Ingraham likened embryonic stem cell research to "public executions of child molesters"

On the October 30 edition of CNN's Larry King Live, when asked by host Larry King if she would "agree that more than 50 percent of the public would support stem cell research," nationally syndicated radio host Laura Ingraham replied: "I think more than 50 percent of the public would probably approve of public executions of child molesters, but it doesn't mean that we actually do that, Larry. I mean, please." Ingraham's comments came after former presidential adviser David Gergen asserted that a majority of Americans favor stem cell research.

From the October 30 edition of CNN's Larry King Live:

DAVID GERGEN (former presidential adviser): Let's hold on. The Pew surveys, which are very good, have shown that since 2002 to 2006, the more people understand what is at stake, the more they approve of stem cell research. The numbers are clear that the support for stem cell research has gone up 13 percent in the last four years. It's now a majority because it goes to the point that [Democratic strategist] James [Carville] is making. This is about preserving life.

KING: Now --

INGRAHAM: It's about destroying life if you believe that embryos are human beings. They're early --

KING: But as a political -- Laura.

INGRAHAM: We were all embryos at one point, were we not?

KING: Let's get back to -- let's get back to politics, Laura. Laura --

INGRAHAM: Speaking as a former embryo --

GERGEN: Speak for yourself.

KING: Laura, would you -- Laura, would you agree that more than 50 percent of the public would support stem cell research?

INGRAHAM: I think more than 50 percent of the public would probably approve of public executions of child molesters, but it doesn't mean that we actually do that, Larry. I mean, please.

—B.A.