If you haven’t already, I suggest that you look at the post by the FlashReport’s Los Angeles Area 
Correspondent, Mike Spence, who has posted something very disturbing. Last week, Congressman Brian Bilbray voted to override President Bush’s veto on using government funds to finance stem cell research. We can have a whole debate about whether that was a good or bad vote on policy grounds. But that is NOT the disturbing part.
Apparently, as Bilbray was in the battle of his life to win election to the House in the special election in CD 50, Bilbray filled out a questionnaire for the National Right to Life Committee. Not only did he check a box saying he would not vote to override a stem-cell veto, but, well – here is an excerpt from Spence’s piece:
Big deal except, Bilbray promised that he would support the President’s policy IN WRITING. Again, attached is the questionnaire.
Look at question number four.
"Would you oppose any legislation that would authorize federal funding of research for which the killing of human embryos would be a predicate step or necessary?"
Bilbray answers yes after adding in writing. "I support President Bush’s policy of limiting research to existing lines of cells." Just so there is no mistaking his position look at the last page where he signs it. Bilbray adds. "On Question 4: I strongly support laws aggressively outlawing the creation of embryos for research purposes. I am opposed to any "sale" of human life in any form."
I have reached out to Bilbray (via his personal e-mail) and to his staff (via his Press Secretary) for any kind of explanation — but so far, after a day and a half, have heard nothing.
I always get frustrated when I run into a candidate who says, "I don’t sign pledge forms," (maybe John Campbell can comment as I think he is one of these) but I think it is better to decline to fill out a questionnaire than it is to say one thing and do something else.
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The Golden Pen Award today goes to a column I actually read in Sunday’s Los Angeles Times, penned by someone I consider to be a political opponent (well, except when HE crossed party lines to support a Republican for Mayor of my home town of Irvine) — Mark Petracca. Petracca pens a great piece that is critical of efforts to add a third term for members of the Los Angeles City Council. It is relevant because much of what he says may be instructive for those in Sacramento who are looking to extend term limits for the State Legislature.
- Don’t miss Nicholas Romero’s post on Tom McClintock’s Campaign Team.
- The Field Poll says that Arnold is up 8 points. Dan Weintraub pens a nice piece on this.
- FR friend Debra Saunders pens a piece in the Chron on habitually late politicians, using the Governor as her example de jour. (LOL – in this piece, Debra talks about totally forgetting she had a lunch appointment with Katie Levinson of Team Arnold – she stood her up!)
- Phil Angelides and Arnold Schwarzenegger both talked a lot yesterday about how government is going to solve our health care challenges — when it is government intervention that has caused many of them.
- It isn’t surprising that Richard Pombo’s primary opponent, Pete McCloskey, has endorsed the Democrat in the race, and also called for Republicans to lose the House. Let’s not forget he supported John Kerry for President!
Have a great day!
Jon
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