The Daily Background

White House Press Secretary Tony Snow predicted yesterday that President Bush would veto expanded stem cell research swiftly, and The Daily Background now expects that it will occur later this afternoon. Expect a flurry of articles when this occurs, and the President is planning to hold a press conference (but really a photo-op) later today about it.

Update: Bush is making his speech right now, with families who have adopted embryonic stem cells.

2:11- The President has just announced that he has vetoed the bill

The President is now playing down the science and using phrases like “some” scientists “think” that embryonic stem cells “might” be able to yield scientific advances.

2:15- President just claimed that America now ‘lead[s] the world” in stem cell research. This is of course a complete lie, the US is far behind countries like Mexico and South Korea because of the President’s archaic beliefs, where scientists are allowing people to walk who were previously paralyzed.

The President is repeatedly thanking Senators Rick Santorum and Sam Brownback, two of the most conservative Republicans in the Senate, who are on hand for the President’s announcement, both of whom have extremely harsh stances on women’s rights and stem cell research.

2:21- President just claimed that stem cell research would be harmful to science, what the hell.

2:23- Speech is over

ThinkProgress notes that the media was barred from the actual veto event, and cites a poll that says that 67% of Americans support the pro-medicine Senate bill.

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