Nancy Reagan Gives McCain Her Stamp Of Approval

Nancy Reagan's recent endorsement of John McCain really won't have that much of an effect on the true conservative base of the Republican party. Both Reagan and McCain are supporters of federally funded embryonic stem cell research, which is a viewpoint that does not fly with true conservatives. In fact John McCain credits Nancy Reagan as the one who changed his mind on the issue. The last thing America needs is a President that is influenced by the thoughts and ideas of a liberal leaning Nancy Reagan. So, I see the endorsement by Nancy Reagan of McCain as a further testimony of his moderate to liberal leanings in other words, this is not helping McCain's case that he is a true conservative.

From NBC's Chris Donovan

In light of today’s news of Nancy Reagan’s endorsement of McCain -- the two will appear together this afternoon, the campaign said -- McCain has credited Nancy Reagan, in part, for his change in position on federal funding for stem cell research. He explained her impact on Meet the Press in 2005, and reiterated his support at the MSNBC presidential debate (with Nancy Reagan present) in May 2007.

Here's what was said:

FROM MEET THE PRESS (June 19, 2005):
TIM RUSSERT: Let me turn to another ethical, moral, political issue, stem cell research. In 2000, John McCain and 19 other senators wrote a letter which said "Since 1996 Congress has banned federal funding for `research in which a human embryo or embryos are destroyed.' ...we support [this law]."

You've changed your mind.

McCAIN: Yes, I have.

RUSSERT: Why?

McCAIN: For a large number of reasons, ranging from getting briefed by very smart people on this issue and including discussing this with Nancy Reagan who, as you know, is a very strong advocate for stem cell research. I want to make it clear that those of us who support this do not believe that it has anything to do with human cloning and all of us are against human cloning. I look forward to the debate. It's a very complex scientific issue. But for us to throw away opportunities to cure diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's and many others I think would be a mistake. I look forward to the debate. It's interesting that more than two-thirds of the American people support stem cell research.

RUSSERT: There is a discussion now in legislation which would say that embryos created in fertilization clinics that are not used by the couple to have another baby could be used for stem cell research. Others say, no, no, they should be given to other couples, so-called snowflake babies. Where do you come down on that?

McCAIN: I think that--first of all, I don't claim to be an expert. But, second of all, I think that should be up to the couples that--whose embryos they are. I think that's a decision that they should probably make.