DEMOCRATS REACTING TO BUSH'S SCHEDULED STEM CELL RESEARCH VETO

Democratic candidates running in November have a far better understanding of the potency of this issue to the lives of real Americans who live outside the Beltway that the 37 Republicans who voted against it-- and a far better understanding than Chuck Schumer, who thinks it will hurt Democrats' election prospects. Missouri's Claire McCaskill, who gave the Democratic radio address last Saturday, urged support of the stem cell research legislation. She said the legislation "will hold up the light of hope for those who suffer and their families… And, at the same time it tightens ethical guidelines for this important work. No wonder this proposal has the support of most Americans and many elected officials of both parties."

In Virginia, ex-Ronald Reagan Navy Secretary Jim Webb castigated George Felix Allen for voting against the bill and then urged Bush to forget his ties to the religious reich and to abandon his threats to veto it and think of the American people instead and sign it. "As Nancy Reagan has so eloquently said, we cannot turn our back on this issue… Responsible stem cell research holds too much potential for too many people to be obstructed by politicians."

Although most citizens of Arizona favor stem cell research, only one of the state's Republican senators, John McCain, voted for it; the other one-- a radical right supporter of theocratic loons, Jon Kyl-- voted against it. Kyl's Democratic challenger, Jim Pederson explain clearly to voters where he is on this crucial issue: "I stand with the coalition of Democrats, Republicans, pro-choice and pro-life advocates to open the doors for stem cell research. This legislation could pave the way for treatments and cures for millions of Americans suffering from painful, debilitating diseases."

Jon Tester is running against the Senate's mist corrupt member, Conrad Burns, who, predictably, voted against stem cell research. Before Burns cast his negative vote, Tester made a plea on behalf of all citizens of Montana that he reconsider. "There is hope today that the Senate is finally considering meaningful Stem Cell legislation… Millions of Americans suffering from degenerative diseases with no cure have been waiting too long." It didn't do any good and if people in Montana want legislators who understand the difference between science and ethics on one hand and narrow and manipulative religionist superstitions on the other hand, November offers them a clear choice.

Harold Ford (Tennessee) and Amy Kobuchar (Minnesota) are contesting open seats. Ford sometimes gets the cold shoulder from progressives because his positions aren't liberal enough. But on a crucial issue to the real lives of Americans like this one, he makes it clear that there is a difference between Democrats and Republicans. "Stem cell research is about progress and making the future healthier and safe… Too many in Washington, including President Bush, regrettably, subordinate science for ideology. That is wrong. America has never hidden from a challenge or been afraid of the possibilities and potential of scientific advancement. We shouldn't start now." Amy also identifies with the march of science into a better future for all people. "Coming from a state that is home to the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota, I believe in science. I believe in the promise of stem cell research-- the pathway for the next generation of life-saving cures, but we also have a responsibility to set rules for how this research can be done… Everyday that passes without Congressional action is a day without research that could help so many Americans." You didn't get a vote yesterday and it's not likely that you have enough money to influence Bush's veto decision today. If you live in Minnesota, you can vote for Amy in November. If you don't, you can help Amy get her message out today.

In case you're wondering if the Bush Regime is trying to defend their insanity on non-religionist grounds, the answer is... well, sort of. They've wheeled out a well-known liar and shill, someone with absolutely zero regard for the well-being of the American people, Karl Rove, to claim that researchers are saying that there is "far more promise from adult stem cells than from embryonic stem cells." Like so much of what comes out of the White House-- and like everything that comes out of Rove, this is a complete fabrication. Even a White House spokesperson, Ken Lisaius, told the press yesterday that they could not provide the name of one single stem cell researcher-- and no Pat Robertson and Fred Phelps do not count-- who would back up Rove's blatant lies. Watch Bush and Fox "News" repeat them anyway. And try to remember that today is Blogosphere Day, a special day where we can make our grassroots voice heard by the powers that be by contributing to challengers who will be part of the solution.


UPDATE: AND WHAT ABOUT BUSH'S SCIENCE PROJECT?

Matthew Grimm from Iowa's hottest rock band, the Red Smear, reminded me that his state's sane senator, Tom Harkin, made an interesting remark on the floor of the Senate about this today: "I don't know who the president's science teachers were in school, but I bet none of them is bragging about it."