Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) – Declaring that the political debate is over, Gov. Jim Doyle is calling on Congress to pass legislation expanding government-financed embryonic stem cell research, despite President Bush's promise to veto it.,”

WASHINGTON (AP) – Declaring that the political debate is over, Gov. Jim Doyle is calling on Congress to pass legislation expanding government-financed embryonic stem cell research, despite President Bush's promise to veto it.

"I think the president's position is becoming more and more untenable," Doyle said Wednesday after meeting with Senate Democrats on the issue. "The political debate on this is over."

The House passed a stem cell bill three weeks ago, but the 253-174 margin was short of the two-thirds required to overturn a presidential veto.

Doyle, a Democrat, said his support for embryonic stem cell research was instrumental in his November victory over Republican challenger Mark Green.

"I believe the people of Wisconsin spoke very clearly on this," the governor said, adding that those opposed to the research are in "a very bad place to be politically."

“,”Frederic J. Frommer”

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