WSJ: Stem-Cell Issue: Republicans' Undoing?

[question everything]

The Wall Street Journal

Stem-Cell Issue: Republicans' Undoing?

Disgruntled Party Moderates Could Pose Threat in Some Suburban Congressional Districts
By JACKIE CALMES
July 21, 2006; Page A4

ELMHURST, Ill. -- At her home in this Chicago suburb, 68-year-old Alice Doyle has a sign in her front window for the Republican candidate for governor. But on a recent morning, she joined a small group at her neighbor's house to lend support to the Democrat (Tammy Duckworth) running for Congress in this historically Republican district.

(snip)

While Ms. Duckworth jumps on the issue, Mr. Roskam dodges it. "There are bigger issues going on in this campaign." says spokesman Ryan McLaughlin, declining to make the candidate available despite several requests over two days. The Republican's reticence is understandable. While Mr. Bush's position cheers religious and social conservatives in the Republicans' base, nationwide it has alienated many moderates and has some questioning their fealty to a party increasingly defined by its cultural conservatism in emphasizing its opposition to issues such as gay marriage and abortion. "I think the Republican Party is in the Dark Ages on this," says Mrs. Doyle, a registered Republican who says she now "tends to vote Democratic."

(snip)

In Missouri, the stem-cell issue is prominent in Democratic Auditor Claire McCaskill's campaign to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Talent, and a separate initiative backing research is on the ballot, stoking interest. The issue also figures in Senate races in Ohio, Arizona, Minnesota, Montana and Virginia, and in suburban House contests in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Colorado and Washington. In Missouri's Aug. 8 Republican primary, conservative Rep. Todd Akin, a foe of the stem-cell bill, is challenged by state Rep. Sherman Parker, who strongly supports expanded research and has written that such debates "will determine whether we are a party controlled by social fundamentalists."


(snip)

Not Mae Pearson, a 77-year-old widow at the Duckworth coffee. "I was raised Republican -- strong Republican -- and I thought it was so wonderful to move to DuPage County after I got married" in 1950, she says. "But it's just too hard to be a Republican anymore because it's not the Republican Party I grew up in." "Embryos count, people don't," complains George Strejcek, 62. He and wife Elizabeth, 58, describe themselves as former Republicans. "Goldwater I could tolerate," he says. "But with these Republicans, they forget we live in a democracy, not a theocracy." "They're not fiscally responsible either," his wife says.


URL for this article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB115344108408113095.html (subscription)

[Old and In the Way]

1. "because it's not the Republican Party I grew up in."

A refrain I'm hearing more and more of. If my mom was alive, even she'd be voting Democrat.

[w8liftinglady]

2. My dad has voted Democrat in the last two elections...

he was republican up to Bush's first election....he's no idiot,and could see the writing on the wall..hopefully more will come along

[bleever]

3. I grew up in DuPage County

(to the best of my ability) and these are, basically, good people.

Largely Republican, but real Republicans, concerned about fiscal responsibility, national security, and economic progress.

Their kids (in my day) grew up to become Democrats, and doubtless have had many conversations trying to convince their parents that the GOP wasn't really advancing their interests, or the interests of their grandchildren.

This administration has made possible so many breakthroughs in family communication, that it may be the biggest silver lining to this dark, dark cloud.

[opihimoimoi]

4. I agree...BushCo has done the Repub Party a great disservice

Bush and gang has hurt America and Her Future. They have shown what poor leadership is and the damage that results. Truly pathetic and pitiful at the same time...

[Quantess]

8. Bush's parents did us all a great disservice

by spawning him.

[opihimoimoi]

12. The fruit don't fall too far from the Bush....LOL

[NMMNG]

5. Very good

Bush is pandering too much to the radical fundie wing and losing more reasonable people as a result. I couldn't be happier.

[A Proud Liberal]

6. In First Veto Bush Once Again Shuns Science

George W. Bush exercised his first official veto this last week amid much fanfare. His veto was on a bill that would allow the expenditure of federal funds for stem cell research. The reason this was his first veto is simple, bills he didn’t want in past, he signed into law and issued signing statements declaring his intention to ignore the new law. As reported by Charlie Savage, in the Boston Globe on April 30, 2006, “President Bush has quietly claimed the authority to disobey more than 750 laws enacted since he took office, asserting that he has the power to set aside any statute passed by Congress when it conflicts with his interpretation of the Constitution.” He did not use a signing statement this time because he wanted to pander to the religious right that believes that even in-vitro fertilized human eggs rate the status of a full human life. This same crowd would make murderers out of all pregnant women having abortions and their physicians. He believes the publicity generated by his veto will help during the upcoming mid-term elections.

We should not forget that this issue was why Bush was asleep at the switch prior to 9/11 attacks. He had retired to his Crawford, Texas ranch that summer to study the embryonic stem cell issue. On August 9, 2001 (33 days before 9/11), Bush announced his decision to limit federal funding to already established research lines. A number he set at 64 when in reality it turned out to be 19 or 20, now all so contaminated as to be of little scientific use. During his press conference of the veto, he touted the viability of adult stem cells, a view held by a small minority of scientists in the field. He also had numerous children that were adopted after being abandoned in vitro only to be implanted in surrogates for the purpose of adoption. He did not explain why these ‘caring parents’ did not adopt any of the many children (mostly children of color) put up for adoption or the many older children needing homes.

With this veto, Bush has once again shown total contempt for rational scientific thought. He prefers theology to the scientific method. He has done this before in his support of so-called Intelligent Design (a thinly veiled form of Creationism). This is a truly synergistic relationship between Bush and the religious right as reported by Peter Slevin of the Washington Post on March 14, 2005, “They are acting now because they feel emboldened by the country's conservative currents and by President Bush, who angered many scientists and teachers by declaring that the jury is still out on evolution. Sharing strong convictions, deep pockets, and impressive political credentials -- if not always the same goals -- the activists are building a sizable network.”

Each side will continue to re-enforce the other unless rational thinking people standup and say “ENOUGH!”

Offend a Conservative - Use Your Brain
http://aproudliberal.blogspot.com/

[City Lights]

10. Welcome to DU, A Proud Liberal.

:hi:

[newyawker99]

13. Hi A Proud Liberal!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[YOY]

7. Makes you hope for a break-off party like we had with the Greens

and no, I don't mean the Jesse Ventura independants...

Real Republicans are capable of debate...these Neocon people are idiots who fall back on groupthink and rhetoric.

One can dream...

[flaminbats]

9. it makes me hope our party leaders wakeup!

almost every Republican voter I know feels just as passionate, if not more, than those quoted in this article. Republicans will not gain any votes because of Bush's veto, but they'll certainly lose votes..especially those who voted Republican because of 9/11.

When the WSJ points out Republicans are in trouble..they better listen, or they'll start losing some big donations!

[calimary]

11. I sure hope so!

I hope it's OUR wedge issue, to use against THEM.

[calimary]

14. I'm telling ya, guys - this is NOT a fun time to be a republi-CON.

And the partisans in Washington know this, deep down.

Another sleepless night I wish for them. They've certainly given the rest of us enough of 'em.