Democrats Hope to Divide G.O.P. Over Stem Cells

[cal04]

Democrats are pressing their support for embryonic stem cell research in Congressional races around the country, seeking to move back to center stage an issue they believe resonates with voters and to exploit a division between conservatives who oppose the science and other Republicans more open to it.

The question of whether the government should support or limit stem cell research has cropped up in Senate races in Maryland and Missouri, and in House races in California, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin, especially in suburban swing districts. "What Democrats want to do is gin up their turnout in the suburbs and divide Republicans, and right now they may do that," said Jennifer E. Duffy, who tracks Senate races for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. "This is the first real wedge issue Democrats have had with Republicans."

The topic may not have the power of those frequently used by Republicans to rally their conservative base, like same-sex marriage and abortion. But it could help Democrats win voters who are pinning their hopes on the science for treatments and cures. It may also influence voter turnout in some races, including here in Missouri, where a proposed constitutional amendment to protect stem cell research is making front-page news, and the incumbent Republican senator, Jim Talent, is facing a tough re-election challenge from the state auditor, Claire McCaskill, a Democrat.

On Tuesday, Ms. McCaskill appeared in the central Missouri town of Fayette, population 2,793, for a wine-and-cheese reception at an antiques shop and, later, for a dinner of roast beef and potatoes in the brightly lit social hall of St. Joseph's, a Roman Catholic church. A Catholic church is hardly the kind of place where most politicians would talk up embryonic stem cell studies — church leaders are fiercely opposed — but Ms. McCaskill did just that.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/24/washington/24stem.html?hp&ex=1145851200&en=e375db24245a8098&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[Stinky The Clown]

1. I love this. I love it love it love it ........

The issue is real. Its a wedge, we're on the right side of it along with the majority of the country, and we're using it.

[Coastie for Truth]

2. This issue is real - it effects me

I am a Type II diabetic.

Research in Israel has preliminarily shown efficacy for several stem cell derived therapies (last time I checked -- over 208 papers in http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi).

I have been a research subject of Dr. Gerry Reaven and Dr. Tracey McLaughlin (Stanford Medical School & Hospital, Palo Alto, CA) in several clinical studies for management of Type II Diabetes.

I am a Patient Advocate and on the Fund Raising Committee of the local American Diabetes Association.

I was a volunteer and financial contributor for "Yes on Prop 71" - the California Stem Cell Research Proposition.

As a "Faith Based Progressive" - I support Stem Cell Research - My community of faith says Stem cell Research is Permitted - .

So, I say let's go for it.

[snowbear]

3. They need to ensure there is TONS of media coverage...

Because the abortion and same-sex marriage wedge issues always seem to crop up just before elections and take center-stage.

Whoever the Democratic version of Karl Rove is needs to get the ball rolling and keep this AND other Democratic issues in the headlines!!

The issues that most Americans care about HAVE to completely drown out the Rethug wedge issues so that John Q. Public doesn´t once again get brainwashed with their bogus phony values B.S. !!!!

[Coastie for Truth]

4. Stem Cell Research and Katrina are symbols/short hand/code

Stem Cell Research

SCR is more then hope for victims of diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, spinal cord injuries, etc. It is a symbol of the Bush War on Science (global warming is too subtle to be a symbol, (un) intelligent design is not the right symbol, peak oil is also too subtle) - stem cell research is the right symbol for the "War On Science."

Katrina

Katrina is a heck of a lot more then screwing poor African-Americans. It is a story of gross negligence and incompetence that killed Americans. It is a story of gross negligence and incompetence as gross as the intelligence manipulation that led up to invading Iraq, the incompetence that got us bogged down in Iraq, the incompetence that let binLadin get away, It is symbolic of the incompetence is everything. And it is big, gorey, bloody, graphic incompetence.

We have got to run with Stem Cell Research and Katrina as symbols of Bush's failures and incompetencies.

Universal Health Insurance- That is an issue for our "base".

[snowbear]

6. Great ideas!

Hey, you know what... You should be working for the Democratic Party Coastie!!

I´m wondering though.. as far as the universal healthcare.. how much you want to bet the GOP tries to take advantage of Romney´s efforts in Massachusetts to claim that issue as their own..

I can´t wait until Rove´s biggest problem is the cellmate who finds him irresistible!

[Stinky The Clown]

7. ".... Romney´s efforts in Massachusetts to claim that issue as their own."

Amen to that. I just know that's coming.

[Coastie for Truth]

8. Romney's plan is better then nothing

but it's like "auto liability insurance" - You have to buy it, it's mandatory, but not single payer.

[Stinky The Clown]

9. Sadly, that's all it is .... better than nothing .... maybe

I want single payer. It is the ONLY right thing to do.

[Coastie for Truth]

10. We will have to go after "Single Payer"

--Incrementally, or

--With a Massive Democratic Majority in both the House and Senate, and in the White House

Remember, Hillary's strongest ally on "Single Payer" was Harris Wofford, a first term liberal -- and the GOP targeted Harris and elected Rick Santorum.

[Imagevision]

5. After Dems kick the GOP ass in November - the rest is easy

but I don't think they'll impeach Bush, they really don't need to, Bush can veto his brains out, he'll only get his taste with the new house and senate out voting him!

[nolabels]

11. Divide them?

Hell we should keep em all in same place for the round-up


(snip)
CROWD PENS

The number one mistake made by handlers is putting too many animals in the crowding pen that leads to the single file chute. Animals need room to turn. When cattle are handled, the crowd pen should be one half to three quarters full. For bison and wild horses, the crowd pen should be less than half full. Cattle, pigs, elk, bison, deer, and wild horses should be moved in small groups to help keep them calm. The only exception to this rule is sheep. Sheep have such a strong following instinct that they can be moved in one continuous mob.

A single lone bovine in a small crowd pen can be very dangerous and may charge a handler. The handler should never get in a crowd pen with one or two frightened animals. However, it is safe for experienced handlers to be in a larger pen or alley with a group of cattle. In this situation, there is sufficient room so that the handler is not constantly invading the animal's flight zone. The animals also have space to move away.
(snip)
http://www.grandin.com/references/safe.html

[babylonsister]

12. Run with this, Dems! It's a win/win for us! nt

[babylonsister]

13. K/R. nt