McCain Campaign runs questionable advertisement on stem cells, giving pro-lifers reason to doubt their integrity

Via Jeff Cullbreath comes word of a disturbing radio advertisement from the McCain-Palin campaign on stem cell research. The text of the ad runs as follows (click here to listen):

They’re the original mavericks. Leaders. Reformers. Fighting for real change.
John McCain will lead his Congressional allies to improve America’s health.
Stem cell research to unlock the mystery of cancer, diabetes, heart disease.
Stem cell research to help free families from the fear and devastation of illness.
Stem cell research to help doctors repair spinal cord damage, knee injuries, serious burns.
Stem cell research to help stroke victims.

And, John McCain and his Congressional allies will invest millions more in new NIH medical research to prevent disease.

Medical breakthroughs to help you get better, faster.
Change is coming.

McCain-Palin and Congressional allies.

The leadership and experience to really change Washington and improve your health.

Paid for by McCain-Palin 2008 and the Republican National Committee.

I don't think, as Jeff does, that this advertisement can be taken as a "campaign promise to aggressively fund ESCR." But the (deliberate) ambiguity is indeed the issue.

The abundance of medical breakthroughs that have occurred have been with adult stem cells -- indeed, adult stem cells, not embryonic, have played a role on successes related to the diseases and ailments mentioned in the advertisement. And given the media's propensity to over-hype what few advances made with ESCR and practically bury from the public eye adult stem cell accomplishments, the McCain campaign could have used this as an opportunity to emphasize this point.

On his campaign website, McCain now states:

will strongly support funding for promising research programs, including amniotic fluid and adult stem cell research and other types of scientific study that do not involve the use of human embryos.

Where federal funds are used for stem cell research, Senator McCain believes clear lines should be drawn that reflect a refusal to sacrifice moral values and ethical principles for the sake of scientific progress, and that any such research should be subject to strict federal guidelines.

But with the publication of this advertisement, they've given pro-lifers reason to doubt their integrity on this matter.

Update (Via Jay Anderson)

According to Jeffrey Young @ The Hill, the McCain campaign confirms the reason for the "ambiguity":

The ad does not specifically refer to embryonic research, which is opposed by most politicians and activists who, like McCain, do not support abortion rights.

The omission is not a signal that McCain is backing away from his record in favor of embryonic stem cell research, spokesman Brian Rogers said.

“Clearly, John McCain supports it,” he said, emphasizing that the ad is intended to refer to all forms of stem cell research, including experiments using human embryos and those using cells from adults.

The Obama campaign dismissed the radio spot, charging that McCain should have fought harder when President Bush twice vetoed stem cells legislation and that his choice of Palin signifies weak support for embryonic stem cell research.

Jeff Cullbreath was right and I stand corrected: what an extremely disappointing (and stupid, stupid, stupid) move on McCain's part.

Related Perspectives

• McCain-Palin: “Change is Coming” on Stem Cell Research Policy:

  Indeed, “change is coming” to Washington. It looks like no matter who is president, we can say goodbye to our current stem cell policy as laid out in the White House stem cell report: Advancing Stem Cell Science Without Destroying Human Life.

• Off the [McCain] bandwagon? - Colleague Jay Anderson re-thinks his support.
  
• The ever-provocative ZippyCatholic on why a vote for McCain is a vote for a "Human Cannibal", with a rebuttal by Dr. Michael Liccione (Sacramentum Vitae).
  
• Dale Price: "McCain-Palin: Because the alternative will make you vomit."
  
• Not just abortion - Paul Zummo (Crankycon)
  
• Perfect vs. Good, by Red Cardigan, addressing the question: is it morally acceptable for a Catholic to vote for a candidate who supports that which is intrinsically evil?