Michael J. Fox Touts McCaskill For Senate

His body visibly wracked by tremors, actor Michael J. Fox speaks out for Missouri Democratic Senate candidate Claire McCaskill in a television ad that promotes her support for embryonic stem-cell research.

"As you might know I care deeply about stem-cell research," says the 45-year-old actor, 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 the state, 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.

"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 $1 million 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 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, which holds promise in the search to cure diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Fox hosted a $500-a-plate event fundraiser in St. Louis last month that raised $200,000 for McCaskill's campaign.

[boroka-2009]

I favor stem-cell research, although its promise is not at all iron-clad. Such research is going on right now, supported by billions of dollars, from the best sources for such projects: Private sources. Since -- in his own writings -- Mr Fox describes his practice of taking or not-taking the meds as a useful "tool" in making a political point, why is there a problem with pointing this out?

[bttf4444]

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! :)

[katybug80]

Rush Limpbag needs to grow up! Michael J. Fox is the sweetest man I have ever come to know. I've loved him ever since Family Ties. Now the fact that I have NEVER liked Rush, has nothing to do with it. But his actions and comments are childish and I wouldn't be surprised if he lost a lot of listeners! Love you MJF

[ezeddie43]

Rush has 10 million listeners, there are 300 million in this country. He is getting alot of attention for a stupid remark. Rush's hatred for the Democrats and their supporters is what got him into this trouble. Hate blinds the mind.

[ezeddie43]

Rush has 10 million listeners, there are 300 million in this country. He is getting alot of attention for a stupid remark. Rush's hatred for the Democrats and their supporters is what got him into this trouble. Hate blinds the mind.

The amendment specifically makes even ATTEMPTING cloning illegal (with stiff penalties) and prohibits getting paid to donate your reproductive stuff to research. Stored away in laboratory fridges all over our great country are fertilized eggs. When infertility couples have their eggs harvested, they don't get just one. The eggs are then fertilized and observed for a few days. It's not uncommon to produce 10 little blastocysts per IVF cycle. How many of the eggs are used? A few. What happens to the ones that are not used? Most are destroyed. The parents don't want the leftovers after a successful pregnancy, and the clinic runs out of space - so they're destroyed. What would researchers do with them? Well, the blastocysts could then be used to grow the cells that might cure diabetes, or - essentially to grow a healthy replacement for any diseased organ. Cloning should be forbidden. There shouldn't be a financial incentive to donating eggs. But blastocysts that would BE DESTROYED ANYWAY should be allowed to cure disease.

[ronniehm]

"BTW, deeann40, you're not supporting stem cell research because Michael J. Fox's staff once told you he was too busy to sign a book?"

Deeann did not say that, unless you replace "Michael J Fox" with "stem cell research." It was very unfair of you to do that to her.

No idea what you were trying to say with the bible thing. It seems like maybe you're a non-christian trying to tell christians what the bible should mean to them. I don't know. As an atheist, I'm guess I'm not really sure where you were going with that. Maybe you believe the only people who disagree with you are christians. You may not be right about that. Personally, I think they should take out the part of the bill that allows cloning because it contradicts the part of the bill that bans cloning. I'd vote for it then.

[pakaal]

Can someone tell me where in the Bible it says a fertilized egg is a human being? I know, it's a trick question - it isn't in there. Christian zealots want to convince everyone that life begins at "conception". The fact is the Bible itself doesn't even suggest this, let alone say it. Not that this has much to do with stem cell research, since research doesn't use viable fetus tissue anyway.

BTW, deeann40, you're not supporting stem cell research because Michael J. Fox's staff once told you he was too busy to sign a book? That's taking a personal grudge pretty far, don't you think?

[deeann40]

I WAS a big supporter for MJF in the beginning. But he disapointed me when all I ask for was him to sign my book I bought of his life. His people told me he was to busy. How much time does it take to write your name? This was before his problem was as bad as it is now. My prayers go out to him and his family but I will not take much of what he has to say to heart.

[ronniehm]

Any particular reason why so much effort is going into this issue in this race? I mean, I know most people have an opinion on it, but do they actually vote for Senators based on this stuff? It's like saying who should be a Representative in Kansas because of what some Representative in Florida did. Who on earth votes that way?