Chuckonian View of an Iron Frist

We hear that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) has publicly changed his stance on federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. In Chuckonia, we have complex and complicated views on stem cell research itself. However, we fully understand the political implications and assumed implications (by the media) of a move such as that which Doctor Senator Frist has taken. That is what we're here to talk about this morning - the implications, not the stem cells. We say morning as it is morning when we write, and we hope your morning is as bright as ours. And now, for commentary from the leader of the Chuckonian Federation...
As a Tennessean, a Republican, and a lay citizen, I like Bill Frist. He's had a great career as a doctor and philanthropist, and I truly admire the fact that he still practices medicine in some form even now as a Senator (working legislators had practically died out when the federal Congress took on a more year-round role many years ago). When making his support of federally funded stem cell research public, Senator Frist said that he was thinking like a doctor and a scientist. One cannot blame him for this, as he has been such for a far longer time than he has been a Republican or a Senator (the fact that he did not register to vote until he was several years advanced from voting age does, naturally, disturb us). Some would say that he's got nothing to lose in the Senate by disagreeing with President Bush, since he's promised Tennessee that he would not seek re-election in 2006 (a heated race of challengers has already begun here). Others say that he is only trying to appease the slightly more liberal Republicans in his possible quest for a 2008 presidential run. I doubt a Republican in any realm would see this issue as one so advantageous, since (quite honestly) most Americans do not understand the issue well enough to make it a "make or break" question when going to the polls. Therefore, I simply say that I am proud of my Senator, not for coming out against the President on this issue and not for playing what could be a brilliantly sly political move (if it were one), but for swallowing his pride and his politics in a world of media vultures and ignorant elitists and speaking his mind (as long as that doesn't include declaring "I am the Senate" in true Palpatine fashion). That is something we pride in the Chuckonian Federation.
As for stem cell research itself, we will not discuss it today. Perhaps in a later entry, when more thought and analysis can be given to the issue, we will. As for now, that's the view from Chuckonia.