On April 11, 2007, the Senate passed a bill that would potentially loosen restrictions on stem cell research. Following the 63 to 34 vote in favor of the bill, Gov. Jim Doyle and nine other governors sent President Bush personal letters asking him to refrain from vetoing it.
While we applaud Doyle for his efforts to support stem cell research, we feel that he and the other governors appealing for Bush's support are not taking the most efficient or promising path toward passing stem cell-related legislation.
Based on Bush's former actions (he essentially vetoed the same bill related to stem cell research in 2006) and political beliefs, it is obvious that he is not going to sway his opinion in favor of stem cell research. In Texan terms, he's as stubborn as a mule. Moreover, approving the bill would upset many of the conservatives and political forces that voted him into office. With steadily declining support, Bush will not take any risks that jeopardize his public approval.
So instead of petitioning Bush, politicians in support of the bill should focus on getting enough support in the Senate to obtain the two-thirds vote required to override a presidential veto.
We feel the correct way to do this is to focus on individual senators. For example, three members of the Senate did not vote on this bill. Fortunately, these members, including Sens. Dodd, D-Conn., Johnson. D-S.D., and Landrieu, D-La., had supported the bill and voted for comparable legislation in 2006.
If these individuals were to give their formal support for the bill by voting, it would raise the count to 66-34, which would leave one vote needed to obtain the amount necessary to override a presidential veto.
To obtain this single vote, lobbyists for the stem cell bill should focus on securing the votes of a Republican who does not have a definitive stance on the issue.
According to Project Vote Smart, Sen. Michael Crapo, R-Idaho, supports stem cell research on existing lines. Perhaps some of the Republicans or even the two Democrats who voted against the bill could be swayed.
Given increasing public acceptance of stem cell research, our president is clearly betraying the will of the masses, which we find worrisome. As agents of the American public, senators represent a super-majority of public will. Since the Senate overwhelmingly supports the bill, we feel that President Bush should re-evaluate his stance on stem cell research.
The White House-bound letters signed by Doyle and nine other governors questioned whether Bush was out of touch with the public's increasing acceptance of stem cell research. We cannot do more but agree that Bush is out of touch. The only solution is to find one senator who's willing to bend for the public benefit.
