Bush: Kerry Misleading Public On Stem-Cell Issue
Kerry Promises $100 Million Per Year For Stem-Cell Research
POSTED: 5:34 PM EDT October 4, 2004
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At a town meeting in Hampton, N.H., the Democratic presidential nominee accused President George W. Bush of being close-minded on the issue, saying Bush is "stubborn, he's out of touch, he's unwilling to change." Kerry said Bush has chosen "to sacrifice science for right wing ideology."
Kerry is promising $100 million a year for stem-cell research and strict ethical oversight. He was introduced by actor Michael J. Fox, a stem-cell activist who has Parkinson's disease. Many scientists believe stem cells hold promise for treating diseases including Parkinson's.
The controversial practice uses days-old human embryos to grow new cells. Since the embryos are destroyed after the cells are extracted, some religious and conservative organizations liken it to abortion.
The president has limited federal funding for stem cell research to 78 embryonic stem-cell lines that were in existence when he issued his executive order on Aug. 9, 2001. But only about 21 of those original stem cell lines may actually be available to researchers due to ownership and other problems.
The Bush-Cheney campaign accused Kerry of misleading the public, saying the Democratic nominee is attacking a research ban "that doesn't exist." Spokesman Steve Schmidt said Bush's decision shows the government's commitment to using stem-cell research in an ethical way.
Bush Blasts Kerry, Who Leads In New Poll
Bush is attacking Kerry on several other fronts as he campaigns in Iowa -- a state the president narrowly lost four years ago.
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Bush first signed an extension of several middle class tax cuts and charged Kerry voted against them.
Kerry's campaign says the Democrat's tax cut package would do even more for middle-class Americans.
Bush also charged that Kerry wants to nationalize health care. He said Kerry favors a system "that's creeping toward Hillary care." That's a reference to the New York senator's effort as first lady to establish a nationwide health care system.
Bush also warned a crowd of 3,000 supporters that Kerry's plans to combat terrorism are "dangerous to world peace."
Bush's appearance in Iowa was his 17th in the state.
Meanwhile, Kerry stumped in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania on Monday, cheered by new polls showing he has erased the lead Bush held through much of September.
A Newsweek poll actually had Kerry ahead, though by less than the margin of error. A CNN/USA Today poll following Thursday's debate has the two candidates dead even.
Kerry spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter paraphrases Mark Twain, saying, "Reports of our demise were somewhat exaggerated."
In Philadelphia, Kerry has blasted the Bush Administration's faith-based initiatives while meeting with a group of about 100 African-American church leaders from across the country.
Kerry says people of faith have helped those in need for years and years, "there just hasn't always been an effort to politicize it." Kerry says the Bush administration acts as if it invented the concept of "faith based initiatives" and it "is trying to use it to divide" people.
Kerry was joined at the meeting by the Rev. Jesse Jackson and former presidential candidate, the Rev. Al Sharpton. After his initial statements, Kerry's meeting was closed to the press, so ministers could "speak more freely."
On Sunday, at a church in Cleveland, he warned the GOP is trying to suppress the black vote. He said his campaign is enlisting lawyers to fight the efforts, saying "memories of 2000" are strong.
Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.