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. ensense

    A women voting republican is like a black person voting teaparty

    More scare tactics, now we know that the past four years have been nothing much to run on.

    October 15, 2012 06:19 pm at 6:19 pm |
  2. Archie Bunker

    ""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."

    When will this Communist fruit ever learn?

    October 15, 2012 06:23 pm at 6:23 pm |
  3. Non-aborted fetus

    Things like abortion are controversial for a reason. I believe that one reason is because not so long ago, they were morally considered to be wrong. As a society, some have "moved on" and are in disagreement with our forefathers on this, and other issues. (We have certain unalienable rights such as life liberty and the pursuit of happiness). Statistically, 1 percent (yes, 1%) of abortions occur because of Rape. Yet, this is one of the main cries of people to keep abortion legal. Worldwide, approximately 115,000 abortions take place EACH DAY. That means every day, 115,000 people are being deprived of their right to live. Oh, but what about health reasons? Ok, that's another point people make to justify abortion being legal. Statistically, 6 percent (6%) of abortions take place because of health reasons. That leaves 93 percent of all abortions that occur for "social" reasons. The numbers speak for themselves. When these people from Hollywood speak up and try to use rape as their decry, they are only speaking about the 1%. What about the other 93%? Seems like abortion should be the exception, not the "right". Do the math with me- Thirty-nine million babies (93% of 42 million) are aborted each year for "social" reasons.

    October 15, 2012 06:23 pm at 6:23 pm |
  4. Rose

    I am a woman and I am voting for Romney.

    October 15, 2012 06:24 pm at 6:24 pm |
  5. Underwhelmed by my President

    I can't be the only one who think Scarlett has lost her fastball. She's no longer a solid 9. I feel like an era has ended.

    October 15, 2012 06:26 pm at 6:26 pm |
  6. r

    and Roe V. Wade will never be overturned. So... lets stop the distractions and start talking about the real issues k?

    October 15, 2012 06:28 pm at 6:28 pm |
  7. Romney Hood's a FRAUD

    LOL. "Women's Vote" is a virtual tie. You get what you vote for, girls!

    October 15, 2012 06:39 pm at 6:39 pm |
  8. wolfpackbob

    It is The Economy, Mr. President. Your Economy, Mr. President. You built that.

    October 15, 2012 06:39 pm at 6:39 pm |
  9. Tracy W

    I could not care less what actors or actresses say or think... I am pro-birth control and pro-life. I do not believe it is right to use an abortion as one's form of birth control. Life starts at conception.

    October 15, 2012 06:44 pm at 6:44 pm |
  10. Horbie

    Why do libs care so much about what celebrities think. They are not famous for their intellect. They are famous because they look good, and or pretend well. Their political positions should hold about as much weight as Joe Shmoe down at the hardware.

    October 15, 2012 06:47 pm at 6:47 pm |
  11. Sniffit

    "They would rather kill a child then go through the hassle of raising it properly."

    They would rather raise atheir kid to be a truth-denying Republican then go through the hassle of raising it properly.

    FIFY

    October 15, 2012 06:48 pm at 6:48 pm |
  12. AC Summers

    GOP needs to stay out of my wound....I value life and I dont need any man telling me Im kiiling a life when they are gunning people down and promoting gun violence.....

    October 15, 2012 06:51 pm at 6:51 pm |
  13. ohgran

    Mikey – You need to know your facts before making erroneous comments. Find out EXACTLY who implimented the phone program. But then that would be too much for you to accept to know that it wasn't the President.

    October 15, 2012 06:52 pm at 6:52 pm |
  14. Ryan

    "No one and no government is going to tell a woman what she can do, or can't do with her body."
    But you have the right to tell that baby whether he/she has the right to live?

    "It's hers alone and it's her decision."
    To tell another life whether they can live or die?

    "I don't see pro-lifers stepping up to the plate to paying the medical costs for unwanted pregnancies, counseling for rape victms, and then agreeing to adopt all these aborted fetuses and putting them through college."

    Ok so you have an unwanted baby, people tell you that you should not murder that baby, and then you demand why aren't they offering to pay for YOUR kids' entire upbringing?

    October 15, 2012 06:55 pm at 6:55 pm |
  15. keith

    To "yourmom"
    "A woman voting Republican is like a black person voting for the tea party".
    Yes, and when they do, they are exhibiting superior thought development.

    October 15, 2012 06:57 pm at 6:57 pm |
  16. okapi

    It sounds funny that for people this issue is primary concern. It looks like no other unresolved problem left!

    October 15, 2012 06:58 pm at 6:58 pm |
  17. NoweBama2012

    Hmm who is hollywood to be deciding this for the American people? Scar Jo needs to stick to what she is good at, which is selling her body for money. We the working people are tired of Hus-sein and we want him gone.

    Romney/Ryan 2012

    October 15, 2012 06:58 pm at 6:58 pm |
  18. chuck

    I personnally dont care whether you get an abortion it is not the way I would take care of the problem but once againg why should the government pay for your mistake and the mistakes all aound the world I would rather the money went to feed the homeless or find jobs for our veterans

    October 15, 2012 06:59 pm at 6:59 pm |
  19. Wells Cargo

    Hey Scarlett, show 'em baby!

    October 15, 2012 07:06 pm at 7:06 pm |
  20. Jeff from Columbus

    Surprise, Surprise! The Hollywood elite liberals are out of touch with America.

    The majority of Americans are now pro-life. Something the elite liberals in Hollywood don't understand but its reality.

    Maybe they should stop going to their fancy parties and step out of their mansions a little bit and they'd understand how middle America thinks.

    October 15, 2012 07:15 pm at 7:15 pm |
  21. wanderlust

    I'm disgusted that the media insists on sterotyping and having my position as a women assumed. There are LOTS of women out there who are passionately PRO-LIFE. The thought of abortion is heartbreaking for me – I have felt the little life inside me and the love that accompanies that. I'm sorry, but no man will ever fully comprehend the tragic reality of abortion. Being a woman does not lead me to be pro-choice, but in fact the extreme opposite.

    October 15, 2012 07:15 pm at 7:15 pm |
  22. Richard

    thefemals in Holly Wood want abortions is then they can continue doing all the men they and the get an abortio......

    October 15, 2012 07:21 pm at 7:21 pm |
  23. Angie

    If these women really wanted to make a difference, they'd be donating their time and money in women's shelters or fighting for the rights of the women being raped and killed daily by the Arab Spring crowd. Instead, they worry about women here who are not accountable for their own actions. They are not women I admire.

    October 15, 2012 07:27 pm at 7:27 pm |
  24. Anne S.

    I can see abortion in rape or incest cases, but just to be having an abortion I don't, What ever happened to doing something about it before you ever hit the sheets? Or with birth control nowadays or duh! did we forget about that. Who pays attention to these Hollywood women anyway?

    October 15, 2012 07:31 pm at 7:31 pm |
  25. Common Sense

    I think people focus to much on the "abortion" issue and forget that this issue is about the health of women. Contraceptives aren't just used to prevent pregnancies, they are also used to treat other medical conditions. For this reason one cannot deny a woman's right to have access to contraceptives or even deny them assisatance (when required) if it pertains to their health. Also putting all the issues and talking points from both sides aside. This issue is about personal freedom, those who oppose choice are clearly opposing personal responsiblity and personal freedom. The argument has also been made regarding the freedom of the unborn fetus. I can only say that science has established a point in which a single multiplying cell ceases to be a cell and becomes human. Following this logic we cannot overrule a person's rights based on the rights of a mass of cells. Using logic and by not imposing your beliefs onto other people this issue can become a non-issue. If you are of faith and you choosen to believe abortion is immoral then by all means have your babies. Yet there are some of us who don't share your views, don't impose your morals don't impose your form of goverment on me or anyone like me. I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate if I imposed my "atheist" ideals on you. I am a man and a support a woman's right to choose.

    October 15, 2012 07:31 pm at 7:31 pm |
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