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August 08, 2005
Stem Cells a Strong Issue for Democrats
The public is solidly behind stem cell research. According to a Summer 2005 poll from Research America, 34% strongly favor and 24% somewhat favor embryonic stem cell research. An MSNBC article titled What’s the Public to Make of Debate notes a Washington Post/ABC news poll that found 68% of Americans supported stem cell research. The article also notes “such levels of support have been consistent for nearly two years.” A May 24 2005 CBS news poll found 58% of Americans supporting stem cell research. Perhaps most importantly, the Pew Research Project observed in Beyond Red v. Blue, “stem cell research deeply divides the Republican party.” In an electoral environment where the Republicans have successfully used wedge politics, stem cell research provides Democrats with a strong wedge issue of their own.
Posted by Hale Stewart at August 8, 2005 05:58 PM | Permalink
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Comments
Amen! If they can put gay marriage amendments on the ballots in eleven states in a presidential year, why can't we benefit from a few wedge issues of our own? The difference will be that our wedge issues deal with the improvement of people's lives, while their wedge issues deal with bigotry and curtailing of civil rights.
That is why it is heartening to see below that Chris Bell has joined StemPAC. What do you think, Hale, of having ballot amendments for both stem cells and for an increase in the minimum wage? And, in red states, what are our chances of getting these wedge issues on ballots?
Posted by: Marguerite Reed at August 8, 2005 07:07 PM
Yes on both.
Posted by: HS ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.houstondemocrats.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at August 8, 2005 08:54 PM