Actresses call out Romney on abortion in new ad
October 15th, 2012
11:22 AM ET
10 years ago

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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Filed under: 2012 • Abortion • MoveOn
soundoff (538 Responses)
  1. Drew

    Well..Gov Romney and Eddie Mounster wouldn't burn down a women's health clinic but they'd probably roast marshmallows in the flames.

    October 15, 2012 03:17 pm at 3:17 pm |
  2. m

    @mark... its spelled imbeciles... but I suppose you just wanted to prove your point.

    October 15, 2012 03:17 pm at 3:17 pm |
  3. searayshea@gmail.com

    Who cares about these Liberal Celebs, really? The election is not about abortion, it is about the economy. They will do anything they can to distract the distractible. Get a LIfe, go run around with Sean Penn and Hugo Chavez, they are truly the beacons of your ambitions.

    October 15, 2012 03:18 pm at 3:18 pm |
  4. Woman In California

    These women – whatever their views, worked for their money unlike Ann Romney.

    October 15, 2012 03:19 pm at 3:19 pm |
  5. Drew

    Snifit..Republican congressmen don't have to worry about abortions for their mistresses boy pages don't get pregnant.

    October 15, 2012 03:19 pm at 3:19 pm |
  6. MagicPanties

    Ryan is perhaps even more dangerous a pick than Palin was.

    He wants a nationwide personhood amendment outlawing all women's rights over their own bodies (no exceptions).

    Romney/Ryan is a ticket back to the dark ages.

    October 15, 2012 03:20 pm at 3:20 pm |
  7. pkrbkr

    These women have every right to speak up.....We ARE being threatened by the Republicans.....all across the country in nearly every state something has been said or brought before legislature that is against women.....and MEN are the ones who think they can tell us what to do with our bodies. How strange that the Republicans want the government out of our lives, EXCEPT when it comes to our bodies and bedrooms, then they want control!

    October 15, 2012 03:20 pm at 3:20 pm |
  8. Larry L

    @truth hurts

    So for all you pro-abortion women out there, I have a question. It took TWO people to make that baby. As Obama loves to say, "you did NOT make that on your own"! Why shouldn't the FATHER be able to take custody of the baby once it is born if he wishes to do so? What gives YOU the right to kill HIS son or daughter without his consent? Or do you pro-abortion women just want to be able to force men into paying for the children but not give him HIS parental rights?

    You see, once there is a baby involved, there is MUCH more than the "rights" of the women involved.
    ------------------------------------------------
    A fertilized egg isn't a baby any more than the eggs you eat are chickens. This "personhood" crap is the propaganda used by the radicals in the anti-women's rights arena to create a false perception. You morons are allowing yourselves to be jerked around by wealthy right-wingers who realize they must have your votes to get their lap-dogs elected. You're "one-trick ponies" who see the entirety of our governmental process about abortion. You're willing to support fat-cats whose policies will promote poverty, bigotry, war, environmental destruction, and destroy the middle class in America. Is abortion a good thing? Hell no! Is it government's business to intervene between a woman and her doctor? Of course not. You're just getting used so the fat-cats can energize you to vote their way.

    October 15, 2012 03:22 pm at 3:22 pm |
  9. The Cold, Hard Truth

    Padraig: The Romney ticket came out and said they do not support abortion unless it was caused by rape, incest, or the pregnant woman's life was in danger.
    ________________

    So I guess Romney has no problem with killing then, does he? Let's not pretend we're actually holier than thou when actually killing is not a problem for the Republican ticket at all. You really only just need the right conditions for killing and then it is completely A-okay. All that is needed is a reason that fits the Republican political, religious, or global agenda, and we'll actually have no problem blowing your head right off your shoulders or terminating your life in utero.

    Pretend all you want otherwise, but that is the cold, hard truth.

    October 15, 2012 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |
  10. ArthurP

    Why would a woman vote for a person, or political party for that matter, who wants them to be treated like a common criminal just because they had a miscarriage?

    In their attempt to circumvent a woman's right to a legal abortion Paul "forcible rape" Ryan(R) along with Todd "legitimate rape" Akin(R) co-sponsored the "Sancti.ty of Human Life Act:H.R. 212" which says that life starts at fertilization and guarantees that life full protection under the law which of course has the effect of requiring women who miscarry to be investigated for murder and then charged accordingly.

    (1) the Congress declares that–

    (A) the right to life guaranteed by the Consti.tution is vested in each human being, and is the paramount and most fundamental right of a person; and

    (B) the life of each human being begins with fertilization, cloning, or its functional equivalent, irrespective of sex, health, function or disability, defect, stage of biological development, or condition of dependency, at which time every human being shall have all the legal and consti.tutional attributes and privileges of personhood; and

    (2) the Congress affirms that the Congress, each State, the District of Columbia, and all United States territories have the authority to protect the lives of all human beings residing in its respective jurisdictions.

    October 15, 2012 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |
  11. ct

    As a first time independent voter, I don't agreed with administration's policies on some economic issues. But as a woman, I don't think the country can afford to go back and ignore women's rights. This issue alone will drive my vote towards Obama.

    October 15, 2012 03:23 pm at 3:23 pm |
  12. ReluctantlyforRomney2012

    These ladies obviously support murder. I choose to support life. If a woman does not want to be responsible for raising a child, then she should practice abstinence. It is really that simple. When you make a bad investment and lose your a$$, you don't get your money back. If you buy a home and decide you don't want it, you are stuck. So why is it when it comes to a human life women think they should be able to kill the product of a bad decision on their part? Rape, incest, or the mother's life in danger = the only exceptions. Abortion should not be the answer for being stupid.

    October 15, 2012 03:24 pm at 3:24 pm |
  13. roadrunner2

    NOTE: Birth conrol pills do not prevent conception only implantation of the fetus in the womb. It is a very slippery slope to create legal protection for a fetus like Ryan so clearly wants. if so, then he must also want birth control pills to be illegal . Do republicans really want birth control pills to be made illegal? Must be the case if Pro-Life means defending the fetus at all costs

    October 15, 2012 03:24 pm at 3:24 pm |
  14. vp

    I have a sick feeling that the Republicans won't let us recover until it is on their terms.

    and they won't be good for most of us.

    October 15, 2012 03:26 pm at 3:26 pm |
  15. janetlaw

    Mark – what part of "we will defund Planned Parenthood" don't you understand? Pretty simple – he wants to make it harder for women to get life-saving mamograms (oh, and also not have access to family planning including abortion).

    October 15, 2012 03:26 pm at 3:26 pm |
  16. jerome

    From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs! – Barack Obama

    October 15, 2012 03:28 pm at 3:28 pm |
  17. Wilson

    Keep abortion legal. Also, encourage abortion in urban areas, it ill aid in keeping down the gang population.

    October 15, 2012 03:29 pm at 3:29 pm |
  18. Valar Morghulis

    The economy will get a huge bump from abortion costs as the Republicans screwthe people.

    October 15, 2012 03:32 pm at 3:32 pm |
  19. gladiatorgrl

    Reagan at least tried to appoint a justice who would reverse Roe v. Wade (Rehnquist disappointed him). Since then the GOP has been on a mission to stack the court with "conservatives". Roberts showed them recently he isn't their "boy" but threw them a bone with the tax comment in his ruling.

    I have one ? for conservatives (never seems to get past the monitors) WHY with all the tax exempt church money, televangelist money, billionaire conservative money they haven't brought a case to overturn Roe v Wade??
    1) they want to keep it red meat for the electorate – fire up their base 2) they're waiting for the court to be stacked totally with conservatives (wouldn't want another Rehnquist)

    October 15, 2012 03:33 pm at 3:33 pm |
  20. Gil

    Since when are ultrasounds invasive?

    October 15, 2012 03:33 pm at 3:33 pm |
  21. Cheryl

    Yes, the pretty actresses have plenty of money to make their commercial and get heard on tv and radio. I am a woman, a mother, someone that had two miscarriages and had to consider abortion when I finally did get pregnant when test results came out poorly. I'm glad I didn't. I have a beautiful son. Abortion is not a solution. Abstinence and birth control are. I'm sorry, my friends and I cannot afford to make a commercial. Maybe we could if the economy was better.

    October 15, 2012 03:35 pm at 3:35 pm |
  22. wazuri77

    damn if do damn if dont
    .if a woman carries the baby to term and then is dependent upon government assistance..she's attacked by the GOP (moocher, lazy, etc.)...
    if she goes ahead and have an abortion she's attacked...

    October 15, 2012 03:36 pm at 3:36 pm |
  23. hal

    It's the economy....stupid!

    October 15, 2012 03:37 pm at 3:37 pm |
  24. a guy

    scarlett is hot

    October 15, 2012 03:38 pm at 3:38 pm |
  25. David G

    Doesn't the TALIAN also want women to have no RIGHTS?

    October 15, 2012 03:38 pm at 3:38 pm |
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