Stem Cells and the President - An Inside Account (MUST READ!)

Commentary Magazine ^ | January 2008 | Jay Lefkowitz

[L.N. Smithee]

On August 9, 2001, President Bush announced a compromise decision on the contentious question of whether the federal government should provide financial support for research into the curative properties of human stem cells extracted from embryos.

Bush’s compromise allowed funding for research into embryonic stem cells that had already been harvested. At the same time, he disallowed funding for procedures that would collect stem cells from frozen (but still living) embryos, since doing so would require their destruction. In the case of those already collected, he said, “The life-or-death decision has already been made.” But that life-or-death decision would not be made anew with taxpayer dollars.

This decision pleased no one. The New York Times set the stage for what would become an enduring critique of Bush and the Republican party when it declared the next morning that the new policy would severely “hamper the government’s ability to spur this important new area of medical research.”

The President got a chilly reception from his supporters on the Right as well. Comparing certain kinds of stem-cell research to the practices of Josef Mengele, the notorious Nazi doctor, Ken Connor of the socially conservative Family Research Council called the decision a “blot” on Bush’s record. Judie Brown, the president of the American Life League, told the Times that the President “can no longer describe himself as pro-life.”

[L.N. Smithee]

As the White House official primarily responsible for advising the President on this issue, I had a unique perspective on the controversy surrounding it and on the making of the policy announced in August 2001. Now that this policy appears to have been both vindicated and superseded, it seems to me legitimate to speak publicly about the mechanics of what happened inside the White House during those months.

It's a long read, but well worth the time, especially if the last few years have made you believe that George W. Bush is a simpleton whose mind is made up only by looking at polls and slavishly asking Dick Cheney for guidance.

I am not a Bush cheerleader. He's disappointed me a LOT in the past almost seven years. But presuming Lefkowitz's account is factual -- and I have no reason to believe it's not -- Bush's finest hour, IMHO, was not after 9/11, but a month before.

[neverdem]

stem cell ping

[paudio]

ping for later

[avacado]

Excellent article and highly interesting regarding the background to GWB’s stem cell decision.

[SuziQ]

Once I began turning in my memos, a day rarely passed when he did not call with a follow-up request or a question about something he had read. It was clear that in addition to the material I submitted, he was also finding other things to read and was talking about stem cells with friends and intimates.

Amazing how such a stupid, simple man as GWB could follow such a discussion! (Just channelling those who suffer from BDS)

[TheSarce]

Bioethics ping...

[Dr. Scarpetta]

In 2006, a close Senate race in Missouri tilted decisively toward the Democrats after the airing of an emotionally affecting television advertisement featuring the actor Michael J. Fox, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease and who attacked the Republican candidate for his retrograde position on the matter. That victory in Missouri was a key factor in the Democratic takeover of the Senate from the GOP in November.

Extremely interesting article! I'm going to print it out. I used to contribute to the Michael J. Fox Foundation because my mother has Parkinson's, but I haven't since he made those ads. I just tear them up now when they come in the mail.

[AnimalLover]

bttt

[victim soul]

His two finest hours : Stem Cell Research decision and trying to save Terri Schiavo.

[8mmMauser]

Pinged from Terri Dailies

8mm

[syriacus]

Thanks for posting this.

[TheLion]

Ping!

[La Enchiladita]

LOL... isn’t it?
And the DummyRats call him an idiot; yet, when it comes to brain cells, they don’t even have two to rub together!!

[VOA]

I am not a Bush cheerleader. He's disappointed me a LOT in the
past almost seven years.

Same here...illegal immigration, not being TOUGH on trying to fix
Soc. Security/retirement funding.

But I otherwise respect the guy.
And at this remove must have to admit in one regard he's the victim
of his own success: no further real terrorist attack on mainland
USA (that we know of!) since 9-11.

On 9-12-01, I'd have bet plenty of money we were going to have at
least another "9-11" before the end...of Dubya's first term.