Here in Champaign, a News Gazette story describes a controversy involving Mike Frerichs, Democratic candidate for Illinois State Senate.  Frerichs has come out in support of a proposal to provide state financing for stem cell research.  Frerichs' opponent is criticizing him for supposedly flip-flopping on the issue.  According to the News Gazette, the basis for her criticism is the fact that in 1998 Frerichs answered "yes" on a candidate questionnaire.  The question, posed by a Right to Life group, involved whether he would vote yes "to prevent the use of tissues and organs from deliberately aborted children in transplants or for medical experiments?"

Well, personally I support stem cell research to the fullest extent, but I would have likely answered "yes" to that question too.  No one would support deliberately aborting children for medical experiments.  In my opinion, it is pure fiction that Frerichs has somehow changed his position on the issue because of this.  Get serious.

But, the main point here is this: If you are a candidate and you get a questionnaire, you do not have to fill it out.  If the questionnaire is from a mainstream media outlet, then fill it out.  If it comes from a fringe group from the far left or the far right, then think twice.  If there's no chance that this group will support you, then what do you have to gain by answering it at all?

The article is at:
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2006/11/01/views_offered_by_state_senate_candidates_on_stem-cell_research

 

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