ROVE: BUSH'S FIRST VETO WOULD BE STEM-CELL BILL

President Bush likely will cast the first veto of his presidency if the Senate, as expected, passes legislation to expand federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research, White House aide Karl Rove said Monday.

"The president is emphatic about this," Rove said in a meeting with the editorial board of The DENVER POST, newsroom sources tell the DRUDGE REPORT.

The U.S. House of Representatives has already passed the legislation, co-sponsored by Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., and Rep. Mike Castle, R-Del. If the Senate approves the bill this month it would go to the president's desk.

"It is something we would, frankly, like to avoid," Rove said

The POST's John Farrell is filing a report.

Developing...
Drudge

How pathetic.