Romney’s announcement that he opposes stem cell research shows the depths of political expediency to which he has fallen, and the stranglehold of the religious right on the Republican Party. The Man Who Would Be President has set himself against the wisdom of our Constitution, the economic future of our state, a potential cure to his wife’s terminal illness, and the principles of his Mormon Church in a desperate effort to pander to evangelical voters in 2008. The Constitution, according to the Supreme Court, states that life begins six months into pregnancy, but Romney would make research on a microscopic clump of cells a crime. Universities, research institutes, and biotechology firms represent our economic future: they are expanding while traditional businesses like John Hancock, Fleet and Gillette are leaving, but Romney would cripple some of their most promising endeavors. Stem cell research offers a potential cure for Multiple Sclerosis, the uncurable terminal illness that afflicts Romney’s wife, but the politician would subvert the well being of his family to his political ambitions. The Mormon Church, an anti-choice bastion, accepts stem cell research. Romney, however, in his pride has turned his back even on his faith.
Bob, As a politically liberal Mormon, I follow your governor’s political manuevering with fascination and occasional disbelief. But regarding your assertion that the LDS Church accepts stem-cell research, that is not the case. The church may de facto accept it by not not accepting it, but the church has no official standpoint on stem-cell research, just as it does not on almost every political issue. I assure you, Orrin Hatch does not speak for our church, and neither does Harry Reid.