There has been some evidence during the campaign that McCain;s position on embryonic stem cell research was softening. I was skeptical of drawing any conclusions having discussed it with McCain several times. But now the more optimistic prediction has come to pass.

We have Sen. Sam Brownback to thank for this, I am sure.

In response to a questionnaire submitted by ScienceDebat2008, the McCain campaign indicated a McCain administration would continue the present limitations on research instituted by President Bush and would seek to outlaw somatic cell transfer completely.

The scientists quoted in the article are not too happy with McCain's apparent shift on the issue.

My friend John Jakubczyk of Phoenix, who has known McCain a long time, had been bugging me about this all summer. I kept telling him, "No way, no way is McCain going to change on this." To which he replied, "But Sam [Brownback], I know, is talking to him."

I guess this is one case where I set my sights too low. . . . lesson learned.