Stem cell switch

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist broke party lines with President Bush on Friday by speaking out in favor of federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.  The senator now supports a bill that would lift the research limits imposed by the Bush administration four years ago.

"Connected Coast-to-Coast" host Ron Reagan and his mother, former First Lady Nancy Reagan, discuss how Frist’s decision affects their fight to further embryonic stem cell research.

RON REAGAN, ‘CONNECTED’ HOST: I’m about to do something on television I’ve never done before. Joining us right now on the phone, my mom. Welcome to the show! We’ve talked about this issue many times in private, but now we’re going to do it in my professional capacity. I know the practical and scientific implications of this bill aren’t necessarily as big as we’d like them to be, but is there a symbolic value in what Frist has done if this bill passes?

NANCY REAGAN, FORMER FIRST LADY: Oh, I should say so. First of all, it would give people hope — you have to have hope. You and I know what it’s like to live without hope, going through one of those diseases. So it gives people hope, and I think that’s the main thing.

R. REAGAN: Now, do you think with Bill Frist coming on board here, do you think the momentum has really shifted in our direction and in Congress now?

N. REAGAN: Oh yes I do. I’ve always thought it really was more in our direction than we even knew. I think that they were a little bit hesitant to come out. I made a lot of calls, as you know, and I got that feeling from many of the senators that I’ve talked to, they were just a little bit reluctant to come out.

R. REAGAN: I spoke to Bill Frist today and I know you spoke with Orrin Hatch because I was on the phone with you when he called. Orrin Hatch, of course, is a very conservative senator, from a very conservative state — Utah — and he’s a practicing Mormon.  But he’s been for embryonic stem cell research.  What was his feeling for the new break in the movement as it were?

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N. REAGAN: Like I do, like everybody else was, he was delighted. And I’ve said that to Senator Frist, too. I’m just delighted. Whatever brought him to this point, I’m delighted. It will help so many people Ron, if this passes, God willing, next month. It’ll help millions and millions of people.

R. REAGAN: Yes that’s true. Now there’s two more hurdles to go to get it passed in the Senate -- are you optimistic at this point?

N. REAGAN: I like to be optimistic. Yeah, I’m optimistic, but there are all types of things that can happen.

R. REAGAN: I don’t want you to jinx it or anything.  The other hurdle to pass is the White House. President Bush has said he will veto this legislation if it ever lands on his desk. Do you think he will ever follow through with that, or do you think that maybe he’s persuadable on this issue?

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N. REAGAN: I really don’t know. I hope we won’t veto. I hope he will look at it a little bit differently. If he does, I still think it will be a step forward for us, because I think it makes a statement. I just hope he doesn’t.

R. REAGAN: Now I know that you’ve been very involved, calling people, calling senators. Are you going to sit back now that Frist is involved?

N. REAGAN: Oh no, but I’ll let them have August off. The senators can relax; they’re not going to get a call from me.

R. REAGAN: Oh I don’t know, I think they like to hear from you. There may be some trepidation there. But you’re going to keep plugging away at this aren’t you.

N. REAGAN: I should say so, we’ve won this little bit.  But there’s a lot of work to be done.

R. REAGAN: Well I want to thank you for coming on the show with me, and by the way, how’s the back feeling?

N. REAGAN: Oh it’s better, slowly but surely; it likes to remind me though, every once in a while.

R. REAGAN: Well remember to talk to the doctors about the exercises you can do. Okay, I’ll talk to you later.  Love you.

N. REAGAN: Love you. Bye.