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Obama Hits Radio Airwaves with Abortion Ad

September 02, 2008 10:44 PM

Last Thursday, before Sen. John McCain's vice presidential pick had been named publicly -- when it was still unclear to all but a few individuals whether McCain would pick a running mate who supported abortion rights -- the campaign of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, sent radio stations in battleground states a radio ad that points out McCain's opposition to abortion.

"As a nurse practitioner with Planned Parenthood," says a woman's voice, "I know abortion is one of most difficult decisions a woman will ever make. I'm Val Baron. Let me tell you - if Roe v Wade is overturned, the lives and health of women will be put at risk. That's why this election is so important. John McCain's out of touch with women today. McCain wants to take away our right to choose. That's what women need to understand. That's how high the stakes are."

"As president, John McCain will make abortion illegal," says an announcer. "McCain says quote, 'I do not support Roe v. Wade. It should be overturned.' And listen to McCain's answer on Meet the Press."

"A constitutional amendment to ban all abortions," says the late great Tim Russert. "You're for that?"

"Yes, sir," says McCain.

"We can't let John McCain take away our right to choose," says Baron. "We can't let him take us back."

The Obama campaign would not comment on the ad buy, but presumably it is aimed at radio stations that skew towards women and younger voters.

UPDATE: RNC spox Danny Diaz emails to say: "Barack Obama voted against a bill that would have protected infants born alive having survived an abortion attempt.  He has offered misleading statements on the issue and is now trying to confuse voters by attacking Senator McCain.  Obama’s dishonesty and radical position on this issue is further proof that his rhetoric in no way matches his record."

- jpt

September 2, 2008 in 2008: Democrats, 2008: Republicans, John McCain, McCain, John, Obama, Barack | Permalink | Share | User Comments (110)

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"If Oboma:
Is willing to kill babies, what about us elderly, in homes, that our life doesnt count for anything, He scares me:
(The Culture of Death)"

I can just see it now. The Dems program to save social security without raising taxes or cutting benefits.

Posted by: Dave in lv | Sep 3, 2008 3:15:32 PM

My daughter was born in the 7th month of pregnancy. She's quite healthy, thank God. According to Obama she should have been aborted because I didn't carry her to term. What? The baby is ensouled at conception & has a right to life from then on, until natural death.

Posted by: Irene McDevitt | Sep 3, 2008 3:10:34 PM

McCain would overturn the nationwide right to abortion AND let the individual states decide. So each state can then make their own rules for what they want to do, just like gay marriage, etc. So for those of you who must have an abortion, because the morning after pill and birth control have failed, than you could simply move or travel to a state that is in touch with your core values to abort your child. In the past, Hawaii, NY, Alaska & Wash, DC were some early adopters of on-demand abortion rights, among others. I think McCain has the correct position, because many do not want continued US government funding to go to support abortion procedures when they feel in their hearts it is akin to murder, which is the situation that we have today.

Posted by: Joe | Sep 3, 2008 2:04:28 PM

Sharonklim..But no gender bias issue was made by Barack Obama..I condone reverse gender bias. ..huh? were you around the past few months/days? He has belittled her achievements by comparing her days as 'mayor' with his campaign manager running his campaign, yet he misleads the public because she also has considerable achievements as Governor. His supporters attack her family although Palin did not bring them into the public eye, as he did to his children. Even the UK BBC press has stated that Palin is equally qualified as Obama to be president, and more so qualified than he is. The DNC nominee and his DNC supporters continue to play the sexism cards. He called Hillary a whiner when she pointed out that the media coverage was 4 to 1 in his favor, supporters called her derogatory female names, and then when DNC nominee mentioned her name during his speeches he scratched an itch with his third finger for a big laugh. Both he and his wife said Hillary would throw the 'kitchen sink' at him. These are all example of his sexism, he also played the racism card and even his book talks about his learning how to play devisive politics. Continue to be blinded by his celebrity status and media favoritism at your own risk, but remember you are now dragging down the rest of us with you, because we all love this country. It is not the blackness of black women that holds them back in society, it is the sexism which is more destructive to their getting ahead. Some women get this, some do not. But this election is about the candidates, issues, and policies, and the better qualified candidates are the RNC team McCain/Palin.

Posted by: Babs | Sep 3, 2008 1:51:23 PM

@ Jackie | Sep 3, 2008 9:43:39 AM
"Anyone that is not certain if a soul is present at conception or actual birth has no business championing this cause."

So, if a soul forms at conception, do identical twins each have half a soul? Don't impose your religious beliefs on my secular government. You don't want an abortion? Don't have one. It's your CHOICE (for now).

Posted by: Rebecca | Sep 3, 2008 1:37:20 PM

All you women - Watch the TV interview Sarah Palin had last spring. Palin called Hilary Clinton a "whiner" when she claimed gender bias by media. Now McCain-Palin themselves are also claiming "gender" bias. But no gender bias issue was made by Barack Obama. As a professional woman I welcome criticism and would want to be treated fairly. I condone reverse gender bias. Because this is not fair and I know what it feels like. Being treated fairly is what this is all about. As a female I do not appreciate politicians who just use gender bias claims for statements that are not gender biased. Repeated use of these types of baseless "gender" claims is an insult to all women and yes, men too. And it will ultimately, most certainly damage the cause of all women.

Posted by: Sharonklim | Sep 3, 2008 1:24:06 PM

McCain is not the one out of touch with women! There are at least two victims for every abortion, the baby and the woman. However, the woman may not realize it at the time. It takes a lifetime of suffering and painful regret before the woman may realize she's a victim of the abortion industry. Do you really think that an abortionist cares about the women he is "helping." No, he cares about lining his pockets. This industry is big money. I bet the Democrats campaign is paid for in big part by Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry. The democrats have been bought! It is sickening. I couldn't even watch the DNC..They all make me ill. But, I am especially disgusted by Joe Biden who is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Believe me, he is not a faithful Catholic and I applaud the US Bishops for speaking out against him and the other frauds like Nancy Pelosi and the like. God Bless John McCain and Sarah Palin for speaking the truth. I pray Roe vs. Wade is overturned someday.

Posted by: Rose | Sep 3, 2008 1:19:26 PM

One of the first indications that a person is dead is when no heartbeat can be heard anymore.
In your opinion how many days after fecondation one may hear the first heartbeats of a baby?

Posted by: Jacques | Sep 3, 2008 12:51:17 PM

The Obama campaign had better come up with something better than that. The Democrats made it clear with the 18 million voters of Hillary Clinton "Screw you & Hillary Clinton" we don't need you. Now all of a sudden they are worried about my uterus. Don't thinks so. Any intelligent woman voter knows this goes back to the states and does not fall prey to these scare tactics.
Her should have worried about the women's vote before now by selecting Hillary. To late now.

Posted by: tlintx | Sep 3, 2008 12:48:41 PM

The ad states:
Let me tell you - if Roe v Wade is overturned, the lives and health of women will be put at risk.

This is an incredibly stupid statement. It is Abortion that puts the lives and health of women at risk! Research how many women have died and have been seriously injured and are now unable to conceive as a result of their choice and have been diagnosed with breast cancer as a result of choosing a completely unneccesary surgery.

The as also states:
"We can't let John McCain take away our right to choose... We can't let him take us back."

The perception of some is that this is about choice. It's not. The truth in this matter is that the word choose can be substited with the statement, "My right to destroy my baby."

The truth is that the right to abortion has enabled the society of the United States to murder 50 million persons.

What most do not see is how pregnancy is a blessing, a grace, which allows for individuals to become more unselfish and in essence more loving. Becoming pregnant is the nearest point where humanity resembles the likeness of the Holy Trinity.

Abortion is the antithesis of creationism. One cannot state that they have faith in God and support abortion. The act of abortion defies God.

What most are unaware of is that Abortion amounts to spiritual suicide. By the distorted perspective of fighting for the right to choose, fueled by pride and a dertimination to not be controlled (by the natural outcome of sexuality?!), people and our nation and our world are unwittingly destroying the relation they have with God and the promise of eternal life.

To some that last statement probably seems overly dramatic, however, I surmise that logic suggests otherwise. If humanity, made in God's likeness, willingly denies life into it's domain, then certainly there is justification for God to deny life into His domain.

And, yes we have been provided with the sacrifical lamb, our Lord, Jesus Christ, to shield us from God's wraith, but, we are incapable of proposing a willingness towards faith and a belief in the salvation if we continue to embrace abortion. It's not plausbile to suggest one can be for God and against God. It would be simply foolish for one to promote themselves as a pro-choice christian.

Posted by: Jon_in_Charlotte | Sep 3, 2008 12:38:52 PM

Lou, you wrote: "The issue is not abortion per se; the issue is a woman's right to make decisions regarding her own body."

What a crock! We have laws that prohibit the taking of controlled substances. Isn't that infringing on everyone's right to choose? To choose as to whether to be high or not, whether to overdose? This IS about the killing of the innocent.

Now for those who attempt to equate abortion with the killing during war or even capital punishment, the difference is that the unborn is innocent. The infant is unable to defend itself.

As for Sarah Palin's stance on sex education, she opposes "explicit" sex education and the distribution of contraceptives in schools. The question and subsequent answer that everyone uses to claim that she is against birth control and for only abstinence education was actually: "Will you support funding for abstinence-until-marriage education instead of for explicit sex-education programs, school-based clinics, and the distribution of contraceptives in schools." TO THAT SHE SAID "YES."

As far as I know she has never been asked specifically, "Do you oppose birth control?" I have seen reports that she actually does support birth control. I don't know! Hopefully she will answer that question tonight. Or if not, then during her first news conference maybe someone will ask her that question.

Finally, abstinence IS THE ONLY 100% effective method to not becoming pregnant and/or preventing sexually transmitted diseases. The problem is NOT the method. The problem is not adhering to the method. Contraceptives are not infallible.

Posted by: James Danley | Sep 3, 2008 12:36:34 PM

"Why does he only have his wife and half sister for character references....why can't granny talk?"
-----
Typical white person?

Posted by: Belle Starr | Sep 3, 2008 12:30:10 PM

"After running the most misogynistic campaign in Democrat history, now it's time for Obama to scare the little wimmin into voting for him. I wonder how woman feel about being first mistreated, then second, threatened?"
-----
A whole bunch of 'em "feel" that voting for Palin or for Cynthia McKinney is the best thing to do.

Posted by: Belle Starr | Sep 3, 2008 12:28:34 PM

After running the most misogynistic campaign in Democrat history, now it's time for Obama to scare the little wimmin into voting for him. I wonder how woman feel about being first mistreated, then second, threatened?

Posted by: OxyCon | Sep 3, 2008 12:20:58 PM

What's BO's stance on drugs, since he was so into crack 22 years ago. His drug friends wouldn't be interviewed for the bio they did on him on FOX. Why does he only have his wife and half sister for character references....why can't granny talk?

Posted by: Debra | Sep 3, 2008 11:57:08 AM

What about all the killing going on in Iraq (and elsewhere) and capitol punishment? The conservative anti-abortionists seems to think it's just fine to kill those babies once they grow up. Hypocrites!

Posted by: LEPBTV | Sep 3, 2008 11:26:30 AM

it may surprise some americans, but there are somethings we just don't have the right to do...

Posted by: cynic | Sep 3, 2008 11:10:16 AM

If McCain is elected, don't blame him if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Blame Congress, with their democratic majority, for confirming the nomination! Tell them to do their job!

Posted by: taoofterri | Sep 3, 2008 11:10:09 AM

Wasn't Obama the one who said we shouldn't vote on wedge issues? Oh, I see, he was just talking to those who OPPOSE abortion!

Posted by: marylou | Sep 3, 2008 10:35:49 AM

Senator Obama, there are 46 chromosomes in a fertilized egg (that means its a NEW human)... 23 chromosomes from the mother and 23 chromosomes from the father).

Posted by: TR | Sep 3, 2008 10:10:26 AM

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