Bush?s stem cell veto a risky stance

After waiting 5-1/2 years to make good on a veto threat, President Bush used his first to underscore his politically risky stand against federal funding for the embryonic stem cell research that most Americans support.

Some political strategists say Bush?s high-profile stance on such an intensely emotional issue could hurt the party?s congressional candidates in November in heartland places like Missouri.

?This bill would support the taking of innocent human life in the hope of finding medical benefits for others,? Bush said after rejecting calls that he change his policy. ?It crosses a moral boundary that our decent society needs to respect.?

The veto puts some Republicans in the uncomfortable position of having to choose between the wishes of their conservative backers who consider embryonic stem cells to be early human life and those in greater numbers who want to use the cells for research that could one day save lives.

?I think history will look very unkindly on this veto,? said Rep. Chris Shays, a moderate Connecticut Republican who helped pass the legislation. ?I believe the president is very sincere in vetoing this bill, but I think that he’s been captured by his own ideology and taking his ideology to an extreme.?

Republicans working to maintain majorities in Congress say stem cells will not be the biggest issue on voters? minds in November and that the economy, war and terrorism will be more important. However, Democrats warned that voters would not forget Bush?s veto.

?Everyone knows someone who needs this bill,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the chairman of the Democratic senatorial committee. ?We don?t have to do much work on this bill. It?ll speak for itself.?

There could be a silver lining for Republicans. The president?s opposition to embryonic stem cell research is a popular move among his most conservative supporters ? the same bloc that has been angry over Bush?s immigration policies.