071301From Nancy Reagan, a Nod Toward Embryonic Stem Cell Research
July 13, 2001
From Nancy Reagan, a Nod Toward Embryonic Stem Cell Research
By FRANK BRUNI
ASHINGTON, July 12 — Nancy Reagan has privately indicated her
support for research on embryonic stem cells, and two of her
husband's closest former aides have conveyed her position to senior
White House officials, people familiar with Mrs. Reagan's feelings
said today.
Many physicians and scientists say such research could help them
make significant strides toward a cure for Alzheimer's disease,
which afflicts former President Ronald Reagan and millions of other
Americans.
And the signals that Mrs. Reagan, the former first lady, has sent
the White House underscore how divided the Republican party is on
federal support for the research.
The Reagans are perhaps held in the highest regard by the very
social conservatives who are urging President Bush to oppose the
research. Mrs. Reagan's support for it illustrates how politically
complicated the issue is and suggests that if Mr. Bush approves
federal financing of the research, he will have defenders and find
political cover in unlikely and helpful places.
"This is one of those classic issues that, in a sense, redefines
some things," said Connie Mack, the former Republican senator from
Florida who opposes abortion but supports the research. Mr. Mack
said it made the issue "more confusing" for Mr. Bush when someone
like Mrs. Reagan, who never participated in the abortion debate,
supported research on embryonic stem cells.
"On the margin, it might have some impact," Mr. Mack said. "But it's
hard to quantify."
Two former Reagan aides, Kenneth M. Duberstein and Michael K.
Deaver, have met and had telephone conversations with advisers to
President Bush over the last six weeks, people who know about the
discussions said. They said Mr. Duberstein and Mr. Deaver also met
with Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi, the Republican leader, and
House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, Republican of Illinois, to share
Mrs. Reagan's views and their own.
The meetings of Mr. Duberstein and Mr. Deaver with Congressional
leaders were first reported today in The Wall Street Journal. Their
discussions on the issue with White House officials have not
previously been reported.
Neither Mr. Duberstein nor Mr. Deaver returned telephone messages
left with them today. What they have seemingly been doing over the
last six weeks, as they talked with other Republicans in Washington
and around the country, is trying indirectly to give the Reagans'
seal of approval to the research.
Mrs. Reagan has not publicly expressed her feelings about embryonic
stem cell research. A spokeswoman for Mrs. Reagan did not return
telephone messages left for her last week and today.
Former President Reagan publicly identified himself as an opponent
of abortion. But Mrs. Reagan was thought to have private views that
were more permissive or at least less clear cut.
"I don't believe in abortion," Mrs. Reagan told students at George
Washington University in 1994, nearly six years after her husband
left office. "On the other hand, I believe in a woman's choice."
"That puts me somewhere in the middle," she continued, "but I don't
know what to call that."
Mr. Bush is expected to decide this month on federal financing for
the research.
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