George Bush's Stem Cell Crisis

Crisis is a term that is often misunderstood. Most people assume a crisis is a bad thing. Above I have linked to a number of definitions through google so you can see the varied meanings of the words. A crisis is a test, a turning point and George Bush is finally facing one. His actions will determine not only the success of his second term but also the long-term strength of the republican majority in national politics.

In the next few weeks/month a bill will be sent to George Bush about federal funding of stem cells. All of the polls will show that a majority of people in the country support the bill (of course most people don't know that this is just more pork for drug companies but that is the nature of politics). A majority of people will say that president Bush should sign it. All of the chattering class will say he must sign it. And a few overly loud people on the right will say that he must veto it (but they will say in private we understand if you sign it). So everything will be pointing in the direction for him to sign it. Unfortunately if he does his presidency will be effectively over.

The only thing that has allowed Bush to succeed is his inability to compromise. Which is seen by the voters at being principled and not playing politics. You wont hear it in the press but many consider Bush to be a straight shooter. But the defection of republicans and old people on social security shows there is an underlying level of distrust in him and his team. If he fails to veto the stem cell bill everyone will know he is just a politician and his strength will evaporate, and the religious right will disappear as a reliable voting block for the republicans which would be as deadly for them as losing the blacks would be for the democrats.

So if you support any of the president's goals you need to tell him to veto the stem cell bill even if you support stem cell research. It is a mater of principle over politics.