Bob Klein’s advocacy group has just apologized for its sharp personal attack on Sen. Sheila Kuehl because she supports SB 1565 and has removed the offending article from the Daily Kos blog.

Co-executive directors of Americans for Cures, Amy Daly and Constance McKee are taking the blame and write the following in a message to the California Stem Cell Report:

"This posting did not go through our normal review clearances. The choice of language was inappropriate and did not reflect the respect that senior members of the organization have for Senator Kuehl …

"It should be noted that Bob Klein was completely unaware of our actions on this. We have not spoken to him or met with him in well over two weeks. I’m certain that he is as disappointed in our judgment as you, and we, are.
 
"Please forgive us and please put the blame for this where it belongs – on Americans for Cures Foundation staff involved in this individual posting – not on Bob Klein."

 
What this incident underscores is how inappropriate it is for Klein to hold  positions as chairman of the California stem cell agency and president of a stem cell advocacy group simultaneously.  If he wants to be an advocate — and he can indeed be effective as the passage of Proposition 71 demonstrates — he must step down from his position as chairman of the stem cell board.

The welcomed staff apology does not change the fundamental confict Klein faces by insisting on holding both positions.