John Kerry is
ready to, with
a series of high-profile events this week that call into question the administration's commitment to science and breakthrough medicine.
The kick-off is the anniversary of Bush's stem cell decision, which seemed a lot more politically savvy three years ago than now (but that was in the pre-9/11 era where the press was still in honeymoon-mode, ignoring researchers' contemporary and very real doubts about cell line viability).
Now, three years after administration officials claimed they would make 78 cell lines and $100 million a year available for the controversial research, scientists and patient groups complain that the Bush policy is inadequate. Fewer than two dozen cell lines are available, and the budget for embryonic stem cell studies is $25 million.
One of the major differences between these two candidates is their attitude toward science, the deliberate persuit of wedge issues, and the blending of the two for election purposes. What should be non-partisan or bipartisan becomes nothing more than another issue whose major function is to serve the campaign at least as much as the needs of the country. But far too often, by doing so the current administration finds itself (surprise... yet again) on the wrong side of the issue. It isn't just stem cell research, it's science and medicine policy in its broadest form.
"This is an issue with legs," said Democratic pollster Peter Hart, who has measured 70 percent support nationwide for embryonic stem cell research. He predicted that Kerry will attract support from disease sufferers and families who otherwise agree with Bush on public policy but feel "alienated" by his decision to restrict federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
While reasonable people can disagree about the nuanced sides of the stem cell issue, the general direction of allowing the research to proceed (as presented by Ron Reagan during the convention in Boston and endorsed today by John Kerry) has widespread and deep support. Having politicized this issue three years ago, Bush will have no choice but to watch as the Reagans and countless other American families take the opportunity to make their feelings known between now and November.