Palin says she doesn't believe in evolution

First, a conspiracy about dollar coins. Now a conspiracy about monkeys and fish.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Sen. John McCain's (R-AZ) vice presidential running mate, signals in her new book Going Rogue that she doesn't believe in evolution, panning it as theory that human beings "originated from fish that sprouted legs and crawled out of the sea."

According to a review published Sunday in The New York Times, Palin knocks evolution in her new book.

Elsewhere in this volume, she talks about creationism, saying she “didn’t believe in the theory that human beings — thinking, loving beings — originated from fish that sprouted legs and crawled out of the sea” or from “monkeys who eventually swung down from the trees.” In everything that happens to her, from meeting Todd to her selection by Mr. McCain for the Republican ticket, she sees the hand of God: “My life is in His hands. I encourage readers to do what I did many years ago, invite Him in to take over.”

Palin's stance may itself an be "evolution" from a previous position. In 2006, ThinkProgress notes, Palin advocated that both creationism (the belief that humankind originated from a supreme being) and evolution should be taught side-by-side in public schools.

"Teach both," Palin said during a 2006 Alaska gubernatorial debate. "You know, don't be afraid of information. Healthy debate is so important, and it's so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both."

And, in a 2008 interview with Fox News' Sean Hannity, Palin said she didn't think creationism should be taught exclusively in schools.

"No," Palin remarked. "In fact, growing up in a school teacher's house with a science teacher as a dad, you know, I have great respect for science being taught in our science classes and evolution to be taught in our science classes.''

MSNBC notes that Palin also discusses a conversation she had with McCain's campaign advisor, Steve Schmidt, in her book.

"But your dad's a science teacher," Schmidt objected. "Yes." "Then you know that science proves evolution," added Schmidt. "Parts of evolution," I said. "But I believe that God created us and also that He can create an evolutionary process that allows species to change and adapt." Schmidt winced and raised his eyebrows. In the dim light, his sunglasses shifted atop his hear. I had just dared to mention the C-word: creationism. But I felt I was on solid factual ground.