Hillary in Hanover: "Washington's an Evidence Free Zone"

This afternoon the Fire Marshall had to step in at Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH and prevent more folks from crowding into a room already crammed with close to 500 people eager to speak with Senator Clinton on stem cell legislation. Folks from Vermont, Massachusetts, and nearby Dartmouth Medical center had all come out to catch the Senator's remarks on stem cell legislation. I've mentioned it throughout my time in NH, but I've yet to see a Republican candidate with a similar sized audience.

Deriding the Bush Administration, Senator Clinton reminded the audience of President Bush's contempt for scientific research throughout his term with global warming, FDA approval for Plan B contraception, and every other time the scientific community has weighed in on an issue the Republican party opposes. Articulating the entire debate, she reminded the audience that "[support for stem cells] is very much a pro-life position". Folks with ALS, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, or any other genetic ailment have taken note. She had three folks on stage, two of which were registered Republicans, who had come out to support Hillary and her strong position on stem cells.

Also, Senator Clinton mentioned that Democrats are getting close to overturning the President's veto on stem cell legislation - currently they're around 30 votes away in the House, and one vote in the Senate. The President's heavy handed, and morally questionable policy for stem cells research has shown to be an impediment to both economic growth, and effective research, especially in the last few years. Relating a story about a California researcher, Hillary stated that recently two years worth of research in a private lab was destroyed when a refrigeration unit went out and the scientist was banned by law from temporarily transferring her cells into a refrigeration unit in the lab next door because that other lab was publicly funding. Also, she mentioned how Tony Blair regularly meets with scientists when he's in the states to encourage them to explore research in the UK without the obstacles they find in America.

The hour long conversation was an emotional campaign stop, one that invoked personal issues more than I've seen at other stops. Folks stood up and were passionate with the Senator because this is an issue that hits people at home with their families. Nancy Reagan understands that, so does Hillary Clinton and the hundreds of folks in Hanover today.