Political Crutches

Tammy Duckworth and Michael J. Fox are just the latest Democrats who attempt to sway voters through the shameless exploitation of their physical disabilities. The neophyte Duckworth, who opposes experienced Republican legislator Peter Roskam in Illinois' 6th congressional district, lost both of her legs in Iraq. Now during campaign appearances Duckworth shows off her prostheses in a transparent bid to get the sympathy vote–and to cover up her clear ignorance on the issues.

Fox, meanwhile, is making commercials and personal appearances highlighting his Parkinson's for Democratic candidates who support morally and scientifically suspect embryonic stem cell research. Fox, like all advocates of ESC research, refuses to acknowledge that no one opposes stem cell research, just the kind that destroys nascent human life.

These folks have every right to run for office and say what they want. It's a free country. But being persons with disabilities does not grant them superior moral status or insight–and should not get them even one extra vote. Period.