(CNN) - Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is not backing down from her criticisms over the National Organization for Women's demand that CBS cease from airing a pro-life commercial during the Superbowl.
"For a pro-life, pro-woman, pro-family ad to be seen as offensive and not empowering women is puzzling," Palin told Fox News' Greta Van Susteren Thursday. "It makes you wonder what is NOW afraid of?"
The ad in question is paid for by the conservative political action group Focus on the Family and features Heisman-winning college quarterback Tim Tebow and his mother, Pam, discussing her decision not to have an abortion even though doctors recommended it at the time. Deciding against an abortion, she gave birth to Tim, who grew up to be an all-star quarterback at the University of Florida and perhaps one of the best college quarterbacks of all time.
Several abortion rights groups have taken issue with the ad, saying the Superbowl is not the correct forum for politically-charged messages. But Palin, who originally took issue with NOW's request on her Facebook page earlier this week, said the group is picking the wrong battle.
"It certainly isn't an offensive message," the former Alaska governor said on Fox. "For NOW to have chosen this, [they are] picking a wrong battle I think, to come across sounding quite offended by hearing that a pro-life commercial will air on the Superbowl, it's baffling."
Meanwhile NOW President Terry O'Neill said Palin is "missing our point."
"The goal of the Focus on the Family ad is not to empower women. It's to create a climate in which Roe v. Wade can be overturned," O'Neill said in a statement obtained by CNN. "There are always going to be women who need abortions. In this country, one in three women will have an abortion."
While CBS used to adhere to a policy of not airing advocacy commercials during sporting events, a spokesman for the network told the Associated Press they have changed their stance to reflect "industry norms."
From CNN Politics
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I've seen ads for D.A.R.E., PETA, etc, during the Super Bowl in years past. If NOW wants to get their own message out, spend the cash and get your own add.
Although, I do think all of their hype is nothing more than a ploy to over-hype this commercial. Once it hits, and it's mind-boggling, people are going to be disappointed and move on.
I guess some folks have to complain about SOMETHING!
Why is this person still getting air time? She is a loser, picked by a loser. Give it a rest!
Missy Palin ALWAYS misses the point. This is what she is all about.
NOW represents a narrow segment of Women with inconsistent and partisan views heavily tilting towards Pro Gay, Pro Abortion, Pro Democratic Party.
The key word in Tim Tebow's mother's statement is "DECISION". Pro-life wants to take away that right to make that decision.
But it is okay to air political ads during super bowl. If the pro choice wants to run a ad, then so be it. If you dont like it dont watch it.
Whats wrong N.O.W. afraid that it might save the life of a child?
If it does save just one baby, then all the money spent will be worth it.
I think a great compromise would be for the ad to air in the Super Bowl, if Sarah will take a vow of silence for the next 10 years!!!!
O'Neill said in a statement obtained by CNN. "There are always going to be women who need abortions. In this country, one in three women will have an abortion."
NEED abortion? Hmmm..... Ms. O'Neill, whether women "need" an abortion is a highly controversial topic. I think YOU miss the point and your assumption that the intent of this ad is to overturn Roe vs. Wade is an assumption which may not be true. I think the point of the ad is to help people realize that being advised to abort an unplanned baby is not always (and maybe never) good counsel. Unborn babies need advocates because they certainly have many that are not even for giving them a right to live. You are one of them. As for Roe vs. Wade, it's just a matter of time before certain people will admit the "fetus" is actually a living being which should be afforded all the rights that you yourself have. Would you have a problem with CBS if they were to air a Planned Parenthood commercial. Now be honest.
These idiots will never cease.
Pam Tebow made a CHOICE. She chose to have her child.
Bristol Palin made a CHOICE. She chose to have her child too.
Using these as weapons against the right to CHOOSE is just pure idiocy, and par for the course from Sarah Palin and those who support her.
Why won't CBS allow NOW the same courtesy? It isn't about the ad, it's about CBS denying NOW its first amendment rights.
Sarah Palin wants an theocratic America. She is working toward an America where laws and government are based on her skewed conservative Christian theology.
If that happens, God help us!
Sarah is right ........... In fact I'll take it a step further .......... Why is NOW claiming this ad is so offensive but doesn't even get it's feathers ruffled over all the adds that portray women as sex objects. Seems to me they are the ones with an agenda.
The problem I have is the difference between "need" and want.
One in three, sounds like more "want" than "need".
Who does sara think she is the only people listening to her are the right wing nuts and the so called tea baggers,how can anybody listen to her when she will say and do anything for a buck.
Who cares what Sarah thinks or says anymore? In the Republican party, all eyes and attention are on Scott Brown. He's smarter and more articulate than Palin (he actually speaks in complete sentences), and he doesn't have all her baggage (being a quitter and an election loser, and having her hillbilly, made-for-tabloid family, etc.). Sorry Sarah, your 15-minutes are over. Brown is the new flavor-of-the-month.
I'm surprised Palin supports this pro-choice message: "Tim Tebow and his mother, Pam, discussing her DECISION not to have an abortion even though doctors recommended it at the time." [emphasis added]
In other words, she made a choice. Personally, I'm glad she feels she made the right choice and I'm glad that it was her choice and not her doctors' or legislators'.
Gee Palin, if you had a brain maybe you could figure it out.... it's a POLITICAL ad running on network TV during a sporting event. If it were a PRO CHOICE ad, which actually empowers women , you'd be having a conniption fit.
How does a PRO LIFE stance empower women by taking away their legal rights?
MORON
there are not many things which I agree with Sarah Palin on but this is one of them. I am anti-abortion although I support a woman's right to choose. We should be doing everything we can to convince women that abortion may not be the best choice. Everything except making it illegal. I believe abortions are morally wrong, but what women do with her body is her own right.
Is there an OFF button on this girl-?
Abortion should be voted on as a public question.It has no place as a question of government and to be constantly used as political football.Republicans dont ever want it really overruled as long as it gives them victories at the polls.
I'm a Pro-Choice Liberal guy and not a Palin fan. But, I don't get NOW's point on this. Given free speech and all, they just look weak and defensive.
This woman picks and chooses what issues she will talk about, but on the main issues that this country is facing she can't give anyone a straight answer........my distaste for this woman is so great that I will not watch the Superbowl now that Palin is getting involved in voicing her oppinion about what ADs should or should not air .......
Keep politics differences out of sports...that is healthier!
OK you "pro-Lifers" (Pailin!) listen....
You are NOT pro-LIFE...you are ANTI-abortion. There is a HUGE difference. There is NOTHING pro-life about Sarah Palin. She supports the use of torture,rejects aid to familes with dependent children,rejects jobs programs for teenagers, supports immoral wars, she supports captial punishment. That all anti-LIFE. Pro-life? Please....
And Palin wants the federal govt to intrude into the reproductive lives of ALL women.
Last thing...Ms. Palin... there is no such word as "mandation"!
...So Tebow's mother was given a...what's the word?? oh yeah...CHOICE. I'm glad she made the decision she did and I'm glad she had one.