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From the Fact Check Desk: Stem Cell Selling
September 23, 2008 12:05 PM
The campaigns of both Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., are running radio ads on embryonic stem cell research. McCain is doing so to highlight his maverick and more moderate positions; Obama is doing so to paint McCain as an extremist.
Both candidates mislead voters by glossing over or ignoring inconvenient facts.
The script for the Obama radio ad is as follows:
Jody: My name is Jody Montgomery and my daughter Maddy was diagnosed with Type I Juvenile Diabetes at age 3. Six times a day, I take her blood. Six times a day, I pray for a cure. Researchers are working hard to do just that. Our best hope is stem cell research, and that’s why we support Barack Obama.
ANNOUNCER: Stem cell research could unlock cures for diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer’s, too. But John McCain has stood in the way ... he's opposed stem cell research. Picked a running mate who's against it ... And he’s running on a platform even more extreme than George Bush's on this vital research. John McCain doesn’t understand that medical research benefiting millions shouldn’t be held hostage by the political views of a few.
Jody: For Maddy and millions of others, stem cell research can unlock cures. Barack Obama understands that. But John McCain just doesn’t.
The script for the McCain campaign radio ad -- which you can listen to HERE -- is as follows:
ANNOUNCER: They're the original mavericks. Leaders. Reformers. Fighting for real change. John McCain will lead his congressional allies to improve America's health. Stem cell research to unlock the mystery of cancer, diabetes, heart disease. Stem cell research to help free families from the fear and devastation of illness. Stem cell research to help doctors repair spinal cord damage, knee injuries, serious burns. Stem cell research to help stroke victims. And, John McCain and his congressional allies will invest millions more in new NIH medical research to prevent disease. Medical breakthroughs to help you get better, faster. Change is coming. McCain-Palin and congressional allies. The leadership and experience to really change Washington and improve your health. Paid for by McCain-Palin 2008 and the Republican National Committee.
**
A little background here.
It wasn't until 2001 that McCain supported federal funding of research involving embryonic stem cell research.
Before then, he opposed it.
In February 2000, McCain was one of 20 Republican senators who wrote to the National Institutes of Health to disallow draft rules that would allow scientists to use embryonic stem cells in research.
"Clearly, the destruction of human embryos is an integral part of the contemplated research, in violation of the law," McCain and the 19 other senators wrote. "In December, N.I.H. officials proposed regulations allowing the agency to finance research on stem cells, a promising but controversial approach to treating disease. They said the policy would not conflict with the ban. The draft rules would permit researchers, supported by the agency, to use stem cells from suppliers who had received no N.I.H. money to support the work."
But on July 15, 2001, McCain went on "Meet the Press" and told Tim Russert that he had flip-flopped on the issue.
Why?
"I've looked at the issue more carefully," McCain said. "I have talked with numerous scientific experts. I believe that under stringent safeguards and under the most rigorous kinds of procedures, that this can help in finding the cure for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other serious diseases. I had supported, in the past, fetal tissue research, and this is an earlier stage, as you know, of the process. So, I think it's an issue that I was educated on."
Since then, McCain has been a reliable vote in favor of allowing federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.
Thus, when Obama's radio ad says, "John McCain has stood in the way ... he's opposed stem cell research," it is misleading voters by not pointing out that McCain changed his mind on the issue seven years ago and currently supports stem cell research. The ad cleverly uses the word "has" to imply that McCain still opposes the research -- which is not true.
Moreover, the ad's assertion that "John McCain doesn’t understand that medical research benefiting millions shouldn’t be held hostage by the political views of a few," is debatable. McCain says he supports the research and has voted in favor of it, as recently as 2007.
**
But, where McCain misleads voters is how he glosses over everything except for that relatively short-lived position.
Most glaring in its obfuscation, the ad sells the "McCain-Palin" ticket as supporting this research, but fails to mention Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin opposes embryonic stem cell research, as she said in a 2006 gubernatorial debate: "stem cell research would ultimately end in the destruction of life. I couldn’t support it."
Moreover, the 2008 Republican Party Platform is clearly opposed to this research, stating "we call for a major expansion of support for the stem cell research that now shows amazing promise and offers the greatest hope for scores of diseases -- with adult stem cells, umbilical cord blood, and cells reprogrammed into pluripotent stem cells -- without the destruction of embryonic human life. We call for a ban on human cloning and a ban on the creation of or experimentation on human embryos for research purposes."
And some informed observers wonder if McCain remains committed to the cause.
Are McCain and his campaign sending signals of some sort? National Right to Life Committee executive director David O’Steen told The Hill last month that those who oppose abortion rights believe McCain's mind is open on the subject of stem cell research.
Several advocates of embryonic stem cell research told the Associated Press this week that they're no longer certain where McCain is on this issue. McCain campaign spokeswoman Sarah Lenti told the AP that McCain "still supports easing federal restrictions and 'his position hasn't changed.' But she declined to say specifically what McCain would do if elected."
In June, McCain met privately in Ohio with a number of wary Christian conservative activists. The Los Angeles Times reported that McCain “told the small assembly that he was open to learning more about their opposition to embryonic stem cell research, despite his past disagreements with them on the issue. ... McCain listened as one of the country's leading opponents of using embryonic stem cells, Dr. John Willke, made the case for relying on adult cells. Some scientists have reported finding ways to manipulate human skin cells to have properties similar to embryonic stem cells. Several participants said McCain did not offer any indication he would change his mind, but they said they were impressed that he appeared open to Willke's points."
Ohio Right to Life executive director Mike Gonidakis told the Times that "It appears as if he's willing to at least look at the science and decide which way he goes from there."
And while McCain in his radio ad heralds the "congressional allies" who will help him push this research, one of those key allies -- the chief House Republican in favor of embryonic stem cell research, Rep. Mike Castle, D-Del. -- told The Hill last month that, while McCain had the right voting record on the issue, he wasn’t sure McCain as president would support the cause.
"The question becomes: Will the pro-life movement be able to persuade him otherwise, between now and the election?" said Castle.
In short, Obama overstates McCain's opposition to embryonic stem cell research.
But McCain implies that Palin shares his views on this issue, which isn't true.
And while not an item to fact check, per se, McCain has sure caused a lot of advocates for that research -- including the "congressional allies" he mentions in the ad -- to doubt how committed he remains to their cause.
- jpt
September 23, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (49)
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Just read the Republican Party platform - they are OPPOSED to stem cell research.
Posted by: Tom in Hastings | Sep 29, 2008 9:35:45 PM
The author needs to revisit the fact check desk.
John McCain's campaign website clearly states: "As president, John McCain will strongly support funding for promising research programs, including amniotic fluid and adult stem cell research and other types of scientific study that do not involve the use of human embryos."
NO EMBRYOS. Period. Obama's ad is truthful.
Posted by: Daniel Z | Sep 25, 2008 11:00:42 PM
Those in the mainstream media I'm sure believe that the public should be as educated as possible on science matters, most especially when science and politics overlap. That means that their keeping-them-honest "fact checkers" should start educating the public on the fact that there isn't one "stem cell research," but different types. Does Palin oppose "stem cell research" across-the-board, or merely embryonic stem cell research? And the media itself should make sure it doesn't lump all stem cell research together when the differences count. In an interview with McCain not long ago, 60 Minutes referred to him as being different from Republicans for being "for stem cell research."
Posted by: Erika | Sep 25, 2008 2:18:02 AM
Roland, re your comment:
According to the latest poll 58% of Clinton supporters now support Obama! Me thinks he doesn't have a chance in hell to win!
I'm confused and don't know which he you are referring to. Just want some clarification.
Posted by: H. Dunn | Sep 23, 2008 9:05:00 PM
Go Obama,
At least if he raises taxes on those
over $250,000/yr, maybe we can get some money back from those CEO's like Carli,and the others.
Posted by: FL | Sep 23, 2008 7:01:32 PM
I don't always think that it is a bad thing to change your position on something. McSame deserves credit for the fact that he says that he changed his position because he feels that he is now better educated on the issue.
My problem with McSame is that he changes positions almost daily. Even though he has no chance of winning my vote I commend him on being on the right side of this issue even if it took him awhile to get there.
Also, instead of attacking Palin we should be encouraging her to speak for her self and answer questions from the press. If she is going to be on the McSame ticket then maybe she should try some Strait talk herself!!!
Posted by: Libralwithagun | Sep 23, 2008 6:42:05 PM
Sarah, absolutely correct. However there is still the issue of all those unused frozen embryos. In the early days of IVF, many more embryos than were needed were created in order to maximize the mother's chances of becoming pregnant. Not everyone who has embryos in storage is comfortable with the idea of donating the extras for adoption. So what to do with all those extra embryos that have already been created? As opposed to discarding them, how about using them for the good of all of humankind?
Posted by: mila | Sep 23, 2008 2:52:06 PM
McCain is not pro-life in that he believes it should continue to be "legal" to murder by abortion innocent unborn children in the womb because they are there as a result of rape or incest. He is, as is Obama, on this subject, a moral idiot.
John Lofton, Editor
TheAmericanView.com
JLof@aol.com
We are a real Christian site, NOT Republican Party cheerleaders.
Posted by: John Lofton, Recovering Republican | Sep 23, 2008 2:47:20 PM
There is a huge difference between "stem cell research" and "embryonic stem cell research." Embryonic stem cell research is only one kind of stem cell research, and of course, the most controversial kind (as it should be - it hits on a major bio ethical dilemma). You can support stem cell research (as many pro-lifers do) *without* supporting embryonic stem cell research, and it's important to make that clarification when discussing policies on this issue.
Posted by: Sarah | Sep 23, 2008 2:42:50 PM
If Biden doesn't support Obama's bridge to nowhere why should I?
Posted by: Roland | Sep 23, 2008 2:31:38 PM
"Geez, Palin drew 60,000 in Florida"
Palin drew about 25000 according to non campaign flunkies.
Why do right wingers continually lie about Palin's crowd size?
She gets big crowds so why lie about the actual number of attendees?
Posted by: Ryan C | Sep 23, 2008 2:20:40 PM
Speaking of stem cell research, would Obama use the living embryos dismantled from their mothers' wombs in a botched up late-term abortion...... those wee living beings literally tossed into a trash tray with no succor or assistance while they are still beathing....
Would Obama ecourage the use of the stem cells of these soon-to-be corpses... for research?
I am in favor of stem cell research... and pro choice.... but Obama goes too far.... in too many areas... like this one!
Partial birth abortions....wee bodies still breathing... dying all alone, unheld......
Posted by: questioner | Sep 23, 2008 2:18:02 PM
According to the latest poll 58% of Clinton supporters now support Obama! Me thinks he doesn't have a chance in hell to win!
Posted by: Roland | Sep 23, 2008 2:13:58 PM
Palin on doing things in DC.
“As the governor of Alaska, I did things like put the state's checkbook online so that everybody could see where the money was being sent,” Palin said.
“We want to do the same thing in D.C. John wants to do the same thing with the Treasury deal. We believe that the American people have the right to know which firms the Treasury is helping and what that selection is based on and how much that help will cost you. It's your money and you do have a right to know where it's going."
It would be admirable if it weren't an example of her cluelessness.
The government's checkbook is up and running online thanks to Senators Coburn & Obama who have expanded their original transparency act (something McCain also cosponsored).
Posted by: Ryan C | Sep 23, 2008 2:09:43 PM
Why would you take Mike Castle's opinion over what John McCain says
he would support?
As McCain said once before, in denouncing the words someone closer to him than Mikc Castle had implied he had said, "----- DOES NOT SPEAK FOR JOHN MCCAIN; "JOHN MCCAIN SPEAKS FOR JOHN MCCAIN"!
Would you credit Obama with some of the silly stuff Joe Biden says ?
Naah!
It would be too much to ask, I guess, for the moderator of this blog, at least, to be undescriminating and non judgemental.
Posted by: Just Thinking | Sep 23, 2008 2:07:51 PM
LOL....even the embedded reporters from FoxNews are getting testy about the McCain campaign's refusal to allow Palin to answer questions.
Posted by: Ryan C | Sep 23, 2008 2:02:45 PM
Jake, you say " But where McCain misleads voters is how he glosses over everything except for that relatively short-lived position. "
However, it is a relatively short-lived issue. Stem cell research gained its first federal funding (limited as it was) in 2001, after the original breakthroughs were made via private funding in 1998. The NIH recommended to Clinton in 1995 that he support research on existing embryos, but not to support creating embryos for research purposes.
It is virtually impossible to have a long-lived position on federal funding for stem cell research.
Posted by: MayBee | Sep 23, 2008 1:59:29 PM
When the stock market crashed, Franklin Roosevelt got on the television and didn't just talk about the princes of greed," Biden told Couric.
Oh, that Joe! More editions than a Time-Life series.
Posted by: geevill | Sep 23, 2008 1:42:52 PM
"Chicago Sun-Times reports today
"Uncharacteristically low turnout for Barack Obama rally in Green Bay, Wisc." "
Geevil even National Review called the Obama & McCain-Palin crowds in Green Bay (around 8000 people) about even.
Posted by: Ryan C | Sep 23, 2008 1:39:40 PM
Yes Biden may have made a gaffe about FDR appearing on TV, although you will note that Biden did not specify if FDR was speaking about a current event or an historical one. FDR first spoke on TV in 1939. And Michelle Malkin, bless her lack of heart, is also WRONG about when TV was invented. TV DID exist in 1929, several experimental broadcasts had already been successful at that time. FDR began his "Fireside Chats" on radio in 1929 when he was Governor of New York. It is not inconceivable to think that discussed the Stock Market crash in one of broadcasts.
Posted by: mila | Sep 23, 2008 1:35:18 PM
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