Obama’s Stem Cell Lies and McCain

Okay, okay. My gosh! Obama lies again about McCain. Obama said McCain was against stem cell research when he is clearly not!

Here is the opening to Obama’s new radio ad:

Stem cell research could unlock cures for diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer’s too. But John McCain has stood in the way…he’s opposed stem cell research…Picked a running mate who’s against it… And he’s running on a platform even more extreme than George Bush’s on this vital research. John McCain doesn’t understand that medical research benefiting millions shouldn’t be held hostage by the political views of a few.

As bad as this lie is, it is disturbing that Obama’s campaign then uses the mother of a diabetic child to compound his lie:

“For Maddy and millions of others, stem cell research can unlock cures. Barack Obama understands that. But John McCain just doesn’t,” she says.

The radio ad then ends with the typical approval and credits:

SEN. BARACK OBAMA: I’m Barack Obama, candidate for president, and I approve this message.

JODY MONTGOMERY: My name is Jody Montgomery and my daughter Maddy was diagnosed with Type I Juvenile Diabetes at age three. Six times a day, I take her blood. Six times a day, I pray for a cure. Researchers are working hard to do just that. Our best hope is stem cell research, and that’s why we support Barack Obama.

This ad is an easily provable lie!

Obama, please do your homework!

From Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA):

John McCain Has Strongly Supported Stem Cell Research, Voting Against Majority Of His Own Party

McCain: “Mr. President, stem cell research has the potential to give us a better understanding of deadly diseases and spinal cord injuries affecting millions of Americans.” (Office Of Sen. John McCain, Statement By John McCain On Stem Cell Research, 4/11/07)

McCain: “I believe that we need to fund this. This is a tough issue for those of us in the pro-life community. I would remind you that these stem cells are either going to be discarded or perpetually frozen. We need to do what we can to relieve human suffering. It’s a tough issue. I support federal funding.” (John McCain, Democratic Debate, Simi Valley, CA, 5/3/07)

John McCain Twice Voted To Expand Federal Funding For Stem Cell Research. (S. 5, Senate Vote #127: Passed 63-34: R 17-32; D 44-2, 4/11/07, McCain Voted Yea; H.R. 810, Senate Vote #206: Passed 63-37: R: 19-36; D 42-1, 7/18/06, McCain Voted Yea)

In April 2007, John McCain Voted “To Reject Restrictions President Bush Has Placed On” Stem Cell Research. (S. 5, Senate Vote #127: Passed 63-34: R 17-32; D 44-2, 4/11/07; Nicole Gaouette, “Senate Strongly Rejects Bush’s Curbs On Stem-Cell Research,” Los Angeles Times, 4/12/07)

In 2004, McCain Signed Letter With 58 Other Senators To President Bush Urging Him To Ease Restrictions On Embryonic Stem Cell Research. “We write to urge you to expand the current federal policy concerning embryonic stem cell research. As you know, embryonic stem cells have the potential to be used to treat and better understand deadly and disabling diseases and conditions that affect more than 100 million Americans, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and many others. … Mr. President, we know that you have been a strong supporter of medical research and share our commitment to curing disease and alleviating human suffering. We would very much like to work with you to modify the current embryonic stem cell policy so that it provides this area of research the greatest opportunity to lead to the treatments and cures for which we are all hoping.” (Letter From 58 Senators To President Bush To Ease Restrictions On Embryonic Stem Cell Research, 6/4/08)

From Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.):

In this letter, Sen. Feinstein writes that McCain was one Of 14 Republicans to sign the letter urging President Bush to change stem cell research policy.

“A majority of the Senate, including 14 Republicans, have sent a letter to President Bush asking him to loosen the restrictions on human embryonic stem cell research that he imposed nearly three years ago. The letter, dated Friday, echoes a similar plea signed last month by 206 members of the House. It may have special resonance during this week of remembrances for Ronald Reagan. Nancy Reagan has been increasingly outspoken in her support for stem cell research, which some experts believe could speed the development of treatments for many ailments, including Alzheimer’s disease, the brain-wasting syndrome that took Reagan’s life on Saturday.” (Rick Weiss, “58 Senators Seek Easing Of Rules For Stem Cells,” The Washington Post, 6/8/04)

I decided to check out the rest of the blogosphere and written word to see if anyone else noticed the lie and fact checked Obama’s ad. Well, I found one retort that is truly funny. The Miami Herald uses a great sports analogy in “Out of bounds: Obama falsely accuses McCain of blocking stem-cell research“:

Throw the flag on: Barack Obama.

Call: Pulling opponent by the face mask.

Here is the penalty for that face mask, Obama:

Set Obama’s credibility back 15 yards for manhandling the truth.