Why Do Conservatives Deny Global Warming?

From Daily Kos:
At least for Iraq and creationism this movementarian absolutism has an element of self interest to it. Contrariwise the farther you step back from the climate “debate” the less sense it makes. In fact it looks almost exactly like the tobacco “debate” that was really settled some time in the 50’s, but stayed alive for decades after because of a brilliant and blindingly cynical PR campaign by the tobacco lobby. The entire gamut of false front astroturf groups, slanted studies and bogus experts forcing the appearance of a debate comes straight from the tobacco playbook. The only question is why the right wing felt such a compelling need to get behind it this time. Is there something inherently liberal about avoiding catastrophe?

It seems to me that the sad saga of warming denial illustrates a major weakness of conservative monementarianism. Climate science isn’t really partisan in any meaningful way, yet as long as the movementarians think that attacking the science will score a victory against liberalism they will go on attacking just the same. All the petro lobby needed to do was polarize a scientific matter along political lines and the rightwing movement willingly became what amounts to the private army for a cause almost completely tangential to their individual interests. Retired tobacco execs look on with a mix of humor and deep jealousy. -Tim F.

--SHORT ANSWER: Because they're incapable of critical thinking and of objectively analyzing any issue. They do not believe in the TRUTH, only in individualism and self-interest... one of those interests being willingly brainwashed by people with big mouths who get big money by serving the self-interest of their corporate oil and gas buddies. I have yet to find a denier's argument that isn't chock full of holes and a gross misrepresentation of the facts.