Oct 24, 2006 4:24 pm US/Eastern
Actor Michael J. Fox Supports Ben Cardin In New Ad
Baltimore, Md (WJZ) ―
A new ad shows Michael J. Fox endorsing Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Ben Cardin.
The spot is the latest in a series of ads by the actor in support of senate candidates who support stem cell research, which many say hold the promise for curing many diseases and conditions.
The actor, visibly affected by his battle with Parkinson's disease, criticizes the stance of Republican candidate Michael Steele, who does not the type of support stem cell research that that requires destroying an embryo.
WJZ's Alex DeMetrick spoke to Parkinson's patient John Kellerman, who has been living with the disease for 15 years. "I think Michael J. Fox is a good spokesman for the issue and certainly for Parkinson's patients."
Fox agreed to film the Maryland spot after an associate met with Cardin's wife, Myrna, at a Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee event in Maryland last month, Cardin spokesman Oren Shur told The (Baltimore) Sun.
The effects of Parkinson's disease on Fox are grimly apparent in the commercial, which shows the actor seated in a dimly lit hotel room, speaking directly into the camera. "Stem cell research offers hope to millions of Americans with diseases like diabetes, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's," says Fox. "But George Bush and Michael Steele would put limits on the most promising stem cell research."
Fox has also recorded spots for Missouri Democratic Senate candidate Claire McCaskill, who is running against Republican James M. Talent, and for Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat seeking re-election. The actor is also planning to appear at events for two Democrats, Sen. Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois congressional candidate.
Fox, known for roles in the "Family Ties" and "Spin City" television series and the "Back to the Future" films, has long
supported research that could lead to a treatment.
Steele campaign spokesman Doug Heye said he considered the ad "in extremely poor taste."
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