On Keith Olbermann's program Friday, March 6 Margaret Carlson made a comment during a discussion on stem cell research.  

Carlson's statement related to the announcement by the Obama administration that same day that an executive order would be initiated lifting the previous ban by the Bush administration.

Citing John McCain's position in the 2008 presidential campaign that he also favored lifting the ban imposed by the Bush administration, Carlson concluded that in this one policy area there would have been comparable action in a McCain administration.

Irrespective of McCain's then stated position, which was more inclined to be palatable to moderate and independent voters that he needed to win over to be competitive or ultimately defeat Obama, my mind immediately began to focus on the strong power wielded by the religious right in Republican politics.