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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 (48)
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Chicago Sun-Times reports today
"Uncharacteristically low turnout for Barack Obama rally in Green Bay, Wisc."
Well I assume there was no free rock concert this time.
Posted by: geevill | Sep 23, 2008 1:32:01 PM
LOL, CNN(and others) threatened to remove their cameras from the UN photo op today after the McCain campaign tried to prevent a pool producer from being there.
Seriously, who is this Candidate McCain? I barely recognize the guy.
His campaign seems like it has been assembled using the sleaziest parts of past Republican campaigns.
Posted by: Ryan C | Sep 23, 2008 1:28:40 PM
12 days left for Obama to drop Biden!!
I place bets he will wait until after the debate on Oct 2, then drop Biden and put in someone more liberal, or Hilary!
But he does not want the new choice to go up in a debate!!
After Oct 5 he is stuck with Biden!!
Posted by: spock | Sep 23, 2008 1:26:17 PM
Jake are you able to keep up with fact checking Obama, he changes his position so quick that I wonder how many ads he did had to be redone, or how fast his 300 aids heads are spinning.
First of all there is NO proof babies stem cells cure anything, there should be no federal money spent on it, if there was a cure from it the private market would invest. why should we the tax payers support research to make the drug companies rich. but again there is proven developments with Adult stem cells.
All this is is for the elitists to get more tax payer money, otherwise they would not spend 30 million dollars on ads for the research they would donate the 30 million dollars to do the research!
Posted by: spock | Sep 23, 2008 1:24:15 PM
Time to hire some temps to shore up the "Oh That Joe" workolad
Posted by: smith | Sep 23, 2008 1:23:34 PM
riley,
McCain and Palin have nothing in common, except for, Oil Tycoon Advisors. And Both are for a quick first-strike WAR.
For stem cell research
Palin no
McCain flip-flopping
Has passed many anti-gun laws
Palin no
McCain definatley
Pro-choice
Palin no
Mccain Yes
Knows where Spain is
Palin yes
McCain still flip-flopping
Posted by: historyforgotten | Sep 23, 2008 1:19:24 PM
When I see a remark from any camp, I research everything I can on that subject.
Past. Present. and a possible Future.
But this only leads to a personal opinion.
I could state all kinds of facts, but you will only see it as an opinion.
You, yourself must study, what You want to learn.
If You do not want to know more, about Palin. Then you will know, no more, than you do.
Posted by: historyforgotten | Sep 23, 2008 1:08:38 PM
Biden needs to drop out to save his own career.
He's stuck with a wimpy lightweight that is dragging him down.
Posted by: harry | Sep 23, 2008 1:07:47 PM
Looks like the Chicago thug is going to have to get in Biden's face to make him shut up.
Biden doesn't seem to agree with many of BO's views.
Obama didn't have the backbone or good judgement to pick Hillary--so he's stuck with ding dong Biden.
Posted by: riley | Sep 23, 2008 1:05:48 PM
Oh, that Joe! FDR got on tv during the stock market crash of 1929.
Posted by: geevill | Sep 23, 2008 1:02:37 PM
"What no one seems to be getting here is that with all of the millions that have already been poured into Embryonic stem cell research is that its been money wasted. Nothing positive has come of it."
Only if you listen to right wing rags, Chris.
"Using embryonic stem cells, Mayo Clinic researchers transformed these master cell types into fully functional cardiac cells and transplanted them into damaged regions of the myocardium, where the cells integrated into the infarct and showed rapid and robust improvements, which were stable over an extended period post-therapy."
" University of Iowa researchers say Leukemia patients may soon have another way to boost their immune systems -- embryonic stem cells."
Posted by: Ryan C | Sep 23, 2008 12:48:36 PM
--What no one seems to be getting here is that with all of the millions that have already been poured into Embryonic stem cell research is that its been money wasted. Nothing positive has come of it.
All of the stem cell advancements to date has come from Adult stem cell therapy. Checkout Regenocyte to learn about how adult stem cell therapy is currently saving lives.--
That's what they tell you. :)
Posted by: historyforgotten | Sep 23, 2008 12:46:45 PM
What no one seems to be getting here is that with all of the millions that have already been poured into Embryonic stem cell research is that its been money wasted. Nothing positive has come of it.
All of the stem cell advancements to date has come from Adult stem cell therapy.
Posted by: Chris | Sep 23, 2008 12:44:02 PM
HAHA is unfairly attacking Sarah Palin with the tuning fork reference. Samantha needs to turn him over to PUMA.
Posted by: ricky | Sep 23, 2008 12:43:02 PM
Oh, that Joe! Eliminate coal jobs in the US. Take that PA, WV, KY, et. al.
Posted by: geevill | Sep 23, 2008 12:42:00 PM
Vote Independant
Posted by: historyforgotten | Sep 23, 2008 12:39:57 PM
The complaint here is that Obama has only been accurate part of the time in portraying McCain's opposition to stem cell research because McCain has only opposed it part of his career. The ad will probably be right again in a week.
Posted by: ricky | Sep 23, 2008 12:38:48 PM
Concerned in OH, The same way that Palin says her oil company already has oil resereves, but McCains Oil Tycoon Advisors, has contracted NOT to share with all America yet. Its called fixings the energy market, in hopes to 'Buy' McCain into office. Then they will buy your morgages for homes and businesses. They will in fact, be buying your life, at a cheap price.
Senator Stevens of Alaska, may turn out to have a little leverage on Palin. :)
Just wait and see.
Posted by: historyforgotten | Sep 23, 2008 12:38:44 PM
"We now know that the DNC did everything in their power to make sure Barack Obama would be the nominee. Never mind what the voters wanted, this is the year the DNC decided to nominate a black man. Anyone who thought Hillary Clinton was the better candidate was screamed at, called a racist, and told to either stand aside or get out of the Party. The DNC even scheduled their convention so the winner would accept the nomination on the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech.
Now I see that the first presidential debate this Friday between Barack Obama and John McCain will take place at “Ole Miss”–the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi. Could there be a more favorable site for Obama? It looks like the Debate committee decided to give us another “teachable moment.” The cable networks must be salivating at this opportunity to give their favorite candidate another boost. "
PUMA
I love PUMA.
Posted by: Samantha | Sep 23, 2008 12:38:39 PM
McCain switch position too fast. He looks like a vibrating tuning fork.
Posted by: HAHA | Sep 23, 2008 12:37:02 PM
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