Guiliani stumps for McGavick, Zig Ziglar

So former New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani was in the Northwest this week to "stump for Republican candidates," including Mike McGavick.

Seems he probably got a hefty paycheck Monday as part of a motivational seminar in Portland.

The "Get Motivated!" business seminar took over the arena all day with motivational speakers and coaches. Crowds commuting to the event aggravated rush-hour snarls near downtown.

Headliners were former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who peppered his speech with anecdotes about the city's response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

I had observed the full page ads for this event in The Oregonian some weeks ago, and I really didn't think it was of much note. If people want to spend their money to get all pumped up listening to Rudy and Colin, and as it turns out, motivational guru Zig Ziglar, more power to them.

But it seems Ziglar got a little carried away and revealed something of the true nature of these events.

The crowd roared when Zig Ziglar -- "America's #1 Motivator," event advertising says -- belittled the concept of evolution.

"I'm not a scientist or a prophet, but I'm going to predict that in 10 years' time, the theory of evolution will be just a bad joke that hung around too long," Ziglar said.

Yes, the best way to make money is to insult science and all those consumers who, you know, like the things that science creates.

Maybe Rudy and Colin aren't the moderates people say they are? Or maybe they just hang out with Ziglar for the paycheck.