Bill Frist to the Rescue - on Stem Cells?

By: Lowell
Published On: 7/29/2005 1:00:00 AM

Wow, I never thought I'd ever be saying something nice about Bill Frist, but if the New York Times is correct, I've got to tip my hat to the Senate Republican leader.  It appears as if Senator Frist has decided to break with the White House and to join Nancy Reagan on an issue where the vast majority of Americans disagree with President Bush - embryonic stem cell research. 

As anyone who's read this blog in the past knows, I'm a passionate supporter of stem cell research, in part because my sister has juvenile diabetes.  Simply stated, embryonic stem cell research is the quickest, surest way to cures for diabetes and many other terrible diseases - Alzheimers, Parkinsons, cancer, etc.  So when Bill Frist says "I am pro-life" but "I also believe that embryonic stem cell research should be encouraged and supported," this is a big deal.

As Senator Frist will say in a speech today, according to the New York Times, "Cure today may be just a theory, a hope, a dream.  But the promise is powerful enough that I believe this research deserves our increased energy and focus. Embryonic stem cell research must be supported. It's time for a modified policy - the right policy for this moment in time."

Bill Frist to the rescue?  I never thought I'd say those words!

PS  By the way, what's Jerry Kilgore's position on this issue?  We know that Kilgore allies like  Eric Cantor (R - 7th), Virgil Goode (R - 5th), Thelma Drake (R -2nd) and Bob Goodlatte (R-6th) oppose embryonic stem cell research.  Not sure about George Allen or John Warner.

Comments



9/10ths of the repub (Shawn Becker - 4/4/2006 11:27:20 PM)
9/10ths of the republican party disapprove of stem cell research?  That seems very high, even for republicans.  Do you care to say where you got that number from?  Just curious. 

Good point on the McCain factor.  However, I think Frist can maintain his base of right winged nut jobs and still gain some support from the centralists, because he is being fairly clear that he supports use of embryos that would otherwise be discarded. He is aware that stem cell research is what this country desires, and that Bush's views are that of the minority. I guess he is trying to somewhat make a new identity for himself, like he is mainstream or something. 



Wow ... this is amaz (Jeremy - 4/4/2006 11:27:20 PM)
Wow ... this is amazing news.  Could it be a sign  of something larger?

Will we now see Bush driving a Honda Civic?  Where is Pastor John when we need him? 



Shawn Becker: Yes (Paul - 4/4/2006 11:27:20 PM)
Shawn Becker:

Yes, and 9/10ths of the Republican primary voters disapprove.

And don't forget - Frist can't get the nomination by running to the center. If Rudi/McCain run, they'll eat up every centrist Republican vote available. Frist needs to keep going to the right to get the nomination - particularly on immigration, where McCain is weak (in the eyes of hte Republican base).



It is great to see c (Devin Farrel - 4/4/2006 11:27:20 PM)
It is great to see clear thought finally arise.  The Catholic church has in the past been vehemently against invitro fertilization, blood transfusions and the "theory" that the earth revolved around the sun.


End of his run for p (Shawn Becker - 4/4/2006 11:27:20 PM)
End of his run for president?  More like the beginning.  2/3 of Americans believe stem cell research is the right thing to do, so its no wonder he is throwing his support behind it, and going against a president who right now is not very popular.  Sounds like a flip-flopper to me. 


This is tremendous n (jane - 4/4/2006 11:27:20 PM)
This is tremendous news! I commend Sen. Frist for his intelligent decision on stem-cell research. Parkinson's and Alzheimer's are horrendous diseases. Apparently, opponents to such research have never witnessed loved ones suffering from these diseases or they would be scrambling to find a cure. Thank you, Sen. Frist. God bless you!


Woah, if this is tru (Paul - 4/4/2006 11:27:20 PM)
Woah, if this is true, that's the end of Frist's candidacy for president.