Stemming reasonable stem cell science. Photo and excerpt from Wired, here, dateline Oct. 22, 2008:
Palin Mucks Up McCain's Stance On Stem Cells
By Sarah Lai Stirland
Sarah Palin raised eyebrows Wednesday when she told the evangelical leader and broadcaster James Dobson that John McCain agrees with the Republican party platform, which states the party's opposition to embryonic stem cell research, among other things.
As Marc Ambinder over at The Atlantic noted, Dobson had asked Palin whether it was her impression that McCain supported the views expressed in the platform, and whether she thought he would implement them.
"I do, from the the bottom of my heart," Palin said. "I am such a strong believer that McCain believes in those strong planks and we do have good conversations about some of the details too, about the different planks and what they represent."
Palin opposes federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. The Republican party platform, adopted during its September convention, does too. The party prefers scientists to work with stem cells derived from other sources.
But McCain has stated his support for embryonic stem cell research, and has made it a campaign issue by running radio ads in battleground states with lots of independent voters.
A trio of Nobel Laureates who endorsed Obama September said at the time that they felt that they couldn't trust McCain's positions because of political pressure from religious conservatives.
But McCain's going to be the decider once in office, said campaign spokesman Michael Goldfarb.
"John McCain's been very clear on his position on stem cells, and Sarah Palin's been very clear on her position on stem cells. Sarah Palin has made it clear that as vice president, she would not implement her own personal views, but John McCain's," he said.
[links are as in the Wired original, not double-checked, italics added] Playing games with blocs and constituencies? Lower-ticket freelancing? A failure to communicate? Palin off-message and ignorant of the facts? Or intentional GOP duplicity?
See also, "Dr. James Dobson: McCain’s Choice of Palin 'Outstanding'" dated 8-29-08:
Colorado Springs, Colo. – Focus on the Family Action founder and chairman James C. Dobson, Ph.D., issued the following statement today after learning that Sen. John McCain, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, had selected Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential running mate.
Dr. Dobson will further discuss McCain's pick tonight at 9 p.m. ET on Fox News Channel’s Hannity & Colmes.
“Sen. McCain’s selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is an outstanding choice that should be extremely reassuring to the conservative base of his party. She is a strong executive who hates corruption and puts principle above politics. After floating the names of Tom Ridge and Sen. Joe Lieberman in recent weeks – selections that would have created consternation among pro-family Republicans – Sen. McCain has chosen a solid conservative who has a reputation for espousing common sense. [...]
The GOP has its reformation work cut out for it. What will it offer in 2012? Does it have a death wish? Or envision its resurrection? What is a "conservative" and how would these peoples' attempt at a definition disturb the ghost of Barry Goldwater? Other side of things - despite numerical success, do the Dems have their house in order? You decide.
I have my feelings. YOU decide.
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Here. Also, here. The luddite impediments to stem cell science in all its possibilities, for the advancement of medical knowledge and for the general good of society, clearly is a situation needing a corrective resolution eliminating Bush mischief. It is, however, or should be back-burner, for now. I trust Obama and his chief of staff will avoid back-burner splinter issues taking front stage during the early days of Obama in office (the Clinton experience with the gays-in-the-military early surfacing is precedent, and Obama seems to have a good learning curve). (Also, that James Dobson, PhD, stuff -- what's his degree in anyway, busy-bodying?)