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Monday, October 17, 2005

MO-Sen: Stem Cell Ballot Measure Emerging as Wedge Issue

Posted by DavidNYC

Ah, now this I like to see. In 2004, it appeared (though there wasn't conclusive evidence) that anti-gay marriage ballot measures in several states might have jacked up right-wing turnout. At the very least, they provided an added incentive for conservatives to go to the polls. Right after the election, Nick Confessore suggested that we need to promote parallel ballot initiatives that would help our side. Nick thought state support for stem cell research would be a good place to start, and I agreed.

At least one state has followed this advice. Back in the spring, Tim wrote about a pro-stem cell measure in Missouri. At the time, the shape of the Senate race in MO was still inchoate, but now the battle lines are drawn (incumbent Republican Jim Talent vs. Democrat Claire McCaskill). And the stem cell initiative is starting to cause serious problems for the GOP:

Stem cell research is once again driving a wedge within Missouri’s Republican Party, pitting business interests who bankroll its campaigns against the social conservatives who help pack the polls.

Some fear that the dispute could spill over into some of the GOP’s key contests on the November 2006 ballot — especially the re-election bid of U.S. Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo.

The concern is that the Republican Party’s infighting could repel its voters or donors. "If you split our base, what does that do to you in a tough election year?" asked state Rep. Jim Lembke, R-south St. Louis County. "This could get messy."

This is even better than I might have imagined. I would have hoped that stem cell research would push more likely Dem voters to the polls, but if it has the added effect of potentially fracturing the GOP, that would be three birds with one stone (more Dems, fewer Republicans, and, if it passes, more support for stem cells).

Talent hasn't taken a position on any of this yet, but he is already feeling the pressure. He'll probably try to hem and haw, but no matter what he ultimately, there will be a lot of unhappy people. My feeling is that he'll ultimately cave and support the bill because much of the state GOP already does - this is one of those rare cases where big business is on the side of the good guys, and big business is pushing hard for this one to pass. If that causes the fundies to stay home on election day, then faaantastic.

Posted at 02:22 PM in 2006 Elections - Senate, Missouri | Technorati

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» Looking for a Liberal Gay Marriage Amendment from Desert Rat Democrat
DavidNYC spots an interesting wedge issue that could peel away moderate Republican voters next year in Missouri. It's stem cells. Stem cell research is once again driving a wedge within Missouri’s Republican Party, pitting business interests who bank... [Read More]

Tracked on October 17, 2005 09:18 PM

» A Missouri Wedge? from Jim Hacking
My disdain for ballot initiatives notwithstanding, there is an interesting discussion of Missouri’s stem cell ballot initiative going on at Swing State. I’m always up for a good wedge issue. ... [Read More]

Tracked on October 18, 2005 05:19 PM

Comments

Ahhh... this warms my heart. Few states can vie with Kansas for the top of the wingnut religious fervor index, but Missouri is one of them. I would like nothing more than for the business interests to join with the Sane voters (Democrats) and push egg in the faces of the religious right.

Not because they are religious, just because they viciously force their religion on others.

Posted by: KansasNate at October 17, 2005 10:02 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I am watching this with bated breath, and working to get the initiative on the ballot. I am directly affected: I am a scientist in Missouri, with an eye on the Stowers Institute after completion of my PhD. This is our issue, and it can be their Waterloo if we play our cards right.

Posted by: Left of Liberal at October 18, 2005 01:06 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

KansasNate, I agree with your assessment of Missouri and it's vast sea of religious wingnuts. They always say that Pennsylvania is Pittsburgh and Philadelphia with Alabama in between....but the same analogy applies to Missouri being Kansas City and St. Louis with Alabama in between. One interesting bit of trivia is that Missouri's most Republican county is Barton County.....home of former Democratic Presidential icon Harry Truman. They went for George Bush with 77% of the vote last year. I bet Harry's rolling over in his grave.

Posted by: Mark at October 18, 2005 02:01 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I bet Harry's rolling over in his grave.

Naw... no way - he's still givin' `em hell!

Posted by: DavidNYC at October 18, 2005 02:15 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I'm pretty sure that Harry Truman was a Jackson County native - He was born on a farm outside Grandview, which is part of Jackson County, and he lived in Independence, also Jackson County.

But the reason I came back: Claire McCaskill, who is challenging Jim Talent(less Hack) for his Senate seat in '06. according to this link

http://www.firedupmissouri.com/node/2826

she raised $680K in one month. This is really great news!

Posted by: Left of Liberal at October 18, 2005 06:41 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment