[jporcus]

I hate to bring this up, but the politicization of Reeves is bound to happen, as Begala has started, so here goes. I wonder whether in prep for the debate Kerry got a heads-up from the Reeves family that Reeves was near death? I find it incredible that Kerry just happens to mention Reeves Friday night. I would NOT find it hard to believe that Kerry would use Reeves' impending death to magnify his stance on stem-cell research.

This is not meant to be a smear on Reeves, who was an inspiration given the tragedy he suffered.

[Clinging Bitterly]

I wonder whether in prep for the debate Kerry got a heads-up from the Reeves family that Reeves was near death?

I'd guess there is a real possibility of that, but still there is plausible deniability or whatever it's called. Even if Kerry did know about Reeve's failing health, it's still hard to find a political discussion about stem cell research that doesn't mention his name. Whether Reeve liked it or not, he (and to a lesser extent Ronald Reagan) was the de-facto poster child for the political aspect of the issue. Under any circumstances, Kerry would not have spoken publicly on the issue without mentioning his name, and there's not a pundit on earth who doesn't recognize that.