Michael J. Fox Stumps for Jim Doyle

A lot has been said in recent days about Michael J. Fox's political ads for Missouri Dem Claire McCaskill. She supports EMBRYONIC stem cell research, so he supports her.

Some think that the ads are powerful and will convince people to vote for candidates backing INCREASES in federal spending for EMBRYONIC stem cell research.

Others question why Fox's symptoms appear to be more exaggerated in the ads than they are when he's acting.

Others are turned off by the "pity factor" that fuels the ads.

The debate is far from over.

In fact, it's intensifying. Fox's ad blitz is coming to Wisconsin.

MADISON -- Today, Governor Jim Doyle launched a new campaign ad featuring Michael J. Fox that highlights their shared support for lifesaving stem cell research.

Here's a newsflash:

I don't know anyone against stem cell research.

Do you?

Fox and Doyle fail to highlight that they are talking about EMBRYONIC stem cell research, the kind that demands the destruction of human life.

Also left out of the Doyle campaign's statement is that EMBRYONIC stem cell research has yet to save any lives.

“I'm honored to help out,” Michael J. Fox said. “I'm a one issue guy. Jim Doyle is a real champion of stem cell research, and this research could potentially lead to cures for diseases that affect you, your families, and your neighbors.”

In this new ad, Michael J. Fox, who lives with Parkinson’s disease, connects his own hope for a cure with Governor Doyle’s re-election campaign. In his words: "What you decide can affect millions of people. Like me. Like your family,” Fox said. "Wisconsin holds a special place in my heart, because it's where stem cell research was born. The cures we are looking for may come from here."

Again, the term "stem cell research" is recklessly thrown around.

There is a distinction between stem cell research and EMBRYONIC stem cell research. EMBRYONIC stem cell research requires the destruction of the EMBRYO.

Fox isn't stumping for stem cell research candidates; he's stumping for EMBRYONIC stem cell research candidates.

He rejects strong supporters of stem cell research like Mark Green, because Green supports research that does not destroy human life. That's not good enough for Fox.

As Wisconsin’s Governor, Doyle will continue to do his part for Wisconsin and the nation, by fighting for patients and families living with debilitating diseases and standing on the side of hope.

“Allowing our scientists to search for cures to the world’s deadliest diseases is not about being liberal or conservative,” Governor Doyle said. “It’s about being compassionate. And respect for human life means you don’t turn your back on cures that can save lives.”

Frankly, that makes me sick. It's a joke to hear Doyle talking about having respect for human life.

I wonder. Would Doyle have supported Nazi medical experiments on concentration camp captives?

Does he abide by any moral boundaries when it comes to medical research?

Is there anything that would make Doyle "turn [his] back on cures that can save lives"?

Perhaps using animals in research -- would that be off limits?


The fact is Fox and Doyle do the same thing. They play with the truth.

They purposely confuse the public by failing to mark the distinction between stem cell research and EMBRYONIC stem cell research.

Why?

Why are they afraid to be specific about the sort of research that they support?

I'm sick of them misrepresenting the position of candidates that wholeheartedly support stem cell research that respects life.

IT'S DISHONEST.