Uh-oh. A glance at Sununu's own Senate page tells me that he would do well to get his sneakers on, because he just might need to do some more sprintin'. But not on Iraq. Or health care. Or climate change. Is there an issue in which John E. isn't out of step with Granite Staters?Tuesday, Apr 10, 2007
10:00 a.m.: Convene and begin a period of morning business.
Thereafter, proceed en bloc to the consideration of S. 5, and S. 30, on stem cells. Here's the meat of the Senate bill S.5:`(a) In General- Notwithstanding any other provision of law (including any regulation or guidance), the Secretary shall conduct and support research that utilizes human embryonic stem cells in accordance with this section (regardless of the date on which the stem cells were derived from a human embryo). Back in July of 2006, something remarkable happened: both parties in Congress came together on an issue that had broad bi-partisan support. Indeed, Congress' stem cell vote (the bill currently on the docket in the Senate is essentially a repeat of that one) remains the one thorn in Bush's heretofore veto-proof skin. In New Hampshire, our entire federal delegation supported it, including Jeb Bradley:Bradley said he supported the bill because it would enhance research on stem cell lines "while maintaining strict ethical standards." ...Charlie Bass:Increased embryonic stem cell research provides hope for the millions of Americans suffering from diabetes, Parkinson's, spinal injuries, and other conditions scientists believe some day may be treated by this research. The issue is about improving the quality of life for these individuals while also setting strict ethical guidelines that do not exist today." ...even typically cartoon-villainish Judd Gregg:"we should expand this promising area of research." Well, almost the entire delegation. When you're to the right of Judd Gregg, it's no wonder you poll at 34% despite the institutional advantages of incumbency. Come follow John E.'s illogic. After citing an inflated number (78) of eligible stem cell lines (the real number is less than 22, according to - gasp - Jeb Bradley), Sununu said:"Unfortunately, to this date, this research has not resulted in a single human clinical trial of new therapies. This is the classic Norquistian line of defense: point out the meagre results of an inadequately funded program, and then use the lack of success as an indicator that the program itself is a failure.
Anyone who has been here longer than a few hours knows how much I want better representation in 2008 than what we have in Sununu. But trust me when I say that I really hope he sees the light this time, even if it's simply due to the fact that he realizes he's waded deep in the forest of electoral vulnerability. Or to put it another way, I'll take a flip-flopper any day over someone so radically out of touch with science, progress, and the will of the people. |
