By Mona Raphael

Oct 25, 2006 2:46pm

Limbaugh Not Backing Down

ABC News’ Chris Marderosian reports: On his Wednesday radio program, Rush Limbaugh stood by his argument that certain people with "victim status" should not be allowed to "enter the fray with impunity."

"I stand by what I said," said Limbaugh. "I take back none of what I said . . . it is what I believe.  It is what I think."

Limbaugh came under criticism earlier this week when he accused actor Michael J. Fox of exaggerating the physical effects of his Parkinson’s disease in ads he made on behalf of Democratic candidates who back embryonic stem-cell research.

The bombastic radio host told listeners Monday that Fox’s lurching, palsied movements in a television ad for Claire McCaskill, the Democrat running against Republican Sen. Jim Talent in Missouri, were "an act."

Limbaugh noted that Fox has said he sometimes does not take his medication in order to illustrate Parkinson’s severe physical effects.

On his radio program today, Limbaugh accused the "driveby media" of "acting like a hysterical mother who is afraid her little boy won’t be able to defend himself after he picked the fight. So they are attacking me and others for being cold hearted, insensitive . . . cruel . . . "

In addition to the ad that he made for McCaskill, Fox has also made ads for Rep. Ben Cardin, the Democrat running for the Senate against Lt. Gov. Michael Steele in Maryland, and Gov. Jim Doyle, who is in a tough race for re-election against Rep. Mark Green in Wisconsin.

User Comments

Rush Limbaugh is one of the biggest agitators to aggravate and perpetuate the division of the American people to the ill of this country’s demise, as we continue to fight with each other here in America.

Posted by: Montie M. Pierson | October 25, 2006, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm

What a tool.

Posted by: hostiledm | October 25, 2006, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm

I DON’T LISTEN TO LIMBAUGH SO IT’S IMMATERIAL TO ME WHETHER HE RETRACTS HIS STORY OR NOT!

Posted by: MARIE | October 25, 2006, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm

Rush Limbaugh so crossed the line with his attack on Michael J. Fox. If one good thing has come out of this, it made me decide I am finally going to start speaking my mind and opinion and VOTING out bigots, and loud-mouthed obnoxious people like Limbaugh. Enough is enough – our society has become numb ro rude, insensitive people. I am on my way to volunteer and sign up now for Democratic candidates. Thanks, Rush, for finally driving another person to the Democratic side! Also, do you honestly think Michael J. Fox likes having Parkinson’s? Think of this man’s family and what he and they go through on a daily basis. For someone who is addicted to drugs you sure throw the slurs around. Take a good hard look at yourself before you start trashing people with diseases – you might be in their shoes one day and I don’t think you’d like someone accusing you of “acting”. Where is your compassion for people for god’s sake?

Posted by: jlatimer | October 25, 2006, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm

LIMBAUGH ALWAYS HAS AND PROBABLY ALWAYS BE A SORRY EXCUSE OF A SO CALLED TALENTED INDIVIDUAL.

Posted by: GREG VERBOUT | October 25, 2006, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm

rush limbaugh…who in the heck is taking this guy serious? he’s going for attention, folks and his distasteful and ignorant behavior is his main ticket to fame…he’s not relevant to intelligent discussions…change the channel already!

Posted by: bobbie | October 25, 2006, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm

Your an overstuffed horse’s behind. Hoping you suffer from this in the future.

Posted by: Ted | October 25, 2006, 5:41 pm 5:41 pm

I don’t get it. He went off his medication before doing the ad, so he was acting? Acting would be pretending you were sick when you were not. Rush has not mainatined that he doesn’t believe Fox has Parkinson’s. What’s Rush’s point?
Why should anyone have anything to say about what medication a person puts into his body?
Obviously Rush is upset because he thinks Democrats are going to gain in the upcoming election.
Thanks to Fox and to Ron Reagan for supporting stem cell research.

Posted by: jon wheatley | October 25, 2006, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm

My father suffers from Parkinsons disease. I have watched him go from strong tremors to uncontrollable movements even on his medication. I am now watching his body deteriorate and stiffen which will ultimately cause his death. Rush’s words and flailing about is an insult to people with this horrible condition and their families. I hope Rush never has to deal with illness. Pop a few more pills Rush, maybe they will expand your mind!

Posted by: Laura | October 25, 2006, 7:01 pm 7:01 pm

“So they are attacking me and others for being cold hearted, insensitive . . . cruel . . . ”
Gee Rush, if the shoe fits…
But then, what else would one expect of a conservative Republican? After all, its the party of intolerance, fear-mongering and hatred.
Where are the good Republicans like Nelson Rockefeller? The once proud party has been hijacked by the loud mouthed biggots like Limbaugh, Bill O’Rilley and Pat Robertson.
Don’t let them buy your vote with tax-cuts that have driven our national debt to sky-high levels that we will all have to pay.
http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/

Posted by: Randy | October 25, 2006, 7:05 pm 7:05 pm

At long last, have these conservatives no sense of decency. Are these the people we want to represent us? My God, I’ve had enough!

Posted by: scot | October 25, 2006, 7:16 pm 7:16 pm

Rush is a horses ass someone should fire this idot please take him hannity, O’reily, coulter all the right wing nut cases off the air they are causing all americans not to trust or like each get them off the air. liars liars!!!!!

Posted by: carole | October 25, 2006, 7:36 pm 7:36 pm

Rush forgets his ‘lock ‘em up and throw away the key attitude to those who do drugs’. By his standards he should be, what was it? Under the jail?
Hypocracy is disgusting and today he went even further showing himself as the underside of the toilet bowl that he is and always has been. He and Anne Coulter can practice their tidy bowl duties because if there ever was such bleeding-heart, irrational, nasty, vicious, dispicable, dishonest, repulsive, flagrant, flattulating filth such as the depths that this party has been reduced to, I think even Caligula (look that one up, you uneducated, science hating immoralists) may blush and say to them each and all: BRAVO!

Posted by: far_isle | October 25, 2006, 7:46 pm 7:46 pm

Rush should shut his HUGE piehole!

Posted by: Mary Ladd | October 25, 2006, 8:11 pm 8:11 pm

Rush is a type of television person who attracts attention with his perverse nature and his unusually obnoxious opinions. He attracts attention like dirty mouth kids would do in grammer school.If no one paid attention to him he would go away like a bad odor.

Posted by: john the profit | October 25, 2006, 8:22 pm 8:22 pm

Rush represents the worse type of radio personality and is not fit to be on the air. Most people with his drug history would have lost their jobs a long time ago.
My mother suffered from Parkinson Disease. Let me say it is a terrible thing to watch a loved up slowly lose eerything to this disease. It hurts to see some one like Rush make fun of some of people who suffer from this disease. Rush is too self centered to have any sensitivity. Thank God for Michael J. Fox, who has the courage to show people a small sample of what life as a Parlnson patient is like.
Michael J. Fox has shown great courage and has done a great deal to help Parkinson patients. He deserves our thanks.

Posted by: jjcjudy | October 25, 2006, 11:12 pm 11:12 pm

It is a damn shame Rush you did not take a few more oxycontin and do this country a favor and drop DEAD. There is no place in this world for cold heartless bastards like you. Why were you able to walk away from your drug dealing and anyone else would be pulling time. Typical Republican behavior break the laws, go to rehab, walk away scott free. Why you are still able to spew your venom is beyond me, and what puzzles me even more is the morons that listen to your idiotic crap. Hold on to your fat ass Rush, because election day is going to be your worst nightmare.

Posted by: Tim Page | October 25, 2006, 11:17 pm 11:17 pm

How come , no one is talking about the people that we put in charge in Iraq that stole Eight Hundred Million dollars that they were to use to buy equipment for the Iraqi Army.Our officials say it is an internal problem that must be solved by the Iraqi people—Crap –It was our money–and like the other moneys and corruption that has riddled every thing that we have done over there ,it will continue to suck up our money and nothing will be done.. Something else, who is paying for all of the hundreds of thousands of dollars that it is costing us tax-payers for Bush, Cheny and all of his cronies to fly all over the country raising money for Republican political races..He has been to Cincinnati several times–Cheny–Laura Bush all of them have been here. Why dont the Republican party pay for this –I do not see this as official U.S. business.Halliburton has been caught stealing several times and they keep getting those no-bid contracts–Cheny will come out of this a multi-millionaire. This war is costing us Billions of dollars a month and how much is being stolen????? And medicare and Vet.programs and other things to help our people are being cut..How much good could we do with that money???

Posted by: J. EDWARDS | October 26, 2006, 2:16 am 2:16 am

rush is right on. fox should put somewhere in the ads that he’s not taking his meds. that’s the truth and he should tell the WHOLE TRUTH. thanks rush for pointing that out.

Posted by: cheryl | October 26, 2006, 3:44 am 3:44 am

We conservatives are really terrible at explaining that it’s only EMBRYOTIC stem-cell research we object to. We fully support all other blood and tissue cell research and investigation. We just can’t feel comfortable about killing even one human embryo for research, when umbelical cords and many other types of blood and tissues are so readily available.

Posted by: alice smith | October 26, 2006, 9:26 am 9:26 am

When his time comes, Rush will be held accountable by a higher authority…one who won’t be very impressed by ratings! Of course, we have to cut Rush some slack, it must be hard kicking the prescription pill habit he had…probably a little bit edgy because of it.

Posted by: Dirik J. Lolkus | October 26, 2006, 9:28 am 9:28 am

Rsuh Limbaugh is a pig that wallows in the slime of the rovian gutter. He’s a loud-mouthed hypocrite and a sorry excuse for a human being.
Having said that, I want to thank Rush for further disgracing himself and the Republican Party of compassionate conservatives (when was the last time you heard that phrase used by any Republican?)and insuring that every TV Station in America will feature his shameless asininity.

Posted by: Tom Edwards | October 26, 2006, 10:07 am 10:07 am

I will speak up as a voice of reason and logic (as opposed to Bush-haters that are all that I see post here) and point out that Rush’s radio show and viewpoint are not as crazy as you want to believe given he would not still be around and still have the most listeners of any radio show in history. His audience is made up of mainstream middleclass males AND females who know do can step back and look at the motives and rationale of the liberals and the old-media in our country. Sure, he says things to urk the left, but that is part of his appeal in the same way the left got all excited when Bill Clinton had an unprovoked freakout. Anyway, if MJFox is going to try to influence elections – this is not about stem cells as there are other avenues if that is his goal – then he is going to take a knock or two on the way. The press and the left is actually making Ann Coulter’s point that they think you cannot ever criticize a spokesman who has suffered. Rush said that parkinsons is a terrible disease, but MJFox is expoiting it just to try to sway elections. Instead of simply pulling out the tired, old, name-calling, why don’t you sit back and analyze what people on the other side of the aisle are saying and give it a thought. It may not change your viewpoint, but understanding other peoples “extreme” views may not be that crazy at all – Rush is from the Midwest and represents the straightforward viewpoint of millions of people in the US. 25 Million listeners a day cannot ALL be wrong (I cannot wait for the Hitler comparison to come on this one…).

Posted by: Jay | October 26, 2006, 10:10 am 10:10 am

Jay,
I’m glad to see a conservative posting opinions…this is supposed to be a marketplace of ideas where everyone has a voice. It is no fun merely preaching to the choir, but to have a vigorous dialoge on the issues. That being said, everyone has their agendas…Mr. Fox to try to support the cure of a disease he has and Mr. Limbaugh to get press, increase ratings, and satisfy his base…a base which is large, but hopefully interested in allowing everyone (including Canadian actors) to enjoy the freedom to both disagree and to engage in the process. It is more of a level playing field than it has been and the liberal side is less willing to be Swiftboated than before. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander, right?

Posted by: Dirik Lolkus | October 26, 2006, 11:30 am 11:30 am

Dirik – thanks for the reply – I agree totally with you on your comments.

Posted by: Jay | October 26, 2006, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm

I was listening to Rush the first day this was discussed on the air. I had not heard MJ Fox until that night but I had been watching him on Boston Legal and so had Rush according to the radio show. To me Rush was pointing out that this was not the person he saw acting on Boston Legal and that he must be off his meds. Also that MJ Fox was lieing about the republican’s stance on stem cell research. It seems that a news agency like ABC would go after the story of the truth. I did hear an ABC news lady at about 5 am Tuesday say that MJ Fox’s book said he went off his meds to testify befored congress. When Fox stepped into politics and picked a sides the gloves came off.

Posted by: George Mara | October 26, 2006, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm

Asking MJ Fox to stay in the shadows of life is just as sensless as asking overweight people to stay in the shadows. I think that Rush is really upset that MJ Fox is a handsome man who happens to have Parkinsons. Too bad Rush, Republicans and Democrats alike have enjoyed MJ Fox as a bright star! We will not change just because his illness get progressively worse. His bright spirit and ability to think and reason remains the same! Rush could take a few pointers from MJ Fox and come out of the shadows thinking and reasoning instead of ranting his ignorance behind his microphone. Rush only shows that the real victim is the perpetrator of such allegations that he has made with limited information. Wise people always consider the source.
MORE POWER TO YOU MJ! Wise people will continue to applaud your choices.

Posted by: Linda | October 26, 2006, 2:33 pm 2:33 pm

Michael Fox has admitted in the past that he didn’t take his medicine when he was trying to garner sympathy from Washington. Who is to say that he isn’t doing the exact same thing? Isn’t it dishonest of the man to do this in the first place? Why shouldn’t people be skeptical at this? Put him in a lie detector and see if he did take his meds or not.
Mr. Fox should know that once he steps into the political spectrum that he would and should be open to criticism, especially when he backs a specific candidate over another.

Posted by: Sean P. Hogan | October 26, 2006, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm

MR. LIMBAUGH…ONE QUESTION
IS IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE OXYGEN SUPPLY WITH YOUR HEAD SO FAR UP YOUR RECTUM?

Posted by: STUART ROSS | October 26, 2006, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm

Rush and Ann Coulter are Right! It is a blessing to finally have a channel to turn to and hear someone speak the plain truth about the news and issues of today. You liberals discust me!!! Everytime a voice comes forward to speak an opinion in oposition to yours, that person is hateful and a biggot. You name call and you bash in order to silence the discenting voices of reason. You hate everything that is good and right with this country. You hate and defame all who speak truth and wisdom and you love evil and immorality. This wonderful country, once based biblical values and thankful to God Almighty, is going to self distruct because of YOU!!! Then you will finally have something truely legitamate to whine about. You make me sick and I hope you get squashed in the upcoming election. Way to go Ann; Way to go Rush; keep up the excellent work!!!!

Posted by: Dean | October 26, 2006, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm

Linda – I read your post twice looking for something you said that was based on reality or fact but there is nothing but your emotion about some gobbledy-gook. I will say it again: MJ Fox is trying to use his horrible disease to sway an election. Once he steps in the political ring in this way he becomes a target for those who disagree with him. Rush called him on it and the media is predictably acting in a knee-jerk response. I would wager that none of the Bush-haters who have posted on this topic have ever heard Rush’s show to hear the context of his statements. He is right-on on this one.

Posted by: Jay | October 26, 2006, 5:26 pm 5:26 pm

Okay, I will look at Rush’s words from the other side of the aisle as one person urged above.
And you know what, I think he is exactly right. Fox is using his position to influence the election. Well duh! Why shouldn’t he. He feels quite strongly that the do nothing republicans are more concerned for their own wallets and those that help them achieve power. If that means you have to sell yourself out to the Christian right to get some more money, so be it.
It’s all about buying power.
I’ll put it into a simple analogy that even you simpleton republicans (25 million) from the midwest can understand.
“The New York Yankees”

Posted by: Brian Bahnson | October 27, 2006, 8:33 am 8:33 am

rush l. should hold his peace about michael fox’s medical condition.his condition is not self inflicted. rush l’s crimminal drug addiction, and his under the table drug buys are. he is one of the eilite republicans that get a free pass to criminal behaviour and when caught breaking the law they are handed a get out of jail free card.thank God Michael is not like rush,who is a drug addict who was saved by the republician judicial system. rush is applauded by the brothers of the lodge when he trys to desecrate a fine young man like michael fox.just maybe rush needs to change his drugs of choice. would that make rush a better human being, only God knows

Posted by: REV. SIMS | October 27, 2006, 9:43 am 9:43 am

Fat, hypocritical, ignorant buffoon do not even begin to describe Mr. Limbaugh. As a Parkinson victim for going on ten years, his claim that Mr. Fox turned his shaking on and off at will is laughable. I applaud Mr. Fox for his efforts at trying to increase research efforts to seek a cure. Had I his name recognition and influence, I would do likewise. For the last two years I have been trying to justify in my mind why I should continue to support the republican party. The quagmire in Iraq and government indifference to human rights have pushed me to the edge. Mr. Limbaugh has made up my mind.

Posted by: Carl | October 27, 2006, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm

Of course, there’s no comment on Michael J. Fox’s support of Arlen Spector’s earlier election effort for the same reason he’s doing ads for McCaskill.
Anyone defending Limbaugh for his remarks is pathetic.

Posted by: Chris | October 27, 2006, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm

1. The above article we’re all supposed to commenting on does not even address the validity of Limbaugh’s assertions regarding the supposed lies of Mr. Fox/Claire McCaskill in the ad. The author did not even attempt to ascertain whether Mr. Fox’s claims are true about the Constitutional Amendment in Missouri. Lazy journalism. Get off your butts and check it out.
2. I think Mr. Fox started this whole mess by choosing how he would be portrayed in these Democrat Political ads. He says he took too much medication. Apparently, he chose to do the ad when his body was in its most actively spastic mode, just for the shock factor, as he explains he’s done before in his book. Mr. Fox has every right to be a Shock Jock and use his illness to every full advantage. No one is saying he cannot be a very vocal advocate for his cause.
3. Don’t we all have the responsibility as citizens to examine the details behind a candidate’s political ads? This is an Amendment to the State Constitution of Missouri which cannot be challenged by a court. Whether you’re for or against what it says, you’d better be sure about it. You’ll be stuck with it for a long time – you can’t just get rid of it. Better consider the longer-term effects and ramifications of what would be enacted. As citizens you have a duty to get off your butts and check it out.
It is cruel to lie to sick people.

Posted by: Valisa Wheeler | October 27, 2006, 3:16 pm 3:16 pm

Did MJ Fox’s Spector ads lie about anything? Did he take his meds or not when taping the ads? How did he portray himself? I never heard any complaints about those ads, probably because they were straight up ads with no bull that Arlen Specter would allow.
I personally applaud MJ Fox’s efforts to gain attention to his cause. My grandfather has Parkinson’s. I want a cure for that and spinal cord problems too, as my mother is a paraplegic. But, I don’t subscribe to killing embryos of human beings to find cures. The research on stem cells from embryos hasn’t shown ANY progress. However, ADULT stem cells have produced treatments for at least 72 diseases including Parkinsons. So, we ought to put money into adult stem cell research, if anywhere.
I hope you all are aware that there is private sector research going on NOW. This debate only addresses Federal funding for such research. Some of us taxpayers out here in the rest of the country do not wish our taxes to be used to kill human lives.
Y’all need to quit calling people evil names and stick to the issues, or is that all you got?

Posted by: Valisa Wheeler | October 27, 2006, 3:30 pm 3:30 pm

Anyone defending McCaskill for lying to sick people is equally pathetic.

Posted by: Valisa Wheeler | October 27, 2006, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm

Hmmm. Think about who Rush is “for.” Now why haven’t they tried to distance themselves from him?
I keep coming back to the fact that the ones who are supporting our stalwart enforcers of “morality” are grossly immoral themselves.
The Republicans seem to be the ones trying to make war veterans who disagree with the Administration look like traitors. They play the race card. They try to restrict the right to vote, either through intimidation or through disguised poll taxes.
One would think that if they really were moral, they would let their goodness speak for itself and propel them to victory without all the lies and deceit.
The Democrats are no angels. But, as a Christian first and Republican second I find myself forced to vote Democratic.
The Bush years will go down in History as the New Age of Corruption.

Posted by: Raymond Griffith | October 27, 2006, 7:53 pm 7:53 pm

If I saw Limbaugh walking down the street I would punch him in the mouth. What a tool.
Go Michael J. Fox!!! Be as stem-cell as you wanna be!

Posted by: lee | October 27, 2006, 9:28 pm 9:28 pm

Rush Limbaugh is a Idiot, what else is new .

Posted by: Bert | October 31, 2006, 11:32 pm 11:32 pm

Limbaugh thinks he is the expert on all drugs apparently. Maybe he is…

Posted by: Vickie | November 1, 2006, 12:10 am 12:10 am

What I have seen in the posts above that are against Rush are emotional blusters and the posts in favor seem reasonable and thought out. I think that I can tell a lot about a person by the way they write. Oh, and I can tell a lot about a political party by the members and how they write. I will vote with the reasonable and thoughtful members.

Posted by: Adam Morse | November 1, 2006, 10:00 am 10:00 am

Rush is right. The far left is constantly trotting out “victims” as their spokepeople in an attempt to make them immune from criticism, just like with the NJ Housewives. I say, if they can’t take the heat, get the hell out of the kitchen.

Posted by: Johnsom | November 1, 2006, 10:34 am 10:34 am

I believe that if you look into the effects of Parkinson’s, being off your medication actually makes you IMMBOBILE, it’s the medication that makes the jerking movements happen. As far as the idea that Fox made himself “fair game”, of course he did. The question is, what do you think “fair game” means? Does it mean everyone has the right to disagree with his position, to say they think he is wrong? I think everyone agrees on that. Does it mean that people have the right to accuse him of being a liar, a cheat and a fraud? Accuse him of pandering, of being used? Basically accuse him of being a scumbag? I would say no, others apparently think yes.

Posted by: Phil Vogels | November 2, 2006, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm

Free xxx.

Free xxx.

Posted by: Free xxx. | January 21, 2009, 6:24 pm 6:24 pm

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