I wouldn't say he was ignorant of basic science. I would say he has a contempt for science.
I'm not alone apparently, because there are over 8,000 signatures of other concerned scientists on a petition from February 2004.
Here's a NYTimes article from September of this year:
NYT Article (9/2005): Is the Bush Administration anti-science? (you'll need to log in)
Here's the link to the Feb 2004 USC letter, and it's now 8,000 signatures:
Restoring Scientific Integrity in Policymaking
Excerpt:
...with a link to a list of the more prominent signatories....Signatories
I doubt any of these esteemed gentlemen would ever be accused of belonging to the Tin-foil hat crowd.
Here's an amazon link to the reviews of Chris Mooney's book "The Republican War on Science"
Amazon review of The Republican War on Science, Chris Mooney
Scroll down for the review from Scientific American:
So, does Bush dislike scientists and science because they make him feel stupid, or is he (and his administration) undermining and contorting science to support his/their own agenda? I would say the latter, of course.