Boxer Seeks To Define Differences With Jones on Abortion Rights, Stem Cell Research Issues
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) on Wednesday "tethered" her rival, former California Secretary of State Bill Jones (R), to the Bush administration's opposition to abortion rights and restrictions on stem cell research, the Sacramento Bee reports. Boxer said in a speech at the Sacramento Press Club that the race presents voters with a "clear choice" about "the direction our nation will take."
"I'm pro-choice, and Bill Jones would make 90% of all abortions illegal," Boxer said. Jones campaign spokesperson Michael Kahoe said that his position on abortion rights is not the "central criteria" for how he would vote. Kahoe added, "On the abortion issue, Barbara Boxer has spent most of her career making that one of the few litmus tests."
Boxer also said that she differed from Jones in her support of Proposition 71, a measure on the Nov. 2 statewide ballot that would fund stem cell research (Rojas, Sacramento Bee, 9/2). Proposition 71 would raise an average of $295 million annually for 10 years to promote stem cell research through the issuance of state bonds. The measure would provide funds for a new stem cell research center at a University of California campus, as well as grants and loans for laboratory projects at other colleges. State analysts estimate that the measure would cost a total of $6 billion with interest (California Healthline, 8/11). Kahoe said Jones supports stem cell research but opposes the ballot measure because of the expense to the state.
According to recent polls, Boxer holds a double-digit lead in the race. However, Boxer predicted the race would become closer as Election Day approaches (Sacramento Bee, 9/2).
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