STEM CELL SENATE—ONE VOTE AWAY…

Seldom has so much hinged on one vote.

As you know, Senate Bill 5, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, will shortly be voted on in the United States Senate—soon, very soon-- in two weeks, maybe four.

It is not enough for us just to win. A simple majority in not enough.

We need 67 votes for the margin to override President Bush's expected veto.

Right now, sixty-six Senators will vote to pass the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.

We need one more vote…

But before we get to that, take a quick look ahead, to 2008.

In 2008, America will have a President who supports embryonic stem cell research.

How can we know that? Take a look at the percentage of support each of the major parties gives their candidates.

First, the Republicans:

Gallup Poll. Jan. 12-14, 2007.
					.
"… for the Republican nomination for president in the year 2008. . . ."
		1/12-14/07	12/11-14/06	11/9-12/06
		%	%	%
	Rudy Giuliani	31	28	28
	John McCain	27	28	26
	Newt Gingrich	10	8	7
	Mitt Romney	7	4	5
	George Pataki	3	1	1
	Tommy Thompson	2	2	n/a
	Jim Gilmore	2	n/a	n/a
	Sam Brownback	1	2	1
	Mike Huckabee	1	2	1
	Chuck Hagel	1	1	1
	Condoleezza Rice (vol.)	1	12	13
	George Allen	n/a	2	2
	Bill Frist	n/a	n/a	4

Next, the Democrats.

Gallup Poll. Jan. 12-14, 2007. N=518 Democrats and Democratic leaners nationwide. MoE ± 5.
					.
"Next, I'm going to read a list of people who may be running in the Democratic primary for president in the next election. After I read all the names, please tell me which of those candidates you would be most likely to support for the Democratic nomination for president in the year 2008…
		1/12-14/07	12/11-14/06	11/9-12/06
		%	%	%
	Hillary Rodham Clinton	29	33	31
	Barack Obama	18	20	19
	John Edwards	13	8	10
	Al Gore	11	12	9
	John Kerry	8	6	7
	Joe Biden	5	3	4
	Bill Richardson	3	2	2
	Wesley Clark	2	2	3

The opposition to research includes Republicans Sam Brownback, George Allen., and Mitt Romney. I don't know where Ms. Rice stands on the research.

With those exceptions duly noted, every major Presidential candidate, Republican or Democrat, is a supporter of embryonic stem cell research.

What does that mean to us? When the new President comes to office, stem cell research will almost certainly get one big "ask"—one request to be granted, one giant step forward for stem cell research— what will it be?

If not passed yet, the gift will be the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. Without Presidential opposition, the bill will pass easily.

That's not anywhere near enough.

Don't get me wrong: the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act is needed. We have to have it, and probably it is the best we can get right now. But it is only permission for the feds to fund research; it comes with no actual money attached.

In 2008, I want the moon shot for stem cells: the financial equivalent of the Apollo program.

How much did it cost America, when President John Kennedy inspired our country to put a man on the moon? In ten years (1962-72) the Apollo program cost $25 billion—adjusted for inflation, that's $150 billion in today's dollars.

Spread over ten years, $150 billion would be the equivalent of the California program in every state. Too big an investment?

Not when you consider the size of the problem. We now spend almost two trillion a year on health care expenditures; a mountain of money roughly equivalent to all federal taxes combined....

But right now, we need the Stem Cell Research Enhancement to establish that it is okay for the feds to fund new stem cell lines. Then we can compete for the money which is there right now, and later try for more.

To win, we have to work super hard for the next two-to-four weeks, pass the Senate with 2/3 plus one votes—and then, with that enormous momentum, go back to the House of Representatives, which will be actually be an easier battle—because everyone Representative will be up for re-election in 2008. Nobody wants to be the person who stood in the way of cure.

We need to turn around the vote of just one Senator—one out of six.

Ideally, people in their own states should contact them. Nothing has the impact of a constituent's call: the person whose vote the Senator needs to keep his or her job.

But in this situation, out-of-state calls are welcome. c

These are Senators: our nation's leaders, not only in office to do their state's business. They also make America's decisions; they must hear from the country, and that's us.

What do you say when you contact them? That is the easy part. All you really need is one sentence: Our family urges your "Yes" vote on the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.

Here is a sample letter.

Your name, street address, city, state, zip and phone number. (Always include that, it verifies you as a real person.)

Re: Senate Bill 3, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act

Dear Honorable Senator_________:

As __________ (state your main reason for support—I always say, as the father of a paralyzed young man) I urge your "YES" vote on Senate Bill 5, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act.

Sincerely,

Your Name

That is really all you need.

If you want to add more, that's fine. Don't go past one page, though, it probably will not be read. Senator's offices are always overwhelmed with work.

Also, if you have something in common with the Senator, especially religion, be sure to mention that: For instance, Lindsey Graham is a Southern Baptist; it would mean a lot if a Southern Baptist were to write. Bob Casey and John Sununu are both Catholics; they should be reminded that roughly 70% of all American Catholics support embryonic stem cell research. Both Bob Corker and Richard Shelby are Presbyterians, members of a faith which actively supports embryonic stem cell research.

Here are just a few possible issues to mention, and of course not every one needs to be included:

1. Supporting S 5 is the responsible pro-life position. As Senator Orrin Hatch has stated, nothing is more pro-life than protecting the living.
2. The Presidentially-approved stem cell lines are not enough, and are contaminated by rat feeder layers.
3. Neither adult, amniotic, nor other alternate sources of stem cells can substitute for the power of embryonic stem cells.
4. We all knows someone suffering from an incurable disease or disability which stem cell research might alleviate or heal.
5. Economically, our country cannot afford the skyrocketing costs of medical care for ever-growing numbers of chronically ill citizens: cure must be a component of health care reform.
6. Our families must not be denied access to the best medical treatments science can provide.
7. S 5 is cautious and careful, allowing research only on biological materials which would otherwise be destroyed.
8. Our country must not lose the leadership of world medical research.
9. Dozens of polls reveal that embryonic stem cell research is overwhelmingly supported by the American people, from every walk of life.
10. The experts agree: embryonic stem cell research is supported by every major scientific, educational, and medical organization which has taken a stand on the issue.

(If you have trouble polishing your letter, feel free to write me care of this column-- Stemcellbattles@aol.com-- and I will try to help—so just put your rough draft together, one page max, and if you want, email it to me. More likely, though, when you do your letter, you will find that is better than you could have imagined. This is an issue you have been thinking about for quite some time, and chances are you will be able to write an effective letter without the help of a semi-ancient editor.)

Also, consider turning the letter you write to the Senator into a letter to the editor for your local newspaper—if you do it in the next couple days, there will still be time for it to be printed. But above all, contact the Senators.

Fax them. Phone them. Write them. As a last resort, go to their websites and email them. (Email, being the easiest, has the least effect. But any contact is better than none.)

Spend a couple hours with your phone book. Who do you know in these six states:

South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Tennessee and Alabama? Would a friend be willing to contact their Senator? Most folks will, IF ASKED.

Here are the Senators, with their contact information:

Lindsey Graham: South Carolina. Phone: (202) 224-5972 FAX: (202) 224-3808

Address: 290 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510

Bob Casey: Pennsylvania Phone: (202) 224-6324. FAX: (202) 228-0604

Address: B-40 Dirksen Senate Building, Washington, D.C. 20510

Norm Coleman: Minnesota (202) 224-5641 FAX: (202) 224-1152

Address: 320 Senate Hart Office Building, Washington, D. C. 20510

John Sununu: New Hampshire Phone: (202) 224-2841 FAX: (202) 228-4131

Address: 111 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510

Bob Corker: Tennessee Phone: (202) 224-3344 FAX: (202) 228-1264

Address: B-40A Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510

Richard Shelby: Alabama. Phone: (202) 224-5744 FAX: (202) 224-3416

Address: 110 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510

This is it, folks: the pivotal moment. Reach out. Be heard. We must come through.

Write one letter and send it to six Senators today. Or Fax it—that is the best. Or call them, just tell the person who answers the phone that you are a constituent (if you are) and you hope the Senator will vote "YES" on the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act. If you live in a different state, that is okay too. Ideally, do all three communications—phone, FAX, write.

And one more thing: I want to take this opportunity to say a personal thank you. One day, when my paralyzed son Roman stands up from his wheelchair, and in Christopher Reeve's words "walks away from it forever", it will be because of the hard work efforts of people like you, who took the time and trouble to get involved. Thank you, very much.