Specter's playing for keeps on stem cells

So says Margaret Carlson in an LA Times op ed:

One of her observations:

[Sen. Arlen] Specter, who has been battling Hodgkin's disease since February, is his own draw now. Never weaker physically, never stronger mentally, Specter says he is propelled out of bed each day by his work and by the hundreds of letters he has received from patients determined to see stem cell research expanded. His former chief of staff, David Urban, calls him the Lance Armstrong of the Senate: "If you close your eyes and don't look at his bald head and gaunt cheeks, but just listen to him, you'd think he was a well man at the height of his powers."

UPDATE: Specter threatens an end run, may attach stem cell measure to appropriations bill. Washington Post.