment there either. after all, he talks for a living as well.

bernbart is correct: Gore's invocation of Bernie Madoff was an analogy, not a metaphor.

Is Joe Barton a hoot or what? Anthropomorphically speaking, of course.

Joe Barton belongs to the Branch Moran Republicans of North Texas. An original, Momma dropped him on his head, Branch Moran. And he's my congressman.

Back to the bunker.

Right-on comments, amigos. I especially liked the climate change/oil change link. Texas is an oil state after all.

I've watched the video of the exchange a couple times and I admit having doubts about just how dumb Joe Barton really is.

Barton is a bought-and-paid-for mercenary who represents first and foremost the business interests and energy companies that contribute funds for his re-election. He does, after all, have to run for office every two years.

If he's smart enough to get into the payola food chain, he's probably smart enough to play the fool for all

the "groundlings" who watch Fox News and the Fox Business Channel, while scoring some points with the folks who pay his campaigns.

I'd love to believe that Joe is a dumb as he looks. But maybe that's just too easy. On the other hand, I have seen smarter-looking fence posts.

@DoctorGreeves

"I'd love to believe that Joe is a dumb as he looks. But maybe that's just too easy. On the other hand, I have seen smarter-looking fence posts."

He's been my Congressman for twenty years, as a fellow traveler with T. DeLay, bugman, and I can tell you unequivocally that Joe really, truly, WYSIWYG, actually, is that dumb.

Think of this: during the great DeLay engineered earmark giveaways of the late, unlamented Republican congress, Barton had none. Yet he voted for them all, without any benefit for his district. Now, is that clever or stupid? The Moran played DeLay's music without realizing he was supposed to be playing too. What's the point of being in a criminal enterprise without getting paid?

Yeah, he plays the tune of the energy companies as well, but is dumb enough to think they support him for what he believes. Think of his mastery of Dr. Chu during the recent hearings. The Youtube vid could have been titled "Energy Secretary puzzled by simpleton's question."

Think of the frustration I feel when I get a request to write my congressman to support [fill in the blank]. Absolutely hopeless. The district is so magnificently gerrymandered that it would take a Katrina like event to change the politics of the good old Texas 6th.

Back to the bunker.