Upon learning from the Denver Post [2] that Karl Rove said President Bush would exercise the first veto of his presidency to nuke the stem cell research bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Diana DeGette, the Denver Congresswoman requested a sit-down with the President to discuss the bill. He has turned her down flat, and she is angry [3].

DeGette was livid, firing off an angry statement in response. "It's regrettable that President Bush will not even grant us the common courtesy of a meeting to discuss stem cell research," DeGette said. "However, it's downright insulting that, at the same time, he sent his head political adviser to my hometown with a veto threat."

Here's what Bush's letter [4] said:

"Although the president would appreciate meeting with you, we are unable to accommodate your request. Thank you for understanding," the White House wrote in a four-sentence letter DeGette received today. The letter did not explain why Bush declined the meeting.