I was a bit surprised to see Andrew Sullivan link to an attack on the Kass council personnel changes–an attack that centers on the question of embryonic stem-cell research–and write, “More evidence of the Bush administration’s catering to the anti-technological views of some on the far right. More reason for Independent voters to reconsider their support.” Isn’t Sullivan himself a “far right” guy on this issue? Back in 2001, when the big debate about federal funding for such research was raging, Sullivan wrote an eloquent column coming out against the research–and even tiptoeing toward the view that IVF clinics should be regulated. I hope that Sullivan’s passionate opposition to the Bush administration (and to religious conservatives) on other issues isn’t clouding his judgment on this one. (I really do hope that, btw, it’s not just a way of sniping at him. His taking the anti-embryo destruction line was an important contribution to that 2001 debate.)