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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For all of you anti-choice people out there – what is a woman supposed to do if her husband DEMANDS she have an abortion or he'll leave her? I actually had a friend in highschool who never met his dad because the guy walked out when his mom found out she was pregnant. They already had two adult children at the time and daddy didn't want to start again from scratch. My friend was born in 1965 – a full 8 years before Roe v. Wade!
Fortunately, the hollywood crowd doesn't speak for many women in America. If you don't want to have children there are ways of accomplishing that without abortion. It amazes me that women (and some men) think that being asked to be responsible is an infringement of their rights but that abortions, where a child can feel pain, are acceptable. As a woman who is against abortion I'm not going to tell you what your rights are in relation to your body. However, if you are planning on inflicting pain on a baby who can feel it – I will stand up for them and oppose your ability to do so.
Women aren't a minority or a special interest group. They are half of the population. The GOP will do good to listen to what they have to say.
ROE v. WADE, 410 U.S. 113 (1973)
Reading is fundemental
Obama is more Pro life than Romney
Before Obama Care 26,000 Americans died each year prematurly because they had no health coverage
What did Romney and Ryan do to help these people = NOTHING
Obama and Biden are going to heaven
Romney and Ryan are going the other way – i..e. FLAMES
the anti abortion people set tactics to stuff out life in our society, and pretend to care about life otherwise
We better listen to these bright young women and vote how they recommend. They know more than the rest of us and they should tell us how we ought to be living our lives and voting. I'm listening to these smart Americans and voting how they suggest.
It's funny..... most of Hollywood is in the 1% and they rally around helping others, paying there fair share of taxes to move America in a forward direction, people rights, and charity's. The republican 1% rally around how to screw everyone else to keep every penny and not pay there fair share. And call them socialist or communist............
tk ellis
You are just an actress...GOD has a plan and Romney will make it happen. What Romney is saying you are just an actress; most of us are just GOD'S people, who believe in the BIBLE. Maybe you should read it. Believe in GOD, that is the problem we are having in our country are people like you, who can not stand the truth. If you don't like Romney's plan move to another country and be an actress there. Retired military...
God has nothing to do with this. Me personally don't believe in this but this is a women choice not Romney. If the want to aboard there child I will leave that up to GOD when they go to the golden gates . Not Romney, wants to control a women body. This is Freedom. All of the bible talk must stop............you are not the JUDDE , GOD will judge at the end of the day. Romney talking about less Gov., but he wants to tell women what to do. This is BS and you know it. Romney just want the Power to move his believes to the country. Beware of this. Romney is not the one. He lies and lies and see what will go well with the people and if you believe that than you are not thinking . We have seen him in action for the last 2 years how he change positions why would you want someone like that in the office. Romney is all about Romney as one of his Morman friends said, if he is elected it would be like kingdom on earth. Now think about that one !
the cutest thing about this is they actually think people care what they have to say and what their political views are....SO, SO CUTE. Just say your lines and act like eye candy cause that's about all Eva and Scarrlet are worth.
It stopped being " your own body" when you decided to have unprotected sex and got pregnant.
I don't understand how a party whose platform is "Less Government" can push this hypocritical agenda! Leave womens uteri alone! We know best what's right for ourselves & our families, not a bunch of old, rigid men who've never had to deal w/a womans issues! They want to repeal Roe v. Wade, what's next? Repealing of separation of church & state!? They seem to be going in that direction w/the "redefinition" of rape & Ryans "personhood" proposal, which will make any & all birthcontrol illegal! This is the wrong direction to take our country, because it's backward, not forward! I'm going Forward w/Obama Nov 6!!
roro - If you want to cut down on the number of abortions, then contraceptives should be readily available.
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What country or planet are you living on? In the USA contraceptives are everywhere. Free condoms in bowls in the middle schools! Maybe we should pass a law that all bottles of alcohol should come with condoms?
If women cannot use contraceptives, then men should not be able to use Viagra.
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I really don't think it is all the old guys getting all the young women pregnant!! But who knows? Times they are a changin'!
truth is, truth hurts, what you bring up is called a DEFLECTION, a non-germane made-up controversy that you present to attempt to benefit your losing side of the argument. Truth is, the fetus is part of the WOMAN'S body, and the ability of her and her mate to make the best decision for THEM should not be interfered with by the government, especially when that interference is motivated by a monority's narrow sense of morality. The relationship between the woman and her mate is ALSO one of extreme privacy, and should be unfettered by a strong-handed government. Next thing you know, you'll be wanting everyone forced to follow in lockstep your government-generated 5-year economic plans, OR ELSE! Perhaps, you should spend more time in the REAL world, than in the malignant fairytale peddled by rightwing media lords.
If someone wants to have an abortion it's fine by me. None of my business.
Roe v. Wade 410 US 113, (1973)
I don't know why the censors won't let me post the relavant case. ALL the arguments for/against have been heard 30 years ago.
Okay men and women no choicers......what rights will a man give up in return for you taking control over my bodily functions because of YOUR beliefs
Just more Hollywierds running their mouths when no one is listening.
Scarlett is a physically beautiful woman. However, let's get real here. They really only care about having the right to kill fetuses/babies. If the abortion rights agenda could push for abortion at nine months and partial-birth abortion, they would go for it in a heartbeat. Nevermind the rights of the unborn woman! This is really (over 90% of the time) an issue of convenience. Just throw out the fetuses/babies because they are unwanted and will crimp your style.
And why is it that these actresses think that what they think or have to say is of any importance to the average American?
These actresses whose IQ is in the single digit area are going to take it upon themselves to tell the American People who they should be voting for...wow...the audacity of these women is really unsurpassed...
Let me see...I'm voting for Romney...but Eva Longoria and her pals think I should vote for Obama...well...not going to happen...ROMNEY/RYAN 2012
I am so tired of Hollywood actresses telling me what to think. I believe in woman's right to chose. No one is going to take aboration away. Nice way of trying to scare women but we are too smart. Is this the best you can come up with. Obama has destroyed this country. Time to vote him out before he completely destroys it.
the problem i have with romney/ryan's position on this is that it is unjust for a woman to have
to prove she was raped or the victimn of incest. That takes this to a completely different level.
If a woman can be charged with murder unless she proves she has been raped or the vicitim of
incest in my opinion that is not the way to go. Also any family member who helped her, any friend
who helped–let's say drove her to an appt. can be charged as an accessory. Debate Roe v. Wade
all you want but Akin, Ryan and romney are going way too far on this. My vote will go to Obama.
Biden had it right. No one wants abortion but to impose our beliefs on the rest of the women in this country
without them having any say whatsoever is just plain wrong and i won't vote for it. Same as GOP taking
away the right for workers to sit at a bargaining table, same as letting the rich use carried interest to protect
their investments–it goes on and on-for me the GOP has gone too far. I am glad this commercial was made.
people really need to know what romney will not tell them.
because Eva Longoria is such a great role model.
Shut up and act....your job is to entertain us, not "inform" us.....we do not care what your opinion is...
Attention All One Issue Voters Roe V Wade Was Based On A Big Fat Lie. Roe Was Never Raped