State Republican Party Votes To Oppose Embryonic Stem Cell Research Ballot Measure

Members of the California Republican Party at their convention on Sunday voted to oppose a measure on the Nov. 2 statewide ballot that would provide the state with about $3 billion in funds for human embryonic stem cell research, the Sacramento Bee reports (Mecoy, Sacramento Bee, 8/9). The measure, Proposition 71, would raise an average of $295 million annually for 10 years to promote embyronic 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 have said that the measure would cost a total of $6 billion with interest (California Healthline, 8/5).

Opponents of the measure at the California Republican Convention framed their opposition "largely as a budget issue," according to the AP/Long Island Newsday. Mike Spence, chair of the initiative committee for the party, said, "There are people on our committee who support embryonic stem cell research that voted to oppose Proposition 71," adding, "There's billions in bonds, a new state agency that's unaccountable ... and there's cloning involved" (AP/Long Island Newsday, 8/8). Sen. Jim Battin (R-Palm Desert) said that measure would create a "bizarre super-bureaucracy that through many exemptions of current law skirts accountability to almost everyone" (Salladay, Los Angeles Times, 8/9).

However, some Republicans expressed support for the measure at the convention, according to the AP/Newsday. Dr. James Mertzel, a San Fernando Valley dentist, said, "I think it's time the Republican Party take a more humanistic attitude toward this issue," adding, "If you had an illness fatal to one of your children, you'd look at anything to find a cure for it" (AP/Long Island Newsday, 8/8).

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) faces a "tight political spot" over whether to support or oppose the measure, the AP/Contra Costa Times reports. Schwarzenegger has not taken a position on the measure because he is "sure to alienate important constituents" regardless of which position he takes, according to the AP/Times. Support for the measure likely would raise criticism from social conservatives, members of the Roman Catholic Church and the Bush administration, which has implemented restrictions on federal funds for embryonic stem cell research and has offered Schwarzenegger a "prominent role" at the Republican National Convention later this month in New York City, the AP/Times reports.

However, Schwarzenegger in earlier interviews has said that he supports embryonic stem cell research. Bruce Cain of the University of California-Berkeley said, "There are political problems. If he doesn't endorse, he's continuing on a path that makes him look more and more like a traditional Republican, and that could cut into his popularity. But to endorse is to incur the wrath of the right." Jack Pitney, a political scientist at Claremont McKenna College, said, "He could cast this as a finance-and-process thing rather than argue against it on the merits." Pitney said that Schwarzenegger likely will not take a position on the measure (Elias, AP/Contra Costa Times, 8/7).