Democrats keep pressure on GOP lawmakers with stem-cell vote

There's still hope!

http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/news/nation/17062813.htm

Democrats keep pressure on GOP lawmakers with stem-cell vote
By Margaret Talev
McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON - The Senate voted Wednesday to ease President Bush's restrictions on embryonic stem cell research, setting up a sure veto. As it turns out, that's part of the Democrats' strategy.

The 63 to 34 vote was four votes short of the two-thirds needed for the Senate to override a veto. Close as the outcome in the Senate was, any override attempt would be even more difficult in the House of Representatives this year, and both houses must muster two-thirds majorities to prevail over a veto. So Bush's promised veto is likely to stand - at least for now.

Nevertheless, support for expanding stem-cell research is expected to grow closer to veto-proof majorities in both chambers over time. Three Democrats - Tim Johnson of South Dakota, Christopher Dodd of Connecticut and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana - did not vote Wednesday. If they had, the Senate would have been only one vote short of a veto-proof majority.

Democrats expect support for their position to grow as Republicans grow increasingly uncomfortable standing with Bush on the issue, because he's out of step with a strong majority of Americans on it.

The stem cell debate is but one example of how Republican lawmakers are feeling more pressure - or freedom - to break with Bush on such issues. From the Iraq war to the controversy involving Attorney General Alberto Gonzales over the firing of eight U.S. attorneys last year, many congressional Republicans are distancing themselves from Bush's positions. Some are defying him outright.

On stem cells, Bush says he can't support the destruction of human life and has limited federal support of the research to a small, pre-existing number of stem-cell lines, which scientists say is insufficient. The legislation supports expanded research using human embryos that already are slated for destruction at fertility clinics.

Seventeen Republicans broke with Bush on Wednesday. Some Republicans standing with Bush on the issue concede that their party's loss of majorities in the House and Senate last November makes their stem-cell votes politically more difficult.

more...

but unfortunately until we have a Democrat in office this will never pass. The Talibornagain will block almost all of our "100 hour" legislation. I don't see any of our legislation besides the minimum wage bill passing the President's desk. He refuses to compromise on anything. He needs to be removed from office.

we need more of this

Landreu supports stem cell research and she is pro-choice.

(how I ever so wish I had a decent Senator) on NPR this afternoon and I thought it was absolutely fantastic:

"My colleagues and I made a commitment that we would raise this issue again and again -- as long as it takes. Today we are fulfilling that promise. We know this bill will one day become law -- if not this year, then next year; if not next year, then the following year."

http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=NewsRoom.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=e0c9a6f7-b18e-b7f4-9468-6e9229cc2aef

She's not letting go of this issue and God Bless her for her tenacity.

The seem hell bent to self-destruct. But that's what good lemmings do. :crazy:

and all the gerrymandering and election rigging in the world can't save them now. they still think somehow they can make a comeback in 08. Most Americans simply do not hold the GOP view on any major issues anymore.

Hell, no. During the Iraq supplemental vote, I was proud to live in Nebraska. Tonight...eh...not so much!