RFK's 'Show Me the Data' Game

Former Vice President Mike Pence correctly states "RFK's hearings remove all doubt: He's not fit to lead a key federal health agency," in an editorial for which my only criticism is that it doesn't go far enough.

While it is true that Kennedy's views about vaccines are enough alone to disqualify him, Pence makes a common, wrong concession in his argument:

True, he does support some worthwhile lifestyle changes that can make folks healthier -- like better diets and exercise.

But there's too much wackiness in his background to trust America's health to such a figure.

Does he really understand, let alone support the "good parts?" I'm not so sure.

I happen to know, for example, that Kennedy advocates "sustainable" agricultural policies that would lead to famine if implemented consistently for very long. He also rails against "ultra-processed" foods without ever defining the term, and as an advocate of the nanny state, would happily take the decision to avail ourselves of such convenience out of our hands.

But let's set that aside for a moment, and even grant that he has a few suggestions about diet and exercise that would promote health, if practiced: He does, after all, look pretty good for someone his age.

The below, which he says about vaccines, would make me hesitant to take advice of any kind from him:

"Will you reassure mothers -- unequivocally and without qualification -- that the measles and hepatitis B vaccines do not cause autism?" the would-be HHS boss was asked.

"If you show me data, I will be the first person to assure the American people that they need to take those vaccines," he responded.

Uh, has he heard of Google? [bold added]

This is not someone who actually cares about "the data" on vaccine safety, of which there is an overwhelming amount, all freely available.

And if he's going to ignore this data, while pretending to be receptive to it, why should we believe he approaches anything else differently? Anything "good" coming from his mouth will be by chance, and in spite of the way his mind normally functions.

Some people do compartmentalize, but for a post with so much influence, we need someone who is as rational as possible across the board.

Kennedy is not only obviously wrong about vaccines, his whole approach to science is suspect, and disqualifies him from possessing authority over even a small part of HHS.

-- CAV