(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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tim tebow is a young man with great strengh, who put his beliefs before the mighty buck and will not backdown to no one. we need more people in sports with his morale upbringing , his parents should be proud of him, i know his Loard is.
I've been waiting FOREVER for the ProLife folks to do a Super Bowl ad. This is the best knews. NARAL puts ads on T.V., too. Life is to be celebrated and if Pro Choice people only knew how much support is truly out there for birth moms AND how many people want to adopt their babies, the 3,500 abortions a day in this country would drop dramatically. I thought the dems were going to work on trying to reduce abortions. Hearts and minds are changing in the U.S.
Tebow is that religious nut that had bible verses painted on his face during the Orange Bowl, right? Roder is that religious nut that murdered a physician who performed abortions. I thought the Super Bowl was about football players not religious nuts.
It is very, very hard for me to imagine that any woman facing an unwanted pregnancy and trying to decide what to do about it would be influenced by a TV commercial, but I think CBS' original policy was correct. To run such a divisive commercial during a Super Bowl game is totally inappropriate. Are they going to include Viagra commercials as well? If I was a parent and had a bunch of elementary school kids over for the game, I surely would not want to have to discuss abortion, either what it is or the ethics. Guess I'll just have to check in with CNN to find out who won the game. I won't be watching such advertisements! And by the way, Palin, I'm not afraid of your commercial. It just simply espouses a belief that I find abhorrent and should not be spread through political advertisements, but most particularly not during a family oriented program.
I wonder if Palin would take a different view IF the ad during Super Bowl was Pro-Abortion? No difference, BUT she would consider it so because it is such a politically polarizing issue.
Hmm...I am not and have never been a Sarah Palin supporter but I have to agree with her on this one. I am also a pro-choice supporter. However, I believe that Focus on the Family has a right to make a commercial about their beliefs. NOWs energies/resources could be better served in a different capacity. The beauty of being pro-choice is that a woman can choose to have an abortion or NOT.
Pro-life? Pro-woman? How is taking away the right for a woman to choose what to do with her body pro-woman? And besides, CBS has rejected ads in the past from the United Church of Christ and PeTA, both of which have liberal views. But these conservative hatemongers get a free pass? Bias much?
A pro-life commercial is about as appropriate as a pro-abortion commercial, and that is not at all. How would Mrs. Palin feel if there were an ad with a woman standing next to a doctor, saying "Thank God I had this fine medical practicioner rip an unborn fetus from my womb! It's such a relief not to have that burden growing inside me, anymore! I love abortions!" Palin would undoubtedly take issue with such an ad, because it's inappropriate for prime-time national television. The Tebow ad is in line with her philosophy, and thats why shes defending it. But the issue is the appropriateness of this discussion on TV, not personal opinions.
Its great to hear something morally positive is happening, the Super Bowl is a great place to start! Go Pro-Life!
Nobody cares what you think Palin, Roe vs Wade is law and people just need to shut up and deal with it already. Until you yourself have walked in the shoes of a woman who is struggling with the decision you have no right to say anything. There are already too many children in the care of the child welfare system and many more abused and neglected every minute of everyday. I don't see you standing up and promising to care for these children or helping the expectant mothers to deal with the issues they face............I don't care who you think you are you are wrong!
The Superbowl is not the correct forum? Last I heard, anyone with the money can place an ad for the Superbowl or any other tv show out there. Free country, free speech. Don't like the ad, turn it off or mute it. Why doesn't NOW pony up the money for a counter ad then?
Leave it to Palin to promote a controversy!
I keep trying to think of a comment, but the only thing that comes to mind is “Palin’s an idiot”. I don't think the Superbowl is an appropriate forum for politics, period.
I don’t watch sports, but I can tell you what the men in my family will do when it comes on. If it doesn’t feature pretty women, fast cars, or talking/dancing animals, they’ll be running for the fridge or for a bathroom break.
I think that is terrible of CBS to do that, the Super Bowl is not the time for that crap. In terms of Palin i wonder how she would feel if NOW paid for an add regarding the right to choose....would she still feel "baffled"?
but of course Palin is "missing our point"... has she EVER gotten ANY point...about ANYTHING?
Ironically, liberal activism demands the right to ardently state their opinions often claiming oppression while tempting to silence the conservative masses. The fact remains that it is a conservative perspective that is often unheard because of ridiculous outcries like the stink NOW is making. How far has this great nation fallen that a message about life is being demonized?! What happened to a respect for truth?!
Again, Palin mangles the English language. I love it. The more she talks the more her ignorance is illuminated for all to see.
I can tell you that I am not a Sarah Palin fan. I think she is quite ignorant and an opportunist. I am also a pro-choice person. However I agree with Sarah in the sense of free speech. If someone can afford to pay for a Superbowl ad they should be able to do so. You cannot censor someone based on their beliefs. For the time being (until republicans get control again) we do still have freedoms in this country. Step down NOW, you are being inappropriate on this topic.
All this from a woman who thought there was a Department of Law in our Government. She's an idiot.
Why can't right wingnuts just follow the law of the land for once? What does this have to do with being pro woman, as they are guaranteed rights under the law, and Focus on the Family wants those rights removed.
OK...let's go tit for tat.
If they insist on airing a pro-life commercial, then they should also allow a pro-choice commercial. Certainly, that's not an offensive message, is it Sarah?
This way, Palin can pick a battle, come across as offended, be baffling, and miss the point.
Oh. Wait. Scratch that. No news there.
Personally, I care less whether or not they air either commercial. Palin is more offensive than both of them.
Between this and their refusal to run an openly gay ad mentioned in another article I do believe it's time to boycott CBS.
Not that they ever have anything good on anyway.
I see nothing wrong with running such a commercial during the Super Bowl. To say the least, promoting family values is a good thing. However, since Focus On The Family is an organization that wants to replace our Democracy with a Theocracy; that is a justifiable reason for the network not to run this particular commercial.
And, that is why I could not vote for John McCain in Nov 2008; although I wanted to, with a Theocrat as the VP candidate (Palin), it was too big a risk.
Hell must have FROZEN OVER because I AGREE with Palin!
DON'T WE ALL HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH REGARDLESS OF OUR BELIEFS OR VALUES?!
Come on NOW, you want to silence an opposing voice? How is this respecting everyone regardless of beliefs?
Sorry, but Palin's right on this one. They bought the ad and it attacks no one so they're entitled to run it. The extreme right and extreme left have ruined any attemp at polite discourse in this country.