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In non-Vilsack news, it’s worth pointing out that the Iowa State House approved stem cell research last night by a vote by a vote of 52-46. The bill passed despite heavy Republican opposition. Stem cell research was one of the major issues that Chet Culver ran on in 2006 and Chet came out heavily in favor of stem cell research before the legislative session. This bill will make sure that life saving research can take place and, in particular, take place in Iowa. It’s an important milestone that got buried by Tom Vilsack dropping out this morning. It’s pointing out and reminding people that although Iowa will not be home to the next President, it may be home to a cure for cancer, Parkinson’s Disease or another terrible disease.
February 23rd, 2007
Chet Culver announced a major initiative yesterday to provide $12.5 million in state funds for embryonic stem cell research. Stem cell research was a major talking point of Chet’s during the campaign and it’s not at all a surprise that he’s following through with it. Although Iowa will still be far behind other states like California, which has allocated up to $3 billion over the next ten years for embryonic stem cell research and our neighbors in Illinois who have allocated $15 million, it’s still a good start. Hopefully, with Democratic majorities in both Houses, legislation to make state funding of embryonic stem cell research legal will breeze through the legislature along with the necessary appropriations.
However, Chet did draw some criticism. Betty DeBoef, the Danny Carroll clone with spelling issues, doesn’t see the need for stem cell research. In fact, she thinks “it’s more about abortion rights than it is about finding cures for people.” This is reassuring to know. I always thought that Michael J. Fox was merely motivated by self interest. Frankly, Betty DeBoef wasn’t much good at smearing Eric Palmer during the election and she’s even worse at trying to attack Chet Culver’s attempt to make sure that the hundreds of thousands of Iowans suffering dieases and ailments ranging from paralysis to Parkinson’s might one day be cured. In fact, maybe stem cell research might even help Betty one day, provided that it could help doctors find a cure for Foot In Mouth Disease.
January 26th, 2007
Michael J. Fox is campaigning with Iowa Democratic gubernatorial hopeful, Chet Culver, according to the front page of the Des Moines Register. Fox, who has Parkinson’s disease, recently become a more outspoken critic of bans on embryonic stem cell research for the potential that research has to save lives (Nancy also agrees by the way). Fox filmed a now famous ad for Democrat Claire McCaskill who is running for Senate in neighboring Missouri. If you haven’t seen it yet, you should definitely check it out; it’s a bit upsetting, but it hits home at how important this issue — and this election — really is. Not surprisingly the right-wing smear machine went at Fox full blast with Rush Limbaugh leading the charge (though he recently was forced to apologize to Fox). It also seems like GOP hopes that there could be a backlash have not worked out. From a Newsweek poll pointed out by Hotline On Call, 62% of registered voters who saw the the ad believe it was “acceptable” while only 32% believe the ad was “too extreme.”
For Democrats, this is an issue that is the right thing to do politically and the right thing to do morally. There is also a clear choice on this one between Culver and Nussle (Culver supports, Nussle doesn’t) and finally kudos to Fox for being brave enough to fight. Let’s win this election gawdamnit.
October 31st, 2006
