Fallout Continues Following Sen. Frist's Comments Supporting ESCR
by Bill Fancher and Jody Brown
August 3, 2005
(AgapePress) - A White House spokesman says Republican Senator Bill Frist's decision to support embryonic stem-cell research will not affect the president's stance on the issue. But a group that had the Senate majority leader speak at an evangelical rally earlier this year has decided not to invite him to speak at a follow-up rally later this month -- even though it is taking place in Frist's home state.According to an Associated Press report, even though Senator Frist spoke by video to the first "Justice Sunday" evangelical rally in April, he has not been invited to address this month's "Justice Sunday II" on August 14. The potential 2008 presidential candidate has angered the events' organizers by stating his support for expanded human embryonic stem-cell research.
Family Research Council president Tony Perkins says Frist's stance "reflects an unwise and unnecessary choice both for public policy and for respecting the dignity of human life." The August 14 gathering in Nashville is meant to voice support for Supreme Court nominee John Roberts and bring attention to judicial matters of importance to evangelicals.
While the event organizers have evidently changed their mind about inviting Frist to Nashville, the senator's comments will not change the Chief Executive's mind -- or so says Tim Goeglein, deputy director of the White House Office of the Liaison.
"While Senator Frist has made a decision on stem cells that is different than George W. Bush's, the President's position has not changed," Goeglein state.
According to the White House spokesman, President Bush views the human embryo as a person, deserving of human rights, and believe there is no room for waffling on the issue. "There is no way that he would change his position on stem-cell research," says Goeglein. "He will not change that view, even though others may."
Many people on Capitol Hill believe Frist changed his view on the issue because he is seeking endorsements in what is expected to be a bid for the presidency in 2008. But one conservative pundit contends if that is the case, it may backfire on the Tennessee lawmaker. In light of Frist's announcement, Gary Bauer sees Frist stumbling badly in two aspects -- one professional, the other political.
Bauer, who heads up the group American Values, says Frist -- a heart surgeon by profession -- knows that all human life begins as embryonic cells, and that the primary obligation of those in the medical profession should always be to "first, do no harm."
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Gary Bauer |
"And as a leader of the pro-life Republican Party, he should understand the basic moral principle of the sanctity of all human life," Bauer continues. But it is unfortunate, says the conservative spokesman, that Frist's support for embryonic stem-cell research "betrays his professional obligation to do no harm and the fundamental principles of his party."Instead of pushing "morally objectionable experimentation" that destroys human embryos, Bauer says, Senator Frist should be championing proven research using adult stem cells and umbilical cord stem cells.
