"Senate Lacks Votes for Stem Cell Override"

[GreenPartyVoter]

WASHINGTON (AP) - Senate supporters of a measure to ease restrictions on embryonic stem cell research lack the votes to override a threatened veto by President Bush, a top proponent of the research says.

A favorable Senate vote is considered more likely now that Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., has reversed his position to support more federal dollars for research. However, a Senate vote would not matter if, as lawmakers predicted, a Bush veto stands in the House.

Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who is sponsoring a bill easing restrictions that Bush put in place, said Frist gave his side "a big boost." A vote on the measure could come in September.

While a bill would pass the Senate with a simple majority, 67 senators would be needed to fend off a veto by Bush if all 100 senators voted.

http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20050801/D8BMSEUO0.html

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Kick

[TlalocW]

2. Frist gets to put himself out there as "his own man"

Someone willing to break with the president, etc. for his own projected run for that office in 08, but he knows there won't be the votes to override it so he won't make Chimpy look bad.

TlalocW

[peekaloo]

3. I agree.

Call me cynical but Frist is just playing for the camera(s).