Outfoxed

If you haven't yet seen the Michael J. Fox ad (part of a series) criticizing Michael Steele on stem-cell research, go check it out:



It's a good ad; I just wish he had mentioned Steele's opinion of stem-cell research.

Predictably, the right-wing pundits are shedding crocodile tears:

The advertisement for Cardin is similar to a spot he filmed for Senate candidate Claire McCaskill, a Missouri Democrat. That ad drew national attention yesterday when radio personality Rush Limbaugh opined that Fox was "either off his medication or acting."

"This is exploitative in way that's unbecoming either Claire McCaskill or Michael J. Fox," said Limbaugh, according to a transcript posted on his Web site.

And the Steele campaign too:

"To me, this is a shame that they're exploiting someone like Michael J. Fox for something that the scientists say is not going to do anything," said Douglas Stiegler, executive director of Maryland's Family Protection Lobby.

Steele campaign spokesman Doug Heye agreed, saying he considered the ad "in extremely poor taste."

As Atrios notes, it was no big deal when Fox did an ad in support of Arlen Specter in 2004. Apparently, controversy is only when Democrats do something with an emotional appeal.

My question is: Why don't Democrats, with all their supposed connections to Hollywood, do more of this kind of political advertising? Of course, it helps that Fox has a history of advocacy on the subject of stem-cell research; he's not some random B-lister flying in for a TV spot. Plus, given how much the Right loves to demonize Hollywood, it's probably best not to give them an unnecessary opening. Remember how badly the Guardian's letter-writing campaign to Ohio voters in '04 went.

UPDATE: I found Bruce's rejoinder to the Steele campaign to be appropriately indignant.

Tags: md-sen maryland ben cardin michael steele stem cell research election 2006 michael j fox