"His first veto will be a veto that will dash the hopes of tens of millions of Americans" Colorado, National Leadership, Policy Issues

It is already common knowledge among most parts by this time of the day, that Bush cast his first veto in 5 1/2 years as president today against stem cell legislation.

While this debate has national implications, it is worthwhile noting that the true leader in this debate has been U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (CO-1) - a real Western Democrat.

"This is not just some wedge issue like flag burning. This is medical research that could save millions of lives," she (DeGette) said. (Rocky Mountain News)

Sometimes I feel that we rarely highlight women who exemplify the Western Democrat mindset.

Plainly said, women are not represented in the "talk straight, wear cowboy boots" club nearly as often as they should. But there is a different kind of Western Democrat, still as powerful as the straight-laced, straight-talking Governor or Attorney General: a Western Democrat who gets things done by bringing people together.

A Western Democrat is someone who bridges party-lines and brings sides together to provide common good solution for his/her constituents, state residents or the nation as a whole.

Representative Diana DeGette is a true Western Democrat in this sense. Her stem cell legislation was a work of passion and dedication. In a recent article in the Rocky Mountain News, Diana was highlighted in direct contrast with Marylin Musgrave, that hate-monger from northern Colorado:

Both Colorado congresswomen are watching their issues land on the national agenda right in the middle of a hotly contested, mid-term election season.

DeGette, who has formed a political action committee to push for candidates who share her belief in embryonic stem-cell research, believes there is wide, public support for expanding research into deadly conditions like diabetes, spinal cord injuries and others.

She predicts the issue could sway some congressional districts around the country. In Colorado's 7th District, Democratic hopeful Ed Perlmutter already is running television ads (featuring his epileptic daughter) and touting his support for expanded research.

But the stem cell issue also riles opponents of abortion who equate experimentation on embryos as the destruction of human life. That means it also could motivate those voters to turn out in greater numbers.

Musgrave's proposed marriage amendment could have a similar effect, and it's certain to be used in drives to draw religious conservatives to the polls, as it was used to great effect in 2004.

The contrast could not be clearer. DeGette is championing an issue that has wide bipartisan support and could help save the lives of millions of Americans (Bush vetoes it). Musgrave is pushing forward with a hateful agenda that does nothing to help the lives of Americans, but restricts the rights of minorities and pleases his base (Bush supports it).

DeGette had some strong words for Bush and also shed some light on her internal motivation:

"I guess what the president is saying is he thinks it would be better to throw these embryos away as medical waste."

She has been inspired in her drive for the legislation by her 12-year-old daughter, Francesca, who has Type 1 diabetes.

The Western Democrat goes beyond the boots or the jeans and works towards a greater politics of inclusion and competance. We need more Western Democrats like DeGette in Congress who have passion for their work and the natural ability to bring people together.

P.S. - Just for kicks, check out DeGette on Colbert. Don't let the creative cutting and splicing fool you, she is a smart lady with a legislative talent to match.

Landon Mascareñaz | July 19, 2006 | Comment on This Post (1 so far) Permalink: "His first veto will be a veto that will dash the hopes of tens of millions of Americans" Colorado, National Leadership, Policy Issues

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