Ron Reagan addresses Dems on stem cell work

The son of a GOP president hardly disguises his disdain for President Bush.
DALLAS MORNING NEWS
BOSTON -- The marquee name seemed oddly out of place at the bustling FleetCenter -- Ronald Reagan, in prime time no less, at the Democratic National Convention.
The youngest son of the late president spoke about stem-cell research Tuesday night, appearing on the podium in one of the great little coups of this red-hot presidential campaign.
"In a few months, we will face a choice ... between two candidates and two parties," Reagan said. "But more than that, we have a chance to take a giant stride forward for the good of all humanity."
He mentioned neither Democrat John Kerry nor Republican George W. Bush. But he made clear that his sentiments were with Kerry, who had called to thank him for accepting the Democratic invitation.
"Whatever else you do come Nov. 2, I urge you, please, cast a vote for embryonic stem cell research," Reagan said.
Facing the critics
Beforehand, Ron Reagan, as he's most often known, had readily acknowledged on MSNBC, where he's a regular contributor, that critics would surely charge that "I'm being used by the Democrats."
"Maybe to some extent that's true," he said. "But then, I'm using them, too."
Both Reagan and his mother, Nancy, support more extensive stem-cell research that could lead to cures for diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer's, which afflicted the former president.
Michael, the late president's other son, has an opposing view.
Kerry, a Massachusetts senator, favors more extensive research, while President Bush has limited federal funding for research to 78 embryonic stem-cell lines existing in August 2001.
Ron Reagan, 46, lives in Seattle with his wife, Doria, a psychologist.
He describes himself as an independent voter but has hardly hidden his disdain for Bush.
"We lied our way into war," Reagan told CNN's Larry King, calling the invasion of Iraq a "terrible mistake" that should cost the president his job.
In his address Tuesday, Reagan steered clear of the war and other pressing issues, devoting his few minutes in prime time entirely to stem-cell research.
"There are some who would stand in the way of this remarkable future, who would deny federal funding so crucial to basic research," Reagan said, adding that some opponents believe such embryonic research is "tantamount to murder."
"A few of these folks, needless to say, are just grinding a political ax," he added. "And they should be ashamed of themselves."
GOP response
At the nearby Republican Rapid Response Center, GOP chairman Ed Gillespie said he was not surprised at Reagan's convention appearance and was confident that he would feel "very comfortable" among Democrats.
He said Nancy Reagan had been invited to the Republican National Convention in New York next month for a tribute to the former president, who died June 5 at age 93, but was not expected to attend.