Another scared Republican

[proud2BlibKansan]

Talent ends support for bill restricting stem cell research
By MATT STEARNS
The Star’s Washington Correspondent

WASHINGTON – Sen. Jim Talent of Missouri on Friday withdrew his support of legislation that would criminalize key types of stem cell research. He instead suggested a more flexible regulatory approach that would take into account new scientific advances.

Talent said the bill he had co-sponsored, which had been criticized by scientific and business leaders in Kansas City and St. Louis, was overly broad given that new discoveries showed it possible to get the benefits of embryonic stem cell research without the risk of cloning human embryos.

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Abandoning the restrictive bill could allow Talent to thread a political needle that had begun to trouble his re-election campaign in what is already a close race against Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill.

Many Missouri business leaders, including key Republican leaders, are supporting a ballot initiative to protect stem cell research in Missouri. The pro-life movement opposes the initiative.

Talent said he had not yet decided whether to support or oppose the Missouri ballot initiative.


http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/breaking_news/13840357.htm

[xray s]

1. This is a no win for Talent

He just pissed off his base. That is all he has.

Good.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. This stem cell issue is destroying the Repubs in MO

They are really torn on this. If stem cell research is banned in MO, it will be economically damaging. Biomedical research is a big industry here. On the other hand, the pro-lifers/anti-abortionists are lobbying hard to oppose it.

[FreedomAngel82]

6. Yep

Tee-hee. Sad really.

[richabk]

10. Wedge issues are a bitch, aren't they?? n/t.

[saltpoint]

2. No one has said stem cell research will cure cancer by next weekend.

But I LOVE the trauma that Dubya has caused among GOP reps and senators. Especially in Missouri, and Jim Talent. If he wins some support for his shift of position he may also lose many of the extreme fundamentalists who heretofore thought he was drinking Bush's Koolaid.

It's great when the Republicans are devoured by their own meanness and limitations.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. I love it!

Damned fools.

[Erika]

5. Damned partisan fools

who are abandoning W as fast as they can. They better get the message. The rule attempt by the Taliban Christian right has seen its day. Scientific truth is showing the way.

[FreedomAngel82]

7. And with him

it seems that he's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. The repuke governor is in the same position

hee hee

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

8. Washington University in St. Louis is one of the top medical schools and

medical research facilities in the country. What a disgrace should it be handicapped by RW Bible thumping zealotry.

Amazing for dude to have to back off of his own initiative. Sheesh.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. The Stowers Institute in KC

has already canceled plans for a new research facility here and built it in Massachusetts instead. If stem cell research is banned in MO, they will leave KC. We also have Midwest Research Institute, and two great medical schools. And the pharma industry is big here. Banning stem cell research is one of the stupidest things MO could ever do.

[Bluebear]

9. He reminds me of some 1975 high school yearbook photo :)

[The_Casual_Observer]

13. He lost the fundies, he must have wet his pants.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

14. Did Bible thumpers and antiabortion zealots actually CARE about stem cell

research before shrubco made a big deal about it?

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. It's obvious they don't understand it.