On
Swing State Project, DAVIDNYC discusses the Stem Cell ballot measure that is
splitting the Missouri Republican Party.
Stem cell research is once again driving a wedge within Missouri's Republican Party, pitting business interests who bankroll its campaigns against the social conservatives who help pack the polls.
Some fear that the dispute could spill over into some of the GOP's key contests on the November 2006 ballot -- especially the re-election bid of U.S. Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo.
The concern is that the Republican Party's infighting could repel its voters or donors. "If you split our base, what does that do to you in a tough election year?" asked state Rep. Jim Lembke, R-south St. Louis County. "This could get messy."
And poor ol' Jim Talentless is stuck in the middle.
Talent is in the toughest position, initiative opponents say, because he is a co-sponsor of federal legislation that would ban various forms of embryonic stem cell research that the initiative seeks to protect.
Anti-abortion groups, who long have been among his core supporters, say he must oppose the initiative or lose their support.
"That's what we expect of him," said Sam Lee, head of Campaign Life Missouri, an anti-abortion lobbying group. "We expect him to be a leader."
But anti-abortion activists fear that Talent may choose to side with Fox and other business allies instead.
Damnit Clare, take the opening!!
Talent's Democratic rival -- state Auditor Claire McCaskill -- is underscoring her general support for stem cell research, although a spokesman added that she still needs to study the initiative before taking an official position.
"Claire McCaskill strongly supports research into lifesaving cures and would never support criminalizing it," said spokesman Tony Wyche.
I think, and I hope, that she will come out in support of the ballot measure. The fact is that the Republicans are split between those who believe in science and those with an aversion. Now, imagine putting this on the ballot in such states as Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Florida, Colorado and Arizona. Republicans in these and other states would most likely experience similar rifts and create holes big enough for us to drive a truck through. Lesson learned: Divide and Conquer.