Rush: Michael J. Fox's a Faker

In a series of new campaign ads, Michael J. Fox's body jerks and sways uncontrollably as he urges voters to support candidates who back stem cell research.

As Rush Limbaugh sees it, Fox, who has publicly battled Parkinson's disease since 1998, is clearly playing up his affliction for dramatic effect.

The actor's visible symptoms and poignant message in the 30-second spots apparently aroused the ire of the conservative radio host, leading him to speculate that Fox either "didn't take his medication, or he's acting."

"He is exaggerating the effects of the disease," Limbaugh told his listeners on Monday. "He's moving all around and shaking, and it's purely an act…This is really shameless of Michael J. Fox."

Limbaugh was responding specifically to Fox's ad for Missouri Democrat Claire McCaskill, who is running against Republican Senator James M. Talent. (The spot, available on YouTube.com, had already received 1.2 million views as of Wednesday morning.)

"What you do in Missouri matters to millions of Americans," Fox says in the spot as his torso writhes to a rhythm all its own. "Americans like me."

But according to Limbaugh, Americans like Fox are apparently liars, not to mention hypochondriacs.

"This is the only time I've ever seen Michael J. Fox portray any of the symptoms of the disease he has," Limbaugh said. "He can barely control himself."

However, numerous experts on the disease were quick to point out that Fox's movements were consistent with symptoms of advanced Parkinson's.  

"When you see someone with this type of movement, called dyskinesias, it's not because they have not taken medication, but because they probably have taken medication for some time," Dr. Michael Okun, national medical director for the National Parkinson Foundation, said in a statement.  "If you don't take the medication, then you freeze."

Fox's spokesman, John Rogers, who also serves on the board of the Parkinson's Action Network, called Limbaugh's remarks "shameful."

"It's an appalling, sad statement," Rogers told USA Today. "Anybody who understands Parkinson's disease knows it's because of the medicine that one experiences" the tremors and movements Fox displayed in the ad.

Even Limbaugh's loyal Dittoheads felt the need to let their leader know he might have crossed the line, resulting in an on-air apology of sorts from the host.

"Now people are telling me they have seen Michael J. Fox in interviews and he does appear the same way in the interviews as he does in this commercial," Limbaugh said later in his show Monday, according to a transcript posted on his Website.

"All right then, I stand corrected…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."

Limbaugh then bigly, hugely refocused his attack.

"Michael J. Fox is allowing his illness to be exploited and in the process, is shilling for a Democratic politician," he said.

Fox has also filmed spots for Maryland Democratic Representative Benjamin L. Cardin and Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle.

At a political rally in Chicago Tuesday, he responded to Limbaugh's comments, telling reporters:

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

Opponents of stem cell research have put together a response ad featuring Patricia Heaton and Passion of the Christ star Jim Caviezel, among others, urging Missouri voters to vote against Amendment 2, which would provide constitutional protections for embryonic stem cell research in the state.

The ad, currently available online, is scheduled to be unveiled on television during the World Series Wednesday night.