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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This add does have merit. Look what R&R trying to do and when they do they will take a handle on this issue, the will tell the people we told you , you just was not listening. Romney has a low bar about women his faith tells him so. Romney is a FAKE I can believe that so many people support this man. You have watch this fake in action......some of you think he ran over Obama in the debate but just think about this. We are looking for a Commender and cheif and a Debater in cheif. Romney will say anything just to get a sale, how some many are so ^5jdj . Keep your eye on the ball......
its about jobs...she will not change anyone for abortions,,,
Who cares what some pompous actresses say? Abortion is murder. Roe v Wade was one of the first steps in the downfall of this country. The only exceptions should be in rape (although 2 wrongs still don't make a right) and when the life of the mother is in danger.
Other than that the right to choose occurred when the woman CHOSE to have sex. There are consequences for that action. And there should be no one left on the planet who believes birth control is 100% effective but a choice was still made.
Is abortion the only issue that I, as a woman, should care about? Really?! Is gay marriage the only issue the LGBT community should vote on?
I hate the assumption that I am too stupid to realize there are other issues in the world!
Since there is nothing is the ad that is true.......
These liberals are devoid of reason and cogent thought, why would anyone listen to them.
It is just another example of what liberals consider important: unlimited abortions- from conception to birth (Then if you figure obama supported and trumpeted "baby born alive act" in Illinois....well shows that abortion extends to after the baby is born alive.)
Scarlett Johansson, Eva Longoria and Kerry Washington are featured condemning Republicans for their stance on abortion. Hmmm, I wonder what they have against saving lives of innocent children. I wonder how they might have flet if their mother's chose abortion, rather than life.
Put a sheet on Mr. Ryan or Mr. Akin and you have the American Taliban- they fear women (and girls) too.
kelvin
I support romney because i am more worried about the economy than abortions
Romney has not told you one damn thing what he going to do. Create 12 millions jobs well 12 millions jobs will already be created under Obama, he just want to take the credit for it. Don't get it twisted this man is closing the deal on lies and you can see that, something is wrong with you. Please people WAKE up you let this RICH cat tells you lies and you believe in him what a JOKE. Wake up my God its right in front of your face.
All these republicans trying to control others lives. They say "We cannot allow women to play God", so that allows the Repubs lto play God. What hypocrites. Any personal issue is just that. It's ok to spend a trillion dollars an kill thousands of our soldiers on an war based on lies (Iraq), but God forbid a woman should have the right to choose, by her physician, her life and her God.
BTW, there is a difference between pro-life and pro-birth. Repubs seen to love the control of pro-birth, but they are not going to fund any social "hand-out" programs to help those poor mothers, or their hungry children, SO, you don't care if the child dies outside of the womb, just inside. Yea, that's real christians attitude. Please spare me from the Morality plattitudes.....
Borderless
Why do people care what the entertainment industry thinks of our politics? They aren't even part of our society. They are the wealthiest, most elite, most detached people in this nation. They are America's royalty, and I mean that in absolutely the most derogatory way. Whatever their cause, whoever they are pulling for in this election, their opinions deserve not one moment our attention.
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so I guess you'd discount any comments by Ted Nugent, Kelsey Grammar, James Woods, etc who happen to be conservatives, right?
This ad would have been more relevant with unfamous, no-name women as opposed to the hollywood pander crowd. Celebrities are irrelevant in all things political and if your vote is influenced by a celebrity then you have no business participating in the voting process.
Once again a comedy show, SNL last Saturday, said it best.
Arianna Huffington skit (not the real one) said that if men were the ones who had to have an abortion clinics would be in every corner like Starbucks!
I want these old men, and men period, to stay out of my life and what to do with my body!
Abortion is a personal decision.
When did abortion become a "women's health" issue? Republicans are not redefining rape, they are taking the words of that poor, misguided soul in Wisconsin that embarassed himself earlier this year. I believe most of the RNC denounced him. I don't listen to Hollywood anyways – they should just stay in their own little world. Go Romney.
Tee, I think you didn't copy the entire post. I was responding to Mark, but your post makes it appear that I said what Mark actually said. As the parent of two young adult daughters, believe me, I do care!
The woman behind Roe v Wade is thankful she was not able to get her abortion. The GOP should run ads showcasing all the children who survived abortion. Let people see how thankful those children are that either the abortion did not work or the mother changed her mind. That would be the most powerful message.
Good to know these ladies support killing unborn children. I will not watch anything they are in again.
kelvyn – the economy is obviously not a too much of a problem for you. You still have a computer and an internet connection.
England, Austrailia, New Zealand and Canada all democratic ENGISH speaking countries respect a women's right to choose.
USA is going the WRONG WAY!
Interesting that the GOP wants less government and less regulations for big businesses, and then they want to regulate/legislate what I can do with my body.
I do not believe in abortion for me, but who I am for preventing another woman to have one?
And you men that are posting here, please tell yourself and your children to be informed on how a baby is made: the actions of two people are necessary, so keep it inside your pants! Can you imagine...there will not be need for abortions
Another sideshow designed to distract from the real issues. This is a dead issue. Nothing is going to change no matter who gets elected. Geez they had the same fear-mongering with Reagan, Bush I and II, and abortion is still legal to this day.
You, I and all of us will one day be held accountable for our sins. I know that I am a sinner but I also know that I am saved by the blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Abortion plain and simple is murder. A nation cannot stand on its feet until it bows on its knees. We are a wreck of a nation because of our sins. You may not believe today, but I assure you that on that great day of the return of Christ, you will rue the day you fought against the defenseless.
Planned Parenthood receives about a third of its money in government grants and contracts. By law, federal funding cannot be allocated for abortions.
The government money that Planned Parenthood receives is only used for healthcare screenings, education, and contraception. Your taxes are NEVER used for abortions at Planned Parenthood.
Oh wow, let's get Hollywood actresses to try and scare women. Too bad no one really cares what they have to say. We can make up our own minds and don't need Hollywood to tell us anything. Unless you are extremely shallow.
It's all about choice people. You may personally opposed abortion, but you haven't the right to tell other women what to do. I never had an abortion, had three very much planned and wanted children, so never had to make such a choice. But I'll be damned if I feel I have the right to weigh in on this personal choice of other females. These actresses are doing a worthwhile service in defending our rights.