Fox lends star power to Specter campaign

    The veteran lawmaker, who has battled cancer, is pulling a well-known actor into his primary battle.

    A year ago today Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter shocked the nation when he announced he would switch his party affiliation from Republican to Democrat.  Now, the veteran lawmaker, who has battled cancer, is pulling a well-known actor into his primary battle.

    Michael J. Fox’s ad for Senator Arlen Specter is far from his energetic portrayal of young Alex P. Keaton.  Fox suffers from Parkinson’s, and in the ad, his head bobs back and forth while he throws his support behind Specter — who has pushed to significantly increase funding for the National Institutes of Health.

    “He’s won the battles to double money for biomedical research, to find cures, and to save lives.  The next discovery’s right around the corner that’s why we need him back in the Senate….”

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    Political and advertising consultant Eliot Curson says using Fox is a good strategy.

    “Here’s a guy who obviously has a disease, obviously is very grateful to Specter for fighting for that and it’s a very effective commercial.  It’s probably the most effective commercial he’s done this year.”

    A recent survey of about 500 registered Democrats has Specter ahead of Sestak by 17 points.

    Watch the ad:

    [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcafPs7EJ_c[/youtube]

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal