Planned Parenthood Action Fund Launches Radio Ad Criticizing Sen. McCain’s Commitment to Overturn Roe v. Wade

WASHINGTON, DC — The Planned Parenthood Action Fund today announced the release of a radio ad educating voters about Sen. John McCain’s anti-choice voting record. Throughout his entire public career, Sen. McCain has voted consistently against women’s health, and he supports overturning the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling,Roe v. Wade.

“Sen. McCain believes government has the right to interfere with the most personal and often the most difficult decisions affecting a woman's health,” said Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. “Most Americans believe just the opposite and, as more voters realize Sen. McCain’s ardent anti-choice position, this will be an issue for him in the general election.”

As Sen. McCain is the presumptive Republican nominee for president, his record and rhetoric on abortion will come under further scrutiny. As NPR reported last week, many Republican voters incorrectly believe that Sen. McCain supports abortion rights. However, Sen. McCain’s voting record and statements put him out of the mainstream of voters.

According to a recent Quinnipiac Poll (August 2007), 62% of voters support Roe v. Wade, with 64% of independent voters supporting Roe v. Wade. In the same poll, by a 20-point margin, voters believe abortion should be legal (57–37); among independent voters, that margin increases to 26 points (59–33).

The Planned Parenthood Action Fund is launching an aggressive effort to educate voters about Sen. McCain’s anti-choice record, using Sen. McCain’s own words in the radio ad.

“We will make clear to voters that Sen. McCain is anti-choice and wants to overturn Roe v. Wade,” said Richards. “The more voters learn about Sen. McCain’s ardent anti-choice record, the more resistance he will face from the majority of voters, especially among moderate Republicans and independents, who support Roe v. Wade.”

Sen. McCain has received a zero percent rating from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the lowest rating in the U.S. Senate. He opposed commonsense measures to avoid unintended pregnancies and thus reduce the need for abortion. He opposed ending the “global gag rule,” an anti-family planning restriction that reduces access to contraception and abortion services and information in poorer countries.

The radio ad, called “Real Talk,” will air in the Washington, DC, media market, targeting voters going to the polls on February 12.

Script for Radio ad: “Real Talk”
:60

Announcer: Think you know which candidate for president wants to outlaw abortion and overturn Roe v. Wade?

McCain: “I do not support Roe v. Wade. It should be overturned.” [AP, 2/18/07]

Announcer: That’s John McCain, not Mike Huckabee, and those are his real views. Even though John McCain knows what’s at risk, he wants abortion to be illegal again, just like it used to be.

McCain: “I do believe that it’s very likely or possible that a Supreme Court should, could overturn Roe v. Wade.” [ABC This Week with George Stephanopoulos, 11/19/06]

Announcer: McCain’s plan to outlaw abortion threatens the lives and health of women — that’s why John McCain received a zero percent rating from Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the lowest rating in the US Senate. When you vote, always vote pro-choice and remember John McCain’s real talk:

McCain: “I have been pro-life for all of my political career.” [NBC Meet the Press with Tim Russert, 5/13/07]

Announcer: Paid for by Planned Parenthood Action Fund; not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.www.plannedparenthoodvotes.org. Planned Parenthood Action Fund is responsible for the content of this advertisement.