In what is sure to be an embarrassment to the Repugs. Ron Reagan Jr. will be giving a speech at the Democratic Convention regarding his support of stem cell research. Go gettem Ron! wink

Nancy Reagan also strongly backs stem cell research.

As do most intelligent Republicans who yearn for an open convention - and secretly pray for some blockbuster scandal that would blow the socks off Rove & Co. eek!

I think this is a big "get" for the Democrats, although it is unlikely to sway the minds of the "religious" conservatives who are dead-set against stem cell research. However, I think Mr. Reagan Jr. is trying to have it both ways. In something I read he said that he wouldn't speak at the convention if he were asked to publically go after Bush, but he would speak on stem cell research.

Ron, honey, your speaking at a political convention, that happens to be for the party your father didn't represent while he was in office. If you support Bush's re-election, you don't speak at the Democratic convention.

Ron's appearance at the Dem convention in August could get trumped if Nancy speaks at the Republican convention in Sept.

But that doesn't seem likely given the GOP's position on federal funding.

Why is federal funding such a big deal for diseases? Yeah, I'm v. clueless about this. Wouldn't the massive profits to be realized from coming up with a cure be enough of an incentive for companies? Is it because it's so speculative, and that companies won't take a chance without federal subsidies? Or is it that the fed govt won't let researchers have access to stem cells? Or something else?

[ July 12, 2004, 04:13 PM: Message edited by: TomFord ]

I saw Ron Jr on Larry King Live last month and was quite impressed by how articulate he was and the manner in which he supported his position on several issues, particularly stem cell research....Ron's appearance at the convention in Boston may not have much impact upon the ultra "religious right" but can do nothing but help the Democrats sway some swing voters....his youthful appearance, oratory skills and compassionate plea in support of research that may have helped save or prolong the life of his father (who is still VERY much beloved by the American people, as reflected by the recent polls) has got to have several members of the GOP shaking their heads in disgust.

The Republicans have responded that Democrat Zell Miller will be speaking at their gathering in NYC next month but anyone who thinks that Miller has the same impact upon "small town America" as an offspring of Reagan is kidding themselves....now if the Democrats can only get Maria Shriver's hubby to agree to speak in Boston on our behalf then they would REALLY pull off a coup. wink

[ July 12, 2004, 01:39 PM: Message edited by: gamecock ]

Knight-Ridder Story

Note the less than subtle editorializing by the Knight-Ridder reporter in her story, both suggesting that Republicans SHOULD be embarrased, while at the same time inferring what Reagan's motivation may be.

"In a move sure to embarrass Republicans, Ron Reagan will address the Democratic National Convention this month."

Really? According to whom?

Did someone from the RNC say, "Gee, we sure are embarrassed."?

Did someone from the DNC say, "I'm sure they're going to be embarrassed."?

Does Reagan say his purpose is to embarrass, rather than to advocate?

No. The reporter says it without substantiating her conclusion in any way (notwithstanding the fact that some in the GOP may find it embarrassing, or that Reagan's motivation may in fact be to embarrass).

In reality, no Republican should be surprised at Reagan's appearance. In his own words:

"The Republican Party now is not the Republican Party of my father, not that it would be of great concern to me, one way or the other," he said. "I'm not a Republican, and I never have been."

Thanks for posting the link to that column, PSU4Ever...BTW, welcome to the board -- we need more DC area Outsporters to balance out some of the liberal Philly and West Coast contingent around here.

It was particularly good to see Ron Jr's response regarding whether he would be attending the planned tribute to his father at the GOP convention, August 30 to Sept 2 in New York, when he stated, "I don't think, in good conscience, I could take the chance that somebody could read that as an endorsement of this administration. I'll support any candidate who can defeat Bush."

I was foaming at the mouth when I read that Zell Miller was going to speak at the big GOP wingding in New York. I calmed down a bit about it once I saw that Ron Reagan was speaking at the Democratic convention. I recently read an interview with him in The New Yorker and was impressed. I think he should run for office in his home state of Oregon as a Democrat. Unfortunately he has already said he would not do that.

Remember when James and Sarah Brady spoke at the Democratic convention, in support of gun control? Both the Bradys are proud to be Republicans, but found one issue with which their views were in accord with the Democratic party.

Regarding Ron Reagan speaking at the upcoming convention in Boston, I agree with those who have argued it won't make a hill of beans difference to those in the hard, religious right--and Lord knows, it won't make a whiff of difference to the Dimbulb in Chief, who needs their support--but Reagan's appearance could have an impact with the (widely cited) 6% undecided. Even though stem-cell research by itself isn't a major, hot-button issue, it is yet another science-related issue on which the Bush Administration is in direct opposition to the scientific community--the Kyoto accords, rescinding the Clean Water Act, etc. Many elected Republicans, who support stem-cell research will find ways to distance themselves from Bush on this. Additionally, Reagan's appearance underscores the Kerry/Edwards mantra of looking to the future, supporting scientific reseasrch that can help Americans in need while the Bush Administration tied to the past. When he was asked about Nancy Reagan's reaction to his upcoming speech, he replied: "She's fine with it; knows it will keep stem-cell research on the national agenda."

~Adam

I didn't know than Ron's "home" state is Oregon. I thought i just read where he now resides in Seattle with his wife, and is a liberal Democrat. Oh, my gosh, there is that L word again. eek!

What would be even more perfect is if he was accompanied to the stage by Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg!

No surprise there... it's been obvious for the last couple of years that Zell's a Republican in drag anyway. He ought to just go ahead and switch, it would be a hell of a lot more honest.

Comrades:

The New York Times has confirmed this story.


Mikestead


New York Times article on Ron Reagan

Ummmm...it wasn't a rumor that needed to be confirmed. It was widely reported yesterday, with quotes about it from Reagan himself.

"As do most intelligent Republicans who yearn for an open convention." (gmginsfo)

BTW... Have Log Cabiners officially received their invitation?!

Or are their invitations 'still in the mail'? *grin*


.

Log Cabin will serve their traditional roles at the convention, doormats, clean up crew and shoe shine boys.

In lieu of this years terra threat, a few lucky Log Cabinetts will also be used as food testers.

"Inclusion wins!"

George Stephanopoulos (sp) said yesterday on Imus that stem cell research could very well be the sleeper issue that sways lots of independent voters this year. Think about it. Almost everyone has a family member with cancer, diabetes, Parkinson's, etc., all of which could be treated with medicines developed through advanced stem cell research. What the Dems need to do is link their policy on stem cell research to real-life people and contrast the Bush position as selling out their loved ones to the ultra-right and non-mainstream Christian Coalition.

[ July 13, 2004, 09:21 AM: Message edited by: aquaman ]

Ron Jr. gets scolded, and with Nancy's approval

I saw Buckley on television today. He's a bitter, cadaverous shell of the vital neo-con who practically created the political category. His shilling for the administration on same sex marriage and the war in Iraq, completely against all the strict constructionalist and small government ideals he's espoused for years, would have been humorous if not so patheticly transparent a desperate attempt to remain in favor with a conservative movement that has completely abandoned the ideals he brought to it.

Jqueer, I couldn't agree with you any more on how you described Buckley. In fact I would add, you could apply the same description to Bob Novak. eek!

And while you're down there on your knees shining their shoes could you just... LMAO!!!

Would it not be a coup if Nancy walked out on stage with Ron Jr. when he made his speech about stem cell research? That would be too surreal.

When Ron Jr. was on Larry King Live he was asked by Larry if Nancy would speak at the RNC if they would come out and endorse stem cell research and he said that would be up to her. He actually said they might could work out a deal but felt like the Bush Administration was not going to budge on this issue. It will be interesting to see if they budge to get Nancy to speak.

William Buckley....who?