Dems Lure Moderate GOP on Stem Cell Issue

[Bossy Monkey]

Oct 19, 7:22 PM EDT

Dems Lure Moderate GOP on Stem Cell Issue

By MARK SHERMAN
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Following the deaths of Ronald Reagan and Christopher Reeve, embryonic stem cell research with its potential to find cures for debilitating illnesses is giving John Kerry and other Democrats an issue to pitch to moderate Republican voters.

In the Northwest, the campaign of Washington Democratic Sen. Patty Murray is airing a television commercial that says Republican Rep. George Nethercutt, her opponent, "wants to hold back science" because of his past opposition to embryonic stem cell research.

"When so many are suffering from diseases like diabetes and Alzheimer's, how could George Nethercutt buckle under to party leaders and oppose funding for life-saving stem cell research?" an announcer says in an ad that also hits the Republican for his opposition to abortion. Nethercutt on Tuesday unveiled a response ad that features his daughter, Meredith, telling viewers that she has diabetes and her father does support stem cell research.

Actor Michael J. Fox, who suffers from Parkinson's, appears in another ad running in several hotly contested states contrasting Sen. Kerry's backing of research with President Bush's more limited support. "George Bush says we can wait. I say lives are at stake and it's time for leadership," Fox says.
(more)
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/STEM_CELL_POLITICS?SITE=SCCOL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[Cha]

1. Christopher Reeve was such an inspiring,

strong brave person who was working so hard for this stem cell research to continue without the blockage from the fanatics!

[DeepModem Mom]

2. Thanks for posting this encouraging article --