Huntsman: GOP can't become 'anti-science' party

Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s denial of global warming poses a “serious problem” for Republicans trying to take back the White House in 2012, presidential rival Jon Huntsman says.

“The minute that the Republican Party becomes the party – the anti-science party, we have a huge problem. We lose a whole lot of people who would otherwise allow us to win the election in 2012,” the former Utah governor said in an interview that aired Sunday on ABC’s “This Week.”

“When we take a position that isn't willing to embrace evolution, when we take a position that basically runs counter to what 98 of 100 climate scientists have said, what the National Academy of Sciences has said about what is causing climate change and man's contribution to it,” he said, “I think we find ourselves on the wrong side of science, and, therefore, in a losing position.”

Last week, Perry, the latest entrant to the race for the GOP presidential nomination, said he doesn’t believe America should spend money on a “scientific theory that has not been proven.” That prompted a snarky tweet by Huntsman: “To be clear, I believe in evolution and trust scientists on global warming. Call me crazy."

Huntsman’s latest comments furthered his efforts to portray himself as the centrist alternative to tea party favorites like Perry and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann.

“Right now, this country is crying out for a sensible middle ground. This is a center-right country. I am a center-right candidate,” Huntsman said. “Right now, we've got people on the fringes. President Obama is too far to the left. We've got people on the Republican side who are too far to the right, and we have zero substance.”

When asked if Perry could defeat President Barack Obama should he win the nomination, Huntsman replied: "I think when you find yourself at an extreme end of the Republican Party, you make yourself unelectable."