HAMPTON, Oct. 4 ? A confident John Kerry lead a part town hall meeting part panel discussion on embryonic stem cell research that coincides with a new television on the same topic.
A Kerry campaign spokesman says the ad will begin airing in the Granite State this week and then rotate among the top battleground states.
At Kerry?s side was both the former Governor of New Hampshire , Jeanne Shaheen, and actor Michael J. Fox, who has been an advocate for further stem cell research since he announced he has Parkinson?s disease a few years ago.
Fox told the crowd of 1,000 at Winnacunnet High School that Bush?s Aug. 2001 decision to limit the federal funding of stem cell research only to existing lines ?sent us in the wrong direction? in terms of funding cures for 100 million Americans ? and 600,000 New Hampshire residents -- suffering from certain diseases like Alzheimers, diabetes and Parkinson?s disease.
Kerry used this issue at a time when both candidates visit battleground states promoting domestic issues. While Kerry was on the Seacoast discussing stem cell research, President Bush was in Iowa signing the latest tax cut.
Polls have found that a majority of Americas favor stem cell research. Critics contend that there are significant ethical problems with using cell from unborn fetuses.
?Our president just doesn?t get it,? Kerry said. ?Faced with the facts, he just turns away. Time and time again, he proven that he?s stubborn, out of touch and unwilling to change course. But the fact is, this isn?t about politics or ideology ? it?s about how science can change lives,? Kerry said.
His trip was the third trip to the Granite State since January?s presidential primary and first in nearly two months. During the same two month period, Bush has been here three time, totaling over six New Hampshire trips since the primary.
Polls have suggested that New Hampshire is one of the top battleground states in the country. The latest two polls have Bush and Kerry tied.
The stem cell discussion Monday came the morning after a 1,500 person rally late Sunday night right after Kerry?s campaign plane landed at Pease International Tradeport in Newington .
In the new campaign ad, Kerry says, ?It?s time to lift the political barriers blocking the stem cell research.?
The Bush campaign plans to told a conference call later today in response.
