McCain and Palin were both against creation of new embryos for any research, stem cell or otherwise. They supported the Bush agenda for allowing embryonic stem cell research on the embryos that were already destroyed at the time of his executive order.
Q: Would you expand federal funding of embryonic stem cell research?
John McCain:
A: I believe that we need to fund this. This is a tough issue for those of us in the pro-life community. I would remind you that these stem cells are either going to be discarded or perpetually frozen. We need to do what we can to relieve human suffering. It’s a tough issue. I support federal funding.
Source: 2007 GOP primary debate, at Reagan library, hosted by MSNBC May 3, 2007