Republicans criticized President Obama yesterday for lifting a ban on federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research. However, two new polls find that a majority of Americans actually favor it.

"This decision runs counter to President Obama's promise to be a president for all Americans," House Minority Leader John Boehner said yesterday. "I fully support stem cell research, but I draw the line at taxpayer-funded research that requires the destruction of human embryos, and millions of Americans feel similarly."

By Boehner's logic, however, had Obama done nothing and left George W. Bush's restrictions in place, he would still not "be president for all Americans." According to polls released by Gallup and Rasmussen, a majority of Americans favor lifting or easing restrictions on federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research.

Gallup's survey -- conducted Feb. 20-22, two weeks before Obama's executive order -- found that 52 percent wanted to see more funding, including 39 percent of Republicans and 64 percent of Democrats.

Rasmussen, in a survey conducted Sunday and Monday, found 52 percent agreeing with Obama's decision. In that poll (of which 45 percent of respondents said they were pro-life), 70 percent believed the research had the potential to cure a previously incurable disease, and just 29 percent said it was morally wrong.