Embryonic stem-cell opponents decry hefty donation to Blunt

Several groups opposed to embryonic stem cell research say they're distressed by Gov. Matt Blunt's $250,000 campaign donation from a group supporting such research.

"It's appalling that any candidate would take any money from an organization that supports the destruction of human embryos for research," said Sam Lee, executive director of Campaign Life Missouri, an anti-abortion lobbying group.

He added, "These large amounts of money give the appearance that candidates and officeholders are for sale."

Bought and paid for, it seems...

Pam Fichter, president of Missouri Right to Life, the state's largest anti-abortion group, declined to say whether the donation would affect her group's decision over which candidates to endorse in next year's statewide election.

Missouri Right to Life supported Blunt, a Republican, in his first bid for governor in 2004. But many of the group's leaders have been at odds with him for several years since then, largely because of their differences on the stem cell issue.

Blunt's position on ESCR is more than problematic - it's appalling, disgraceful, and a source of scandal yet Jay Nixon's positions on the sanctity of human life are even worse:

Blunt spokesman John Hancock said anti-abortion activists should remember there is "a cavernous difference" between Blunt and Nixon on most other abortion-related issues. Blunt has emphasized his abortion opposition, while Nixon supports abortion rights.

Catholics will need to seriously review Archbishop Burke's Pastoral Letter, "On Our Civic Responsibility for the Common Good," when voting for candidates for public office this next year.

The Post Dispatch article is here.