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February 10, 2006

MD: Steele Compares Stem Cells to the Holocaust

From the Baltimore Sun:

Discussing his position on embryonic stem cell research with Baltimore Jewish leaders yesterday, Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele said he is "concerned about the destruction of human life" and made a comparison between the controversial science and experiments done on Jews during the Holocaust.

"You of all folks know what happens when people decide they want to experiment on human beings, when they want to take your life and use it as a tool," said Steele, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, to a crowd of about 40 at a Baltimore Jewish Council board meeting. "I know that as well in my community, out of our experience with slavery, and so I'm very cautious when people say this is the best new thing, this is going to save lives."

Steele's remarks, which followed a well-received speech about his trip to Israel in November, came in response to a board member's question about Steele's stance on embryonic stem cell research. His answer stunned many in the audience.

"If the lieutenant governor was drawing a comparison between stem cell research and human medical experimentation during the Holocaust, he must understand the pain this kind of analogy would inflict on survivors and their families," Art Abramson, executive director of the Baltimore Jewish Council, said in a statement to The Sun. "We absolutely reject any comparisons between ethical and lifesaving medical research, and the horrors committed by the Nazis in their evil drive to create a master race. We welcome any clarification Lt. Gov. Steele can offer about his remarks."

Something tells me Ben Cardin will be winning the Jewish vote (hint: he's Jewish).

Thanks to Andrew for pointing this story out.

Posted by Max at February 10, 2006 12:38 PM

Comments

By the way, before 21st Majority starts telling us how "no, Steele WILL win the Jewish vote", I think it may be of interest that Kerry got 86% of Maryland's Jews.

After a comment like this, Steele expects to get more than that 14% how?

Posted by: Nathaniel at February 10, 2006 01:01 PM

Posted by: Jeff H at February 10, 2006 04:39 PM

that kerry was 50% jewish, not a suprise

Posted by: considering at February 10, 2006 05:56 PM

How is this race even close? Because Steele is black?! Seriously, Cardin should be ahead now by about 82%-09%!!

Posted by: BlueDog at February 11, 2006 12:40 AM

omg u guys r stupid steele has this 1 in the bank
democrats keep up their racist tricks theyll lose teh black vote... doesnt matter how many jewish votes u get because of this
blacks are social conservatives and this is smart politics by steele

steele by a mile!

Posted by: republicanpower at February 13, 2006 01:34 AM

Oh know everyone!

We're going to lose "teh black vote!"

Posted by: BlueDog at February 13, 2006 08:37 AM

21st Majority I feel sympathy for you, to have someone like that on your side.

Posted by: Safi at February 13, 2006 11:38 AM

Any body who thinks Steele will steal a large percentage of black voters away from the Democrats are an drugs. The Black electorate is a monolithical Democratic voting group. Despite the so called outreach by the RNC to appeal to Black voters. Bush got between 10-15 percent of the Black vote in 2000 and 2004. Michael Steele will appeal to White Moderate voters in the Baltimore Suburbs. Voters that are fiscally conservative socially liberal. Voters that are tough on crime. William Donald Schaffer voters.
Ben Cardin represents those voters in his Suburban Baltimore Area Congressional District.

Cardin(D)55%
Steele(R)45%

Posted by: Neal Patel at February 14, 2006 09:32 AM

Steele and Cardin will likely split suburban Baltimore voters (especially those in Cardin's district.) That's not good enough for Steele, who needs to win them by a towering margin to compensate for Democratic strength in Baltimore City and the DC suburbs (Montgomery and Prince George's Counties).

Even if Steele steals some black votes (no pun intended), Cardin's strength in suburban Baltimore should keep him ahead. And I don't think that there'll be the major black defections that the GOP claims; any personal appeal that Steele shows will likely be trumped by the fact that he wants to go to Washington to usually vote with the Bush administration, who is about as popular as bird flu in the black community (and isn't much more popular in some white areas of the state, like Montgomery, where I live.)

I think Neal's prediction of the final result is just about right at this point, regardless of what polls nine months out show.

Posted by: Mike in Maryland at February 14, 2006 12:58 PM