My, we’re getting snippy today, aren’t we?

Q One factual thing here. Well, let me just get an answer to this first part. The fact is that the Republican Party is moving away from this President, and there is a feeling that Senator Frist articulated today that, in effect, the President is stuck in a 2001 decision when the science is passing him by.

MR. McCLELLAN: Okay, I’m going to disagree with you right now on saying the Republican Party is moving away. The Republican Party is united and moving forward to implement important priorities for the American people. This week has been one of the most successful weeks —

Q On stem cell — I’m talking about this issue.

MR. McCLELLAN: No, no, you made a general statement that they’re moving away.

Q No, no, I meant on this issue. I meant on this issue.

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, but let me talk about this issue, because some of you in this room, and some of your colleagues, two months ago, were saying that this President is facing lame duck status, that we can’t get things done that —

Q Let’s not divert off of that, Scott. I was specific to this issue. Let’s not get off on that.

MR. McCLELLAN: Of course, you don’t want to talk about it.

Q That was your opening statement, you had time about that. No, the Republicans support you on any number of things, I can list them —

MR. McCLELLAN: You don’t want to talk about it.

Q I’d love to talk about it, let’s lengthen the briefing, but one question about —

MR. McCLELLAN: I’m not going anywhere.

Q — you said 600 shipment of lines and 3,000 lines available.

MR. McCLELLAN: An additional 3,000.

Q Senator Frist said today that there were supposed to be 78 stem cell lines after the August 9th decision, and there’s only 22 available today, and some of those have degraded to the point that they’re not useful. So how do you square those numbers?

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, I just pointed out — because what you can do from those stem cells that are available is derive additional lines. And that’s why I pointed out that there’s 600-some lines that are already being used right now. There are an additional 3,000 more that are going to be available for this kind of research. The fact of the matter is, we’re still in the early stages of the research.

Now I want to back up, because I do think it’s important to talk about the accomplishments. Maybe you don’t want to talk about it, because a number of people in the media were saying just two months ago —

Q Don’t start with that.

MR. McCLELLAN: No, let’s start with that.

Q Don’t take me on like I don’t want to talk about it. That’s ridiculous. You want to make your statement, make your statement. I was asking you a specific question on a specific issue, and don’t try to turn this into a screed about the media.

MR. McCLELLAN: Then don’t make a broad statement, like you did.

Q I corrected myself. I meant on this issue.

MR. McCLELLAN: Of course you don’t want to talk about it, because you don’t want the American people to hear about the great progress that we’re making on the legislative front.

Q I thought I heard your opening statement pretty clearly.

MR. McCLELLAN: I’m sure you’ll be reporting on it later tonight.

Q Watch the broadcast tomorrow.