Reeve died before the election IIRC. I think that claim hurt Kerry/Edwards.
Yes Reeve died before the election. And it was a ridiculous comment for Edwards to make in the first place. The suggestion that this research would result in miracle cures was a liberal issue to use against Bush. It’s an old liberal trick — say that liberals are in favor of something, then by extension, imply that EVIL REPUBLICANS are against it, so by extension, Republicans are against science, or medical research in general.