Most conservatives actually acknowledge global warming. The reasonable ones even use it to establish their credibility: "I'm not a denialist." That talk comes from wonks and private citizens though. Conservative talking heads and politicians can't keep their careers with such apostasy.
Paul Ryan uses acknowledgement of poverty to build his own credibility.
Rand Paul builds credibility by acknowledging racial disparities in criminal justice.
And when I see these individuals lauded for challenging conservative orthodoxy, it bothers me. Sure, I'm glad to see a gram of independence and intelligence on display by Republicans, but why stop at a sliver of daylight? Why don't the headlines read like the Onion and say: "Senator Acknowledges Reality!"?
