Posted on 10/25/2005 12:00:26 PM PDT by frogjerk
Forrester Camp Calls It "Despicable"
(AP) NEWARK A paralyzed wrestler on Tuesday endorsed Jon S. Corzine in the latest gubernatorial ad, touting the Democratic U.S. senator's support of embryonic stem cell research.
The director of Doug Forrester's campaign responded that the Republican differs from Corzine only on the topic of who should pay for the research.
The 30-second television ad features a personal testimonial from Carl Riccio, a 19-year-old from Warren who lost the use of most of his limbs nearly three years ago during a match.
"Doug Forrester doesn't support embryonic stem cell research, therefore, I don't think he supports people like me and doctors who say a cure is coming," said Riccio, who is now a student at Villanova University in Pennsylvania.
The ad shows Riccio speaking from his wheelchair, as well as pictures of him wrestling and at the beach in a wheelchair.
"It's an emotional ad, certainly, and one wonders if it's too much, if it goes too far," questioned David Rebovich, a Rider University political analyst. "He's leading in the polls. Does he have to use a young person in a wheelchair to draw a distinction between his position and Forrester's?
"I think there are people who think it exploits this individual and his condition," Rebovich said. "After all, adult stem cell research might also lead to treatment and cures for the condition, and the ad makes it seem either or: Either you elect Jon Corzine or I stay in this wheelchair."
Forrester campaign director Sherry Sylvester objected to the ad.
"It is despicable that Jon Corzine is lying about Doug's position on embryonic stem cell research," Sylvester said. "The only difference between Doug's position and Corzine's is that Doug does not believe the state is in a financial position right now to borrow money for this research. Corzine, apparently, has no qualms about increasing debt.
"Doug is watching the new developments in embryonic stem cell research particularly closely, and with a great deal of hope, because he is the father of a daughter with a brain injury," Sylvester said.
Forrester's daughter, Briana, suffered a near fatal brain hemorrhage last year.
Many scientists believe embryonic stem cells, which can grow into all the other tissues in the body, could be used as a potential source of replacement tissue for people with a variety of ailments.
The ad began airing with two weeks left before the Nov. 8 election between Corzine, 58, the former CEO of the Wall Street firm Goldman Sachs, and Forrester, 52, co-owner of Benecard Services Inc., a prescription benefits company. Only New Jersey and Virginia are choosing governors this year.
Corzine has launched about twice as many ads as Forrester, and both are largely paying for their campaigns with their own checkbooks. They have already set a spending record for a New Jersey governor's race at $45 million and counting.
A Corzine radio ad that started Monday features the endorsement of former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley, a Democrat who served three terms after playing basketball for the New York Knicks.
Is the race still tied?
I saw the ad. The young man says that doctors told him that embryonic stem cell research would mean he would be cured of his paralysis.
OMG I just saw this commercial and was horrified. Does anyone know who this young man is so we can bombard him with facts???
SHEESH what a friggen outrage.
Unfortunately, Corzine is just following the dem/lib/socialist playbook -- exploit whoever you can, whenever you can, wherever you can, however you can, as much as you can -- whatever it takes to win. Doesn't matter if you lie, cheat, steal, or take advantage of someone's misfortune -- just as long as you win. Despicable pieces of excrement!
See, I toldja, Corzine likes wrestling around with sweaty guys who can't fight off his homosexual advances ping.
Owl_Eagle
(If what I just wrote makes you sad or angry,
it was probably sarcasm)
Do you have any updates on the race? A week or two ago the LSM was reporting that the race was tied. Funny I haven't seen a poll in the LSM since then. Hmmmmm, I wonder why?
Shameful. They are exploiting this poor young man by giving him false hopes
It is quite typical of Demoncrats to misrepresent the position of conservatives on the issue of stem cell research.
Reminds me of the time I broke my hand. After the surgery I asked the doctor if I'd be able to play the piano, he said of course. I answered good because I never had any luck with it prior to breaking my hand.
From what I have seen, it is still close to even.
unfortunately, Corzine is way up, especially among women. (my husband does election polls.) Forrester is not a candidate to arouse any enthusiasm, either by charisma or policy positions.
The only reason I'm voting for Forrester is because Corzine is positively Mengelian in his amoral love of "progress."
unfortunately, Corzine is way up, especially among women. (my husband does election polls.) Forrester is not a candidate to arouse any enthusiasm, either by charisma or policy positions.
The only reason I'm voting for Forrester is because Corzine is positively Mengelian in his amoral love of "progress."
unfortunately, Corzine is way up, especially among women. (my husband does election polls.) Forrester is not a candidate to arouse any enthusiasm, either by charisma or policy positions.
The only reason I'm voting for Forrester is because Corzine is positively Mengelian in his amoral love of "progress."
unfortunately, Corzine is way up, especially among women. (my husband does election polls.) Forrester is not a candidate to arouse any enthusiasm, either by charisma or policy positions.
The only reason I'm voting for Forrester is because Corzine is positively Mengelian in his amoral love of "progress."
I believe so.
that's what happens when you have a three year old on your lap.
"Bring out the Gimp!"
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