Governor Schwarzenegger breaks with Republican Party to endorse stem cell research measure

• Arnold Schwarzenegger broke with the state Republican Party on Monday and endorsed Proposition 71, a $3 billion bond measure that would fund human embryonic stem-cell research.
• Schwarzenegger endorsed the measure while answering reporters' questions at Point Lobos State Reserve in Monterey County, where he was presented with a plan to protect California's coastline.
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• "I'm very much interested in stem-cell research," he said.
• The endorsement was highly sought by the Yes on 71 campaign, but comes at some political risk for the governor.
• During last year's recall election, Schwarzenegger campaigned against California going deeper in debt.
• But he then promoted a $15 billion bond deal that voters approved in March.
• If Proposition 71 is passed, it will provide California researchers with nearly $300 million annually for 10 years but cost a total of $6 billion to pay back over 20 years.
• The endorsement will also put him at odds with the state Republican Party, which officially opposes Proposition 71, and perhaps even the Bush administration -- which has limited funding of the research.
• On the other hand, Schwarzenegger has said he supports the technology.
• His father-in-law, Sargent Shriver, is in the early grips of Alzheimer's disease, which Proposition 71 supporters say could someday be treated by stem cells.
• Stem cells are created in the first days after conception and are the building blocks of life.
• Some researchers hope to turn stem cells into replacement tissue to treat a variety of diseases and injuries.
• But many social conservatives oppose the research because it involves destroying microscopic embryos.