Actresses call out Romney on abortion in new ad
(CNN) – Hollywood actresses Scarlett Johansson, Eva Longoria and Kerry Washington are featured condemning Republicans for their stance on abortion in a new political ad from the liberal group MoveOn.org.
The spot, released Monday and directed by noted filmmaker Rob Reiner, will air nationally and in the battleground states of Colorado and Virginia, the group said, adding it would air during shows primarily viewed by women.
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"I want to talk to you about women," Johansson says at the beginning of the spot, followed by Washington saying, "And about Mitt Romney."
"Mitt Romney is for ending funding to Planned Parenthood," Longoria says, with Johansson chiming in, "Including cancer screenings."
The ad continues:
Washington: "He said he'd overturn Roe v. Wade."
Johansson: "We have Republicans trying to redefine rape."
Longoria: "Trying to force women to undergo invasive ultrasounds."
Johansson: "If you think that this election won't affect you and your life, think again."
Washington: "Vote."
Longoria: "Vote."
Johansson: "Vote for Barack Obama."
In a statement, Reiner said Romney, and his running mate Paul Ryan, would "eviscerate women's rights" if they're elected in November.
"We'd be talking about getting rid of abortion, birth control, access to health care screenings. As a husband, son and father, I can't stand by and let this happen," Reiner continued.
"Misleading political attacks will not change President Obama's failed record," Romney campaign spokeswoman Amanda Henneberg wrote in response to the MoveOn.org ad. "His policies have made it harder for women across the country to start businesses, get good jobs, or see their children able to go to college and get started with their lives. Mitt Romney will lead us to a real recovery so that women – and all Americans – can succeed and live the American Dream."
Last week, Democrats pounced on Romney after he said in an interview with the Des Moines Register that he was not aware of any abortion legislation he would promote as part of his agenda as president.
Democrats claimed that was a reversal for the candidate, who maintained during the GOP primary season that he would support efforts to remove funding for Planned Parenthood, a women's health group that provides abortion services. Several House Republicans have introduced legislation that would strip funding from the group.
Romney reiterated that pledge later in the week, and on Sunday a top adviser to Romney's campaign said the GOP nominee was a "pro-life candidate" and would serve as a "pro-life president."
Ed Gillespie, speaking to CNN chief political correspondent Candy Crowley on "State of the Union," said that was a long-standing position for the Republican candidate.
"What the governor has consistently said is that he thinks Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided and this is something that should be left to elected representatives, to the people through their elected representatives," Gillespie said, referring to the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision affirming a woman's right to have an abortion.
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I do not like our abortion laws and believe this is a states rights issue. Each state should have the right to decide to make abortion legal or not. We had 8 years of Regan followed by 4 years of Bush Sr and 8 years of Clinton Followed by 8 years of Bush Jr. 20 out of 28 years were Republicans and the law did not change.
To the lady Weak NO More-I am sorry you had an abortion that you did not want to have. However, there are many women who do not want to have babies (rape, incest, health or because they are not able to take care of one at this time) and will not have babies irregardless of their being a safe clinic to have them or not. So that being said, we do need to have safe places to have abortions or you will have back ally abortions once again. To make them illegal will not mean that there will be no abortions, just more dangerous abortions. Meanwhile, for those of you criticizing the actress for speaking for greater access to healthcare...so if you are an actress you cannot have an opinion on something that can effect you??? That is rubbish. As long as she is a voting American, they have all the right in the world to speak!!
I love how some of you are getting upset that there are actors and actresses out there that are supporting Barack Obama, and calling for them to shut their mouths because they don't know what they're talking about.
How about Clint Eastwood and Chuck Norris? They're actors as well, do they need to shut their mouths? Oh that's right, they are in Romney's rink so it's ok for them to spout off their ideas.
Really? Celebrities are beyond the 1%? Spoiled and pampered? While spoiled and pampered may be true for some of them, what does that make Romney? The man was born into privilege and wealth. The struggle they describe is having to sell stock while in college. Do you really think Romney can relate to you? He said go borrow money from your parents. He doesn't realize not everyone is rich like his family.
For all those that declare these women don't speak for most women ... They speak for me! Thank goodness there are women out there who will stand up and speak out loud in the public square for those of us who do not have the opportunity to do so. The right to have a say in the goings on inside of your very own uterus shouldn't even be up for debate! If it resides inside me, it's clearly under my jurisdiction and it's survival completely hinges (biologically, morally, practically) on my willingness to maintain a biological connection and sustain it. NO ONE has a right to force any other person to maintain a biolical connection to and host another person... regardless of how the situation came to be. PERIOD. END OF STORY. I have MORE say in what happens or does no happen INSIDE my uterus than you do and that is the way it should be!!! Do not men govern the material world already, now they must declare dominion over the INSIDE of MY BODY?? No ma'am and no sir!
Hysterical falsehoods! Does anyone really do something advocated by an actress? And their expertise? Are they smarter than the average housewife? No. Abortion is the law of the land. Ending taxpayer money toward Planned Parenthood does stop what they offer. So stop the lies already!
Who cares about abortions.....I'm wondering what these gals think of raspberry flavored, ribbed condoms and StaminaRX.
Scarlett Johanssen "washed up"?? "elite 1% ers"?? I detect absolutely no jealousy with comments like these. Republicans always blaming democrats for "attacking" the successful (oh no! a whopping 4% tax increase!! CLASS WARFARE!) but any celeb supporting the President is an elite 1%-er. Too funny.
If Romnet/Ryan were to be elected, Todd Akin would have an important position in their cabinet and every American would male would be given a free handgun and a free ticket to rape any woman.
@ Sharon @ 1:33 pm –
I AGREE !! I actualy have Known people that were in the very Same Circumstance as You were in, or Are IN.
Thanks For Your Post !
Hope everyone reads your post, so maybe they will be enlightened. ( and possibly more educated)
May the Best Man Win – 2012
Hilary – 2016 ( then in 2018 – we will have a 'surplus')
Rights of which women? The unborn girls have NO rights. 30 Million have been murdered in the US since Roe v Wade. Obamacare will be very intrusive into our lives... taxing people who think abortion is the taking of human life and making them pay for it. These women think that government shouldn't tell them what to do, yet don't mind other people paying for intimate behavior. Twisted sisters.
Borderless-
Wow, with the hatered you show towards rich Hollywood actors you must really despise Mr. Romney.
I find it very interesting that these hollywood types wish to tell the American woman that if one person is elected, abortion, wellness exams and birth control will disappear. Get a clue America. These actresses weren't even convincing on their respective screen appearances.
Romney has bigger things to focus on than Abortion, etc. He will not legislate it away.
Additionally-–If you are concerned about this, you should be more concerned with Obama's attempt to socialize our country and his buddy/buddy relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood. Women stand to LOSE A LOT MORE if Obama is re-elected.
Romney will not overturn Row v Wade.
Mommy, why don't you want me?
Why hasn't Tim Tebow been heard on this issue during this campaign?!?!?!?!
Abortion must be kept legal. It should be up to a church, religious beliefs or any one person to tell a women what she can and can't do to her own body. It's a medical procedure and at some point in a women's life, she may need one because of an impending miscarriage, birth defects in which the fetus will not survive outside the womb or the pregnancy is posing a serious danger to the mother's health or life. Lets not forget about a women's life...a breathing, tax paying, existing person who may have other children to care for.
How many of those actresses plan on having an abortion? For that matter how many women voters plan on having an abortion? It's not a real issue – it's a perception issue. If you don't want a kid, don't spread your legs.
@Your mother – If men wanted to control women, it would already be done.
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And in the above words lies a second fundamental issue with intelligent women voting Republican. Read this folks... this is the mentality and approach to subjugation that right wing women have. On no.. next....Obama's gonna take your guns away ! Sssshh.
Sorry, I mean, It should NOT be up to a church, etc...
When did ultrasounds for pregnancy become "invasive"?
Do these three idiots even know what "invasive" means in the medical context?
No one wants more abortions. But taking away the rights of women is not the direction we need to go. Lets all work together to prevent teen pregnacies. What gets me on this issue is the same people that are not pro-choice are also against contraception and for social programs that help women that have unwanted pregnacies.
@PrtyofStupid
When any of you men have the ability to bare children, then you can comment. Until...go somewhere! No one and I mean no one has the right to tell a woman what to do with her body. What will it be next...birth limits?
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It would be nice if people were better educated on health , birth control , sustanabilaty , comunity .
We all can't have five children , 19 grandchildren , the planet would triple each year at the Romney Pro Create rate .
Why do Mormon's , Muslims and Catholics have so many kids ?
It's not a baby, it's not a child, it's a zygote, an egg. Do all you right-wingers have the same holy reverence each time you eat an omelet? But beyond the semantics, why should the government (old white GOPers) tell a woman what she can and can't do with her body? Except for beheadings, there really isn't much difference between Sharia Law and GOP policies.
I really wish people would actually take the time to READ Roe v.s. Wade instead of judging without doing so. R vs W does not guarantee you get an abortion. In the 2nd and 3rd Trimester, R v W actually says that it is UP TO THE STATES what to do. 2nd trimester to protect the mother's help, 3rd to protect the fetus'. IT ACTUALLY STATES: IF YOU THINK THAT THIS MEANS YOU CAN HAVE AN ABORTION ANYTIME, YOU ARE MISTAKEN.
Please folks read this legislation before bashing it.