CBS/AP/ February 11, 2009, 5:50 PM

Fox Responds To Limbaugh Accusation

In this May 17, 2012 photo, youths walk together toward a soccer field in the Cite Soleil shantytown where a stadium may be built in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. A local sports hero, a New York real estate developer and a well-known architect are teaming up to build a soccer stadium here, hoping to revive the seaside shantytown. The organizers also hope the stadium, scheduled to break ground within six months and due to be built by the end of 2013, will bring an initial 500 jobs and inject commerce into the shanty city, where politicians to pay residents to fight their battles as proxy forces. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery) / Dieu Nalio Chery

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."

On Tuesday while in suburban Chicago campaigning for Democratic candidate for Congress Tammy Duckworth, Fox shot back.

"I'm kind of lucky right now. It's ironic, given some of the things that have been said in the last couple days, that my pills are working really well," Fox said.

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.

Duckworth added of Limbaugh's remarks: "That comment is trying to take away from the real issue at hand."

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."

Katie Couric interviews Michael J. Fox about the stem cell debate on Thursday's CBS Evening News.

Watch Claire McCaskill's ad featuring Michael J. Fox here.
Fox Responds To Limbaugh Claim.

"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.

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kencanuck says:: Okay, RL is a blowhard and a dirtbag to be making such comments. However, these comments distract from the real argument.

Whether or not MJF went off his meds doesn't really matter, does it. I mean, just because you can or can't see that he's dying of Parkinson's doesn't change the fact that HE IS STILL DYING OF PARKINSON'S! His brain cells are still dying and he is still losing motor control as a result. Just because he has medication that somewhat alleviate his symptoms (in the short term) doesn't change this fact. Even if he did purposely go off his medication (something he's apparently admitted to doing in the past), why should it matter? By doing so, all he would have been doing is to NOT cover up his disease and NOT allow people to ignore that it exists. He's damned if he does and he's damned if he doesn't.

As far as RL goes. his ignorance is blinding. I dare him to make similar comments to people with cancer, liver disease or spinal/brain injuries. Can't you just hear him say, "Oh look, they could have physically propped up Christopher Reeve in his ads calling for stem cell research so that he doesn't look so pathetic in his wheelchair. He's all, 'look at me, I can't walk', exploiting his injuries for his cause."; reply

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LorieT says:: Rush, you are so far disconnected, i find it extremely humorous that a network chooses to invest in you. You write your speeches from a position of arrogance, and even on your best day - I doubt you ever take a few moments to think about how radical your words are. It's easy for someone to talk smack...it's harder for someone to have done their homework and presented the findings as a scholar with integrity. I'm afraid you chose the easy street. But no worries, you've got it all figured out right?

As each day passes...the Dow drops, the stocks drop, the real estate bottoms out - and guess what? The only ones that are affected to the extremes - are people like you! You embellish your wealth and prosperity - and repeat cliches while watching millions of others lose their homes and families. The rest of the people have already lost everything.

I wonder what life looks like for you, Rush. Hail to the rich; damn the poor. They're a bunch of losers anyway, right? Wow. I'm impressed. What a legacy for Rush. Bet you're real proud of that one. Isn't it amazing what we choose to leave behind? The story that our integrity writes for us when we're not looking?

One of my students once told me her Republican father said to her, "we may own a landscaping business, but always remember - we still need people to dig those ditches."

By listening to you Rush - you still don't get it. You stand up on a pedestal and defend a fantasy! A freedom that you are convinced was built by the wisdom of Republicans. Wow - amazing! But may I ask? Who dug the ditches? Are they less important? Do they deserve less than your respect?

Finally - I'd love to see the shoe on the other foot - I doubt you'd know how to even tie the strings. Rush, i think you are wrong. And - my constitution says I can tell you so. I think you better revisit this one. i think your more scared than you let on.; reply

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cacee13601 says:: omg i cant even beleive this. i watched that commerical and i think he looks everything but under medicated my heart goes out to mr fox and his family for having to deal with bull like this i never liked rush and i knew there was a reason...; reply

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coffeebrk4me says:: Scotcree, you make valid arguments and though I do not agree with Limbo, what he did was way out of line. Parkinsons is a frightening disease, as is a host of many others. I believe the argument is stem cell research, whether or not this bill is about harvesting embryos and the implications of cloning or the potential to; it has already been done. This administration wants to take away a womans right to abort a pregnancy. There lies the argument; a majority of the scientific community understands the value of stem cell research and in the heat of a reelection seeks a candidate to represent them as do many who suffer from the incurable diseases that are not in the position of a notable Mr. Fox. Or do I have this all wrong and I'm living on Jupiter. It is politics people.; reply

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scotcree says:: coffeebrk4me, you're right, it's about wrung out. However, I don't want to try to eat a meal while someone is shaking my hand - I don't want Parkinsons. That has nothing to do with anything I've been saying. And that bill, to get back to the original point, won't help Fox and won't help people with Parkinson's. That's not what it's for. And that's the important point. And I'm not giving up on it.

I think Fox is a nice guy, too, by the way. But that also isn't the point. And my sympathy won't help him one *** bit. And I doubt he wants it.

You're right, though, that the real research will get done without the government. And my prediction, based on the science that's currently successful, is that embryos will not be necessary.

And, yeah, I'll continue to support Limbaugh. When he's not being a jackass, which is most of the time, he's right.; reply

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hopeforworld says:: What's worse than am overweight, unattractive, pill popping loudmouth? Rush Limbaugh. His comment about Michael J. Fox was completely unsubstantiated and way below the belt, as was his charade of PD symtoms. How can Rush stand looking at himself each day?; reply

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DJN says:: Elsewhere on the CBS news website, WebMD has posted an article describing his motor symptoms as typical of severe Parkinson's disease. How many cases of Parkinson's disease has Rush Limbaugh diagnosed? Can he name the common symptoms of Parkinson's disease? Does he know who James Parkinson (discoverer of the disease) was? Whether or not Mr. Fox exaggerated his symptoms is not the issue. Mr. Limbaugh's behavior is. What qualifies him to do differential diagnosis of neurological disease?; reply

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bttf4444 says:: Dear Michael,

My heart really goes out for you. Just keep your faith. I hope that one day a cure for PD can be found. I really enjoy watching you in the Back to the Future Trilogy. I feel so bad that Rush Limbaugh and some of the others feel the need to take shots at you. You are such a sweet man, and you do exude peace and harmony. You definitely have my support.

Hugs! :); reply

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coffeebrk4me says:: I think this dicussion has tired out. The research is going to happen even if the politions underfund it. Give me a break. I have first hand knowledge of Parkinsons. The symptoms often manifest during periods of anxiety. He has every right to get help for this disease. I think Scotcree should try eating a meal while someone is shaking the hell out of his hand. Support that blubber paid pain pill addicted Limbo all you want. He needs a new delivery. I don't relish the thought of the government "oversighting" this research when the lobbyist is still the real government at the moment.; reply

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scotcree says:: Rightwinglib, glad you're just looking for support, and not sympathy. From what I understand, Fox is the same way. He is, however, stumping for politicians. He is in the political arena. He's not going to get support from people who disagree with his views.

I disagree with Fox's views. I support Limbaugh - usually even when he's a jackass, because he makes good points even then. I'm not horrible.

Limbaugh supports stem cell research, and most other science, from what I understand. But he doesn't support embryonic stem cell research. And, right now, it isn't the best research going.

If you think Limbaugh was ignorant and hypocritical, you should keep you're eyes open for people who aren't ignorant at all, but are incredibly hypocritical, and who are more than happy to get your facts wrong for you.; reply