Schwarzenegger endorses stem cell work

Lord Poe · Post by **Lord Poe** » 2004-10-19 06:47pm

Carmel, CA, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger broke with Republican party ranks and endorsed a $3 billion stem cell research project.

Proposition 71, the proposal to invest billions in embryonic stem cell research, has been ahead in state polls but not decisively, meaning Schwarzenegger's support could be significant, the Los Angeles Times said.

"First of all, I endorse Proposition 71," Schwarzenegger said. "Even though I haven't come out publicly, I have been very open about that I am very much interested in stem cell research and support it 100 percent."

If passed, the measure would provide about $300 million a year for grants and facilities for the next decade, to be administered through the creation of a private California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

As for breaking ranks with the state and national Republicans on the issue, Schwarzenegger was unfazed.

"The Republican Party goes all the way from the right to the center, as much as the Democratic Party goes from the center to the left," he said.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2004-10-19 06:49pm

Support the Arnold/McCain ticket for '08.

Darth Garden Gnome · Post by **Darth Garden Gnome** » 2004-10-19 06:49pm

I would vote this man for President, if it were at all possible.

Wicked Pilot · Post by **Wicked Pilot** » 2004-10-19 06:59pm

I think the Republicans got more than they bargained for.

Chris OFarrell · Post by **Chris OFarrell** » 2004-10-19 06:59pm

This guy would bloody rock as President.

Wicked Pilot · Post by **Wicked Pilot** » 2004-10-19 07:00pm

SirNitram wrote:Support the Arnold/McCain ticket for '08.

Yeah right, as if you're gonna see such a thing. They learned their lesson with the McKinley/Roosevelt ticket, and that was only half as dangerous.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2004-10-19 07:02pm

Wicked Pilot wrote:
SirNitram wrote:Support the Arnold/McCain ticket for '08.
Yeah right, as if you're gonna see such a thing. They learned their lesson with the McKinley/Roosevelt ticket, and that was only half as dangerous.

Explain, please.

Wicked Pilot · Post by **Wicked Pilot** » 2004-10-19 07:26pm

SirNitram wrote:Explain, please.

Back during the turn of the century, the Republicans had this wild eyed progressive named Theodore Roosevelt rising through their ranks. They nominated him for the VP slot under McKinley to get him out of the way, into a position in which he had no power. Of course, McKinley got shot, and Roosevelt became president. He was an conservationist, tough on big business, for expanded consumer protection, and the people loved him.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2004-10-19 07:27pm

Wicked Pilot wrote:
SirNitram wrote:Explain, please.
Back during the turn of the century, the Republicans had this wild eyed progressive named Theodore Roosevelt rising through their ranks. They nominated him for the VP slot under McKinley to get him out of the way, into a position in which he had no power. Of course, McKinley got shot, and Roosevelt became president. He was an conservationist, tough on big business, for expanded consumer protection, and the people loved him.

And destroyed the Republican Big Plans(tm)? Okay, I can see how this might backfire.

mauldooku · Post by **mauldooku** » 2004-10-19 07:30pm

SirNitram wrote:
Wicked Pilot wrote:
SirNitram wrote:Support the Arnold/McCain ticket for '08.
Yeah right, as if you're gonna see such a thing. They learned their lesson with the McKinley/Roosevelt ticket, and that was only half as dangerous.
Explain, please.

McKinley was assassinated during his term, leaving Roosevelt as President. Roosevelt turned out to be quite progressive on many issues, specifically those involving 'big business'. While he was not the trust-busting zealot that some made him out to be (he much preferred to work with big business rather than against them), he was not hesitant in going after what he saw as injustice. As time wore on, he became so divorced from the partisan fold that he split with the Republican party, forming the Progressives. This is often held up one of (if not the) reasons why Democrat Woodrow Wilson won the election prior to World War I.

This skips over most of the details, but it works as a summary of the events. Basically, the Republicans would be afraid of placing another relatively unknown progressive candidate on the ballot, even if only as VP in order to get votes. Who knows what could happen?

ArmorPierce · Post by **ArmorPierce** » 2004-10-19 07:31pm

Now all he has to do is support Kerry instead of Bush and he'll be a god in my eyes.

mauldooku · Post by **mauldooku** » 2004-10-19 07:31pm

ArmorPierce wrote:Now all he has to do is support Kerry instead of Bush and he'll be a god in my eyes.

Keep dreaming

Mayabird · Post by **Mayabird** » 2004-10-19 07:42pm

I'll admit it, I was a little bit leery at first when Schwarzenegger was running for governor of California. I thought that with no political experience he might end up becoming the pawn of the big boys in the party and just a dumb figurehead puppet with movie quotes that appeal to the dumb.

It's times like this when I'm glad to be wrong about something. Kudos to Arnie!

The Kernel · Post by **The Kernel** » 2004-10-19 08:09pm

Maybe now the rest of the world will realize that us Californians actually knew what we were doing electing this guy.

JME2 · Post by **JME2** » 2004-10-19 08:36pm

I haven't fully changed my mind about him, but Arnie's starting to crack at my doubt. Good man.

Fire Fly · Post by **Fire Fly** » 2004-10-19 09:04pm

You know....Schwarzenegger is pro-choice, pro-gay, and pro-stem cells. Now that's my kind of Republican.

sketerpot · Post by **sketerpot** » 2004-10-19 09:18pm

The Kernel wrote:Maybe now the rest of the world will realize that us Californians actually knew what we were doing electing this guy.

That gubernatorial election was awesome. I would have voted for the porn star (and laughed all the way home from the polls), but I have to say that I'm happy with the outcome anyway.

Spice Runner · Post by **Spice Runner** » 2004-10-19 09:24pm

Go Ahnuld! This is the type of canidate I'd like to see run for president.

mauldooku · Post by **mauldooku** » 2004-10-19 09:55pm

Fire Fly wrote:pro-gay

Hold on a second there. If I remember correctly, while he does indeed support civil unions, he still 'upholds the traditional definition of marriage' or some other bullshit phrase. Certainly better than most of the Republican alternatives, but labeling him as pro-gay isn't accurate.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2004-10-19 10:43pm

SirNitram wrote:Support the Arnold/McCain ticket for '08.

Support a Constitutional amendment allowing Arnold to actually run for president first.

Fire Fly · Post by **Fire Fly** » 2004-10-19 10:57pm

Badme wrote:
Fire Fly wrote:pro-gay
Hold on a second there. If I remember correctly, while he does indeed support civil unions, he still 'upholds the traditional definition of marriage' or some other bullshit phrase. Certainly better than most of the Republican alternatives, but labeling him as pro-gay isn't accurate.

Ok then....."he's pro-choice, pro-stem scell and more pro-gay than his Republican colleauges." Still, I will take him over many other Republicans any day.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2004-10-19 10:57pm

Badme wrote:
Fire Fly wrote:pro-gay
Hold on a second there. If I remember correctly, while he does indeed support civil unions, he still 'upholds the traditional definition of marriage' or some other bullshit phrase. Certainly better than most of the Republican alternatives, but labeling him as pro-gay isn't accurate.

He wants to give them all the legal protections. It's not perfect but in general he's talking about the religious aspects of marriage and I doubt he's going to impose that in a secular setting.

He's not perfect but he's a far better deal than most.

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2004-10-19 11:01pm

Id definitly vote for him

The Silence and I · Post by **The Silence and I** » 2004-10-19 11:14pm

Hell yeah I'd vote for him! Arnie is seriusly my favorite politician--he supports most of my views, and he doesn't take no for an answer. I so wish he was born here, or that we'd amend a certain amendment.

TrailerParkJawa · Post by **TrailerParkJawa** » 2004-10-19 11:46pm

While I'm all for this type of research there is no money for it.
This State is in a serious financial crisis and selling more bonds isn't
something we can afford.