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Michael J Fox ad for Claire here.
Limbaugh: Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease
Conservative Talk Show Host Says He'll Apologize If Fox Wasn't 'Acting' In Political Ad
WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2006
Quote
"All I'm saying is I've never seen him the way he appears in this commercial for Claire McCaskill."
Rush Limbaugh
A victim of Parkinson's disease, Fox speaks out in the ad for Missouri Democratic Senate candidate Claire McCaskill, who supports embryonic stem cell research.
"I think this is exploitative in a way that's unbecoming of either Claire McCaskill or Michael J. Fox," Limbaugh said on his syndicated show.
On his Web site Tuesday, Limbaugh appeared to back away from his accusation.
"All I'm saying is I've never seen him the way he appears in this commercial for Claire McCaskill," says Limbaugh. "So I will bigly, hugely admit that I was wrong, and I will apologize to Michael J. Fox, if I am wrong in characterizing his behavior on this commercial as an act, especially since people are telling me they have seen him this way on other interviews and in other television appearances."
"As you might know I care deeply about stem cell research," says Fox, who has struggled with Parkinson's disease for more than a decade. "In Missouri you can elect Claire McCaskill, who shares my hope for cures."
McCaskill has made support for the research a key part of her campaign to unseat Sen. Jim Talent. The Republican incumbent opposes the research as unethical, saying it destroys human embryos.
The new ad debuted prominently Saturday night during Game 1 of the World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Detroit Tigers and will continue airing statewide this week, a campaign spokeswoman said.
Debate over stem cell research looms large in Missouri, where voters are considering a ballot measure that would amend the state constitution to protect all federally allowed forms of the research, including embryonic stem cell research. The scientific study holds promise in the search to cure diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
"Unfortunately, Senator Jim Talent opposes expanding stem cell research," Fox says in the 30-second spot. "Senator Talent even wanted to criminalize the science that gives us a chance for hope."
Talent's campaign called the ad a false attack.
"Senator Talent supports medical research including stem cell research that doesn't involve cloning or destroying a human embryo," said Talent spokesman Rich Chrismer.
Earlier this year, Talent withdrew his support for a Senate bill that would ban all embryonic stem cell research and impose a million-dollar fine and jail sentence on violators. But he opposes the Missouri ballot initiative, claiming it would "make cloning human life at the earliest stage a constitutional right."
Supporters of the state referendum deny that assertion, noting the language of the proposed constitutional amendment explicitly bans human cloning.
McCaskill, running even with Talent in the latest polls, hopes to get a boost from aligning herself with support for the ballot measure, which recent polls show has the support of 58 percent of likely voters. Backers of the measure have raised nearly $29 million toward its passage, the costliest political campaign in Missouri history.
Fox's ad urges voters that "what you do in Missouri matters to millions of Americans. Americans like me." The ad ends with a picture of McCaskill and her voice approving the message.
A native of Canada, Fox became an American citizen in 2000 and has been politically active for Democratic causes. He campaigned for John Kerry in the 2004 presidential race and lobbied Congress to lift President Bush's restrictions on funding for stem cell research.
?MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc.
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This is typical of this man. I thought one day this man would realize that his attitude towards all who aren't "on loan from God" would change. Maybe he would realize that the world does not revolve around him but I was in error.
Rush, you continue to outdo yourself. Are you sure you didn't have a father named Adolph and a mother named Eva? No one truly knows do they? If not, it is easy to say, they would have loved you as one of thier own.
Posted by MGIHOME at 05:58 PM : Oct 24, 2006
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From what I can gather from an internet search (I used Dogpile) stem cell research is approved in Missouri. Amendment 2 has to do with cloning. Now, I'm a nurse who has worked with many Parkinson's patients and I understand Fox not taking his meds for maximun affect. I do question the real heart of this. I also understand that his foundation has alloted over $1million for research involving a virus that can help with the symptoms.
I don't think this matter is cut and dried, Maybe someone else can do some research on the internet to find out. That would be those who aren't so anti-right and would have a level head about them. You all do realize that the left can be as misleading and devious as the right? OK, maybe not.
Posted by janem4 at 05:55 PM : Oct 24, 2006
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from starpulse.com
In 1998, Fox confirmed he had been fighting Parkinson's disease for seven years and underwent brain surgery to lessen the tremors caused by the illness. His charity, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, is currently the largest funder of Parkinson's research outside the federal government.
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Actor stumps for research, McCaskill
By Jo Mannies
ST LOUIS POST-DISPATCH POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
....Fox noted that McCaskill's Republican opponent, Sen. Jim Talent, had opposed federal legislation to broaden the stem cell lines available for research. Talent upheld President George W. Bush's veto of that measure and also opposes Amendment 2.
Talent spokesman Rich Chrismer replied that Talent opposes Amendment 2 "because it would create an unqualified constitutional right to clone."
Said Chrismer: "Sen. Talent has supported more than $2.2 billion for stem cell research and he strongly supports the stem cell alternatives that have the potential to provide us with the stem cells we want to relieve human suffering without cloning."
Fox said he respects those who oppose the research for religious reasons, but added, "I don't respect the manipulation of them" by those who use the word "cloning." Fox also objects to opponents' claims that women's eggs would be harvested.
Fox noted that Amendment 2 would include bans on cloning and egg harvesting.
Jaci Winship, executive director for Missourians Against Human Cloning, challenged Fox's views and contended that he was among the supporters of embryonic stem cell research who "have been sold the bill of goods of false hope."
When asked to reply, Fox flashed his famous grin and said: "You can't quantify hope. And I'll come down on the side of hope every time."
