McCain said recently that there is “strong evidence” mercury in vaccines causes autism.

From the Chronicle of Higher Education: John McCain’s Autism Comment Prompts Outrage in the Science Blogosphere

“This is nonsense on stilts,” wrote Megan McArdle at The Atlantic’s blog Asymmetrical Information. She guesses that he might have said so in order to court the voting bloc of those who believe vaccines cause autism. “The researchers who study [mercury in vaccines] probably weren’t going to vote for McCain anyway.”

From Michael Goldfarb’s blog on the Weekly Standard: Yikes! McCain goes a little crackpot himself

Proof of how ridiculous, and pernicious, the claim is: the most prominent anti-Thimerosal agitator is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who suggests not only that Thimerosal is the culprit, but also a conspiracy by the government … Does McCain also believe there is a cover-up then? One would hope not …

From Benedict Carey in the New York Times: Into the fray over the cause of autism

… the parent groups raising concerns about the dangers of vaccines have not wavered in their conviction, and if anything have become more skeptical of government pronouncements on the issue. Radio hosts, journalists and a new television drama have also taken up the issue. So if Mr. McCain’s goal was bucking the establishment — and turning a weather eye on the government — his remarks made good politics.

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