Mixed Messages

Not unexpected from the Bush administration (I say that because I've heard this type of thing from defenders of the Bush position in the administration before) , but perhaps a surprise from the mouth of Tony Snow:

In the context of explaining and defending Bush's veto, Snow bragged on the President for..funding embryo-destructive research.

As encouraging as the President's action was, the statements on the issue from White House spokesman Tony Snow in today's press briefing were disappointing for pro-life advocates.  Snow spent most of the time in the press briefing painting President Bush as more liberal than former President Bill Clinton regarding embryonic stem cell research.  Responding to the first question on the matter he stated, "The President is the first ever to have financed research using embryonic stem cell lines."

Responding to another question, Snow said, "I think a President acting on conscience -- a President who, again -- Bill Clinton, as President, didn't authorize any of these lines. This is a President who's spent more money on embryonic stem cell research and stem cell research generally than any President in American history. He's got the track record. What's happening now is that people are trying to politicize it by accusing him of standing in the way of science, when he's the guy who's made it possible to open up the way to science."   

Rod Dreher comments on the veto and what's at stake. He's right - but talk about the fundamental principles here is pointless if the Administration is going to also brag about allowing embryonic stem cell research.