Stem Cells' New Role: Kingmaker

While most voters are focusing on Iraq, congressional races in Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and other states could turn on the stem cell issue. It''s a particularly prominent issue this year since President Bush used the first veto of his presidency on a bill that would have expanded federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. The move essentially left the issue for individual states to sort out.

The state campaigns are numerous and difficult to track. So John Hlinko, the veteran internet grass-roots organizer who spearheaded DraftWesleyClark, has launched a website called StemCellCandidates to highlight -- and facilitate donations for -- the races in which the stem cell issue is most likely to tip the scales.