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CNN Live Saturday

Was it Impossible for Bush to Win With His Stem Cell Decision?

Aired August 11, 2001 - 11:59   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: We will start this half hour with an in-depth look at embryonic stem cell research. We're going to look at the issue from both a practical and a political viewpoint.

CNN's White House correspondent Kelly Wallace begins out coverage from Crawford, Texas, where President Bush is vacationing -- Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Donna, President Bush used his weekly radio address to re-explain the decision he announced to the country on Thursday. The president saying the whole issue of embryonic stem cell research really forces the nation to confront questions of when life begins and the promise of science.

And he said again that he decided really on moral and ethical grounds that he would only federal tax dollars to be used on research on those stem cells that have already been extracted from human embryos on the more than 60 existing stem cell lines that Mr. Bush says are now available.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: They were created from embryos that have already been destroyed. And they have the ability to regenerate themselves indefinitely, creating ongoing opportunities for research. I have concluded that we should allow funds to be use for research on these existing stem cell lines where the life and death decision has already been made.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

WALLACE: Now Mr. Bush in his radio address did not confront any of criticism that has been sort of swirling around ever since he announced his decision. You have some scientists who say that these 60 stem cell lines may not be enough to try to find cures for various diseases such as Parkinson's. You have some liberal Democrat who said the president did not go far enough. And you even have some religious conservatives, some abortion opponents, who accuse the president of breaking a campaign pledge.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KEN CONNOR, FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL: We deeply regret the president's decision. We believe that it flies in the face of his promise not to engage in stem cell research that involves the destruction of live embryonic human beings. Many who surround the president would seek to finesse that promise in saying we're not engaging on that that involves the destruction. We're engaging in research that involved the destruction.

In our judgment that's a distinction without a difference. And the net result is the same.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: Now, the president's advisers say that what he is doing fully consistent with his campaign promises, but they also say that the president realizes there would be no way to please all sides. Senior advisers though taking some comfort in some of the praise the president's decision is receiving from groups such as the National Right to Life Committee, which says it is delighted by this decision, as well as some Democrats such as Senate Majority leader Tom Daschle who offered the president some praise, even though Senator Daschle believes and going to push for broader embryonic cell research -- Donna.

KELLEY: Kelly Wallace, thanks very much as usual.

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