Stop the Presses: Orrin Hatch Stands Up to Dubya

Orrin Hatch Doesn't stray from the Republican flock very often, but he's standing up to George Bush, at least for now:

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Orrin Hatch expressed support Wednesday for the controversial bill to expand federal support of embryonic stem cell research, making a clear break from President Bush who has vowed to veto the measure.

"I respect President Bush's views on this issue, and I fully support his efforts to promote embryo adoption in this country ..." the Utah Republican said at a news conference.

"But I know, as a long standing pro-life Senator, that it is possible to be both anti-abortion and pro-embryonic stem cell research. I am pleased that many Right-to-Life Congressmen reached the same conclusion when the House voted yesterday."

Hatch said after carefully considering the issue and praying about it, he determined "that human life does not begin in a Petri dish."

It seems, however, that our other federal legislators are getting mixed messages from the Almighty:

The House approved the legislation Tuesday. Utah's three representatives split, with Republicans Rob Bishop and Chris Cannon opposing the measure and Democrat Jim Matheson supporting it.

Every now in then, Senator-for-Life Hatch shows a little bit of a mysterious maverick streak. Let's all hope this doesn't adversely effect the BRAC process.

"Embryo adoption anyone, heheh?

Read the full Std-Ex article here.