KBH Comes out in Support of Stem Cell Research in Texas
By Byron LaMasters
This was a story last week, but I it deserves a mention still. I completely agree that Texas will quickly be "left in the dust" by California and other states if we fail to pick up the mantle of research left to the states by the large scale inaction of the federal government, and the Bush administration. The AP reports:
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison said Friday that state leaders should work with Gov. Rick Perry and the Legislature to develop a stem-cell research policy that keeps Texas from being "left in the dust by California."
Hutchison, a potential 2006 Republican primary challenger to Perry, referred to a landmark $3 billion initiative to fund stem-cell research passed by California voters in the November election.
The senator's comments came as she addressed University of Texas regents and medical college presidents at a special health issues retreat in Dallas.
"I think that Texas needs to have a responsible, ethical policy regarding stem-cell research," Hutchison said after the meeting. "I think if we are going to stay in the forefront of scientific discoveries, we are going to have to find an ethical way to keep the state-of-the-art experiments on stem cells and how they can displace unhealthy cells in people's bodies.
"This is the way we're going to be able to cure many forms of cancer, Alzheimer's, Hodgkin's Disease," added Hutchison, who said she has made no decision on a possible gubernatorial race.
Robert Black, a Perry spokesman, said he had no immediate response to Hutchison's remarks.
Even in "red" Texas, I think stem cell research is a winning issue in a general election, although I'm not so sure about how it would play in a GOP primary. If KBH can show that she doesn't hate gay people, it might just throw the social conervative base of the Texas GOP into a tizzy. That would make Sen. Hutchison a baby-killing, homosexual-pandering, stem-cell supportin' feminazi, right?
Update: Rick Perry vs. the World echoes my thoughts (or am I echoing his?). Anyway, he (or is it a he?) writes:
It seems odd for KBH to be making an issue out of stem cell research. That might be a good general campaign issue, but this seems likely to break against her in a Republican primary. It appears to hand Perry an issue where he can attempt to paint himself as closer to George W. Bush than KBH. Also, GOP primary voters probably don't want to hear a candidate contrast California favorably with Texas.
Good point.
Posted by Byron LaMasters at December 13, 2004 11:10 AM
| TrackBack
This is the interesting part of media spin. Yes, KBH did talk about stem cell research. She mentioned it briefly as at a meeting with the UT regents, then the media followed up with a question or two after the meeting. She does differ from Perry on the topic. That's all true.
But what is interesting is how the media plays it. And how you titled this item. Does she feel strongly? Well, uh, maybe. While Hutchison was clearly more passionate about UT system issues, more interested in other topics, this was the one the reporter chose to pursue. Because it was topical. Not because it appeared to be a burning issue to KBH. Just an easy story to post. KBH feels differently about stem cell research than RP. etc.
The glorious world of journalism.
And I don't want to negate that stem cell research might be an issue in the election. It really might be and it might push things around. It's just interesting to see, from the inside, what other people from the outside end up seeing.
Kimberly
quorum report, et al
