Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

Talk Show Host Rips Stricken Actor for Campaign Ad

CBS News, AP contributed to this report
(Oct. 24) - His body visibly wracked by tremors, actor Michael J. Fox appears in a political ad that was the subject of widespread discussion on Monday after conservative radio commentator Rush Limbaugh claimed Fox was "either off his medication or acting."

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."


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.

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Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

DH told me about this yesterday. He's really a piece of crap. I honestly can't understand how one person can be so evil.

ETA: God forbid DH's disease comes back (once he's healthy )...stem cell transplants (and/or bone marrow) are our only hope.

Message edited 10/25/2006 4:55:53 PM.

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

Hey Rush, go back to rehab

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

I had to vote in the poll (do you think MJF is acting) - I can't believe that 22% of those voting thought that he was acting.
Rush disgusts me.

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

Just one more reason to hate this scumbag He's out of his damn mind.

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

Rush is an a$$hole. MJF was showing what it was like to have Parkinsons. He wasn't exploiting anything by showing the real side of it.

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

I saw this this morning and seriously HE IS a piece of sh!t! How can he say that!


I am ALL FOR Stem cell research!

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

Posted by Eva Luna

ETA: God forbid DH's disease comes back (once he's healthy )...stem cell transplants (and/or bone marrow) are our only hope.

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

He's an A$$.

He's since apologized, but it doesn't change the fact that he's an A$$.

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

wait till he needs stem cells-

this issue hits very close to home for me- my Mom could have benefited from someone elses stem cells- and would most likely still be alive today if she could of gotten them

she had a transplant of her own radiated stem cells- but they were flawed to begin with so it did not work

and so say this about Micheal J Fox- give me a break!

pop another pill- since the laws don't seem to apply to you!

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

Posted by Colleen9304

Just one more reason to hate this scumbag He's out of his damn mind.

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

Rush should be ashamed of himself. Who in their right mind would act to appear ill? Sometimes symptoms are apparent, sometimes they are not. I'm disgusted.

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

the fact that there are other people that think just like him is FRIGHTENING.

really, there are no words to describe him.

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

he is a pig!!!! DH's mother died of a disease that Stem cells can cure...and DH might have it...so its very upsetting for me to hear of this! Stem Cells has so much promise not only for disease but for those who are paralyzed..Did Christopher Reeves expliot it b/c he was wanted to walk again?
Rush=Trash!

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

He's another idiot

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

He is an AZZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

I read this in newsday today

he is a jerkoff

how dare anyone make light of someones serious medical issues

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

I think that is sick that he even said that. I give Michael J Fox so much credit for doing what he is doing and having people see the debilitating effects of parkinsons.

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

If he's never seen Michael J FOx lik that before, he's been living under a rock (And he should crawl back under it) and if he doesn't know that MJF hasn't acted much in years and Parkinson's is a progressive disease, he's just an idiot. I guess he wasn't following the news when MJF did go off of his medication to let members of congress see first hand the effects of the debilitating disease. Aside from the fact that I have been in love with him since I was 4 , I have to give Fox credit for the bravery he's shown in dealing with his disease and using his name and notoriety to help others.

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

Message edited 10/26/2006 10:30:51 AM.

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

he was probably high on his "prescription" medication he is usually abusing....idiot!

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

Posted by JenniferEver

I guess he wasn't following the news when MJF did go off of his medication to let members of congress see first hand the effects of the debilitating disease. Aside from the fact that I have been in love with him since I was 4 , I have to give Fox credit for the bravery he's shown in dealing with his disease and using his name and notoriety to help others.

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

Posted by Snozberry

I had to vote in the poll (do you think MJF is acting) - I can't believe that 22% of those voting thought that he was acting.
Rush disgusts me.

Re: Rush Limbaugh Says Michael J. Fox Exploited Disease

Posted by Snozberry

Posted by Eva Luna

ETA: God forbid DH's disease comes back (once he's healthy )...stem cell transplants (and/or bone marrow) are our only hope.