How did the tragic story of Terri become political football

I wonder as I sit here, how the tragic story of Terri Schivo becomes a media and political football game. It isn't, it seems to me, a republican / democratic issue.

Then I read the Washington Post, the story quotes a Republican Memo on the talking points to be used.

An unsigned one-page memo, distributed to Republican senators, said the debate over Schiavo would appeal to the party's base, or core, supporters. The memo singled out Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), who is up for reelection next year and is potentially vulnerable in a state President Bush won last year.

"This is an important moral issue and the pro-life base will be excited that the Senate is debating this important issue," said the memo, which was reported by ABC News and later given to The Washington Post. "This is a great political issue, because Senator Nelson of Florida has already refused to become a cosponsor and this is a tough issue for Democrats."

Jesus wept.