Social issues stir passions

"But," he continued, "as we profess tolerance, we shouldn't change, or have to change, our basic views on the sanctity of marriage." He also decried the actions of "activist judges," an implicit swipe at Kerry's Massachusetts.

For both candidates, the most potentially volatile wedge issue is embryonic stem-cell research. Kerry and his running mate, Sen. John Edwards, often refer to Bush's "ban" on stem-cell research, which is an oversimplification of the president's position.

In 2001, in fact, Bush became the first president to allow federal funding for this area of research, but in so doing, he limited the number of stem-cell lines available for research that draws on public funds.

As with the assault-weapons ban, he sought to thread the needle with an answer for both sides: Support research, by allowing the use of stem-cell lines from embryos that had already been destroyed, but honor his opposition to abortion by banning federal funding for research using newly destroyed embryos. Bush also favors research on adult stem cells. In July, a poll for American Demographics magazine found that if Kerry announced a major initiative to expand embryonic stem-cell research, he could potentially take away one-fifth of Bush's vote.

But Kerry has opted for caution. In the final presidential debate, which focused on domestic issues, stem cells barely came up. Ironically, the recent death of paralyzed actor Christopher Reeve, who was a vocal advocate for expanded research, makes it trickier for Kerry himself to make a big final push on the issue. He needs to avoid being seen taking advantage of that, analysts say, while letting others, such as Mr. Reeve's widow, do the talking.

If Kerry had pushed the issue harder early on, "he could have strengthened his support among suburban soccer moms, married voters, and of course voters over 65, and he didn't do it," says pollster John Zogby. "Right now, it's got to be the sort of thing he hammers on. It has crossover potential that could bring moderate Republicans to his side."

The emergence of gay marriage and stem cells as wedge issues in the 2004 election has pushed an old warhorse, abortion, off the front pages. In some ways, embryonic stem-cell research adds a new dimension to the abortion issue, as both revolve around the issue of life.

But abortion rights, too, are very much at the forefront of yet another area that is being watched closely by social-issue activists, but followed little by the public: judicial appointments. The direction of all these culture-war battlefields could hang in the balance, depending on who makes the next round of appointments.

Stem cells

• Bush: Approved first federal funds for embryonic stem-cell research, but confines the aid to lines that existed as of August 2001. Favors research on adult stem cells.

• Kerry: Would quadruple federal funding for stem-cell research to $100 million annually, and would allow the use of embryos left over from infertility treatments.

Gay marriage

• Bush: Supports a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, but would leave decisions on civil unions and partnership benefits to states.

• Kerry: Opposes constitutional ban on gay marriage; supports civil unions. He'd leave decisions on marriage to the states.

Guns

• Bush: Supported extending a decade-old ban assault-weapons this year, but didn't push Congress to vote on a bill.

• Kerry: Supported the 1994 ban when it came up for renewal this year, though a final bill never came up for a vote.

Abortion

• Bush: Supports parental-consent laws and ban on "partial birth" abortion. Opposes abortion except in case of rape, incest, or pregnancies that jeopardize the mother's life. Opposes use of federal funds to promote abortion.

• Kerry: Supports abortion rights and and would nominate only Supreme Court justices who share that view. Opposes parental-consent laws and bans on "partial birth" abortion; would expand availability of the "morning after" pill.

Source: Associated Press, candidate statements

Sept. 28 Energy and environment

Oct. 1 Healthcare

Oct. 6 Jobs and economy

Oct. 12 Supreme Court

Oct. 18 Social Security

Oct. 20 Foreign policy

Oct. 26 Immigration

Links to these stories are on csmonitor.com/decision2004

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