Poll: Americans Disapprove of Bush Stem-Cell Veto

  • Bob Geiger's picture
    Bob Geiger
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July 27, 2006

Ever with his finger on the pulse of the American people, George W. Bush vetoed the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act last week, spouting a whole bunch of things about ethical and moral values, maintaining that stem cell research is tantamount to murder and that "…crossing this line would be a grave mistake."

But a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll released earlier this week and taken over last weekend shows that Bush must believe the majority of Americans are unethical and immoral. A 58-percent majority of poll respondents say they disapprove of Bush vetoing the stem cell bill, while 36 percent -- probably the same crew that still approves of his overall job performance -- agreed with his decision. For the record, the poll showed that Bush's job approval rating remains at a dismal 37 percent.

"I had hoped that the president would have really tried to listen to our voices," said Dana Lewis, the American Diabetes Association National Youth Advocate, who suffers from type 1 diabetes. "I feel let down and I am very saddened that he shattered my sense of hope and the hopes of millions of other children and young adults."

Robin Anthony Elliott, executive director of the Parkinson's Disease Foundation agreed saying that "Congress, reflecting the views of three-fourths of Americans, was on the right side of history, the right side of science and the right side of popular opinion -- unfortunately, the Administration was not."

Other results of note from the USA TODAY/Gallup Poll:

  • Almost two thirds -- 65 percent -- of Americans say they are dissatisfied with "… the way things are going in the United States at this time."
  • Administration claims of economic happy days appear unrealized by most, with 59 percent disapproving of how Team Bush is handling the economy.
  • 62 percent disapprove of Bush's handling of the situation in Iraq and 56 percent say flat-out that "the United States made a mistake in sending troops to Iraq."

The coming mid-term elections are clearly a referendum on a failed and unchecked White House and the Iraq war, but every Democratic Congressional campaign should view those stem-cell numbers as something to be hammered on over and over between now and November 7.

You can reach Bob Geiger at geiger.bob@gmail.com

Comments

I, for one, don't believe

  • dinamic's picture
    dinamic
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07/27/06
11:28am

I, for one, don't believe for a minute that bush believes any of the things that he says about stem cells or any of the other "moral" issues that he pulls out and parades in front of the TV cameras every time that he gets in some kind of political trouble. He let's his "spiritual advisers" tell him what "Christians" believe and when to throw them a bone and out he goes. I don't think it is about voters, now, but more about staying in the club and paying dues, while they polish his bubble. That makes congressmen who are falling for this boondoggle of protecting "life" and the countrie's morals, the biggest dupes of all.

His argument that using the frozen embryos for science would be "killing a human life" makes little sense, when one realizes that those very same cells will be thrown in the trash, if not used. Even if you agree with Bush that they are human life, they are doomed to death, no reprieve, they will not ever become "snow flake babies".

When Bush brings the "snow flake babies" out for photo-ops he is pandering to the preachers who make their living frightening and lying to our grandparents to get a chunk of the SS check. With Bush and his cronies morality is nothing more than a money making scheme.

Back to the point. As our candidates can and should point out the health care tragedy here, we can point out that those embryos are thrown out as medical waste, not adopted to grow up to be beautiful babies. And that the Bush administration is lying to the faithful once more [for political reasons] at the expense of gravely ill and suffering children and adults.

The numbers show that most families have one or more loved ones who they hope might be saved from a long and painful life, ending in a tragic death, if only the research starts soon enough. That is the reality for our candidates to work with.

"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross." ~ Sinclair Lewis

In a time of deception telling the truth is a revolutionary act. ~ George Orwell

There are a number of well known Republicans

  • kwahlf's picture
    kwahlf
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07/27/06
11:36am

who support stem cell research.

Nancy Reagan is just one of them.

Georgie blew it with this veto.

ashame Bush is so obsequious to bunch of religious fanatics

  • Frank Ranelli's picture
    Frank Ranelli
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07/27/06
12:23pm

While clearly everyone, democrat or not, is disappointed by Bush's veto, I think it only substantiates what most people already know: Bush is a puppet of the religious right and totally out of touch with America.

It is sad, especially for those that could be helped by this important research, but from a political aspect, it only weakens Bush, angers more Americans and strengthens our chances of winning this fall and likely in 2008.

It is a tragedy that people whom would benefit from Stem Cell Research have to wait, but IMO, I see this as another nail in Bush's coffin and his rubber stamp congress.

To be honest and direct, the more Bush screws up between now and November, the greater our chances of taking back the House and possible the Senate are going to become.

That said, it is a shame we have a president who is so disengenious and obsequious to bunch of religious fanatics and idiots; while millions of people potentially needlessly suffer.

"If being liberal means critical thinking and informed dissent, instead of blind obedience and ignorant nationalism, then I am all for it!"