RNC Uses Obama Abortion Votes in New Ad

by Scott Swenson, RH Reality Check

May 11, 2008 - 9:43pm (Print)

The Republican National Committee has released a new ad asking if they can ask several questions of Sen. Barack Obama, then intoning with cheering crowds chanting "Yes We Can." The first question in the :30 second spot for television is "Why did he vote 'present' 130 times avoiding decisions on abortion, crime and guns?" The votes in question were from his tenure in the Illinois State Legislature.

But the words "abortion, crime and guns" only appear in text on the screen, the voice over does not speak the words "abortion, crime or guns," only asks why he didn't vote yes or no.

On the 1:23 viral version on You Tube, the announcer uses the words "abortion, crime and guns," underscoring these hot button social conservative issues.

That viral version is intended for distribution online to rev up the social conservative base, while the television ad, which more moderates and independents will see, de-emphasizes controversial social issues, making it seem more like the question is about missing votes.

Dana Goldstein has a great piece on the "present" votes dealing with reproductive health issues here.

See the Obama, McCain and Clinton RH Questionnaires on our site, and all of our Election 2008 coverage.

And here is a flash of cyber-politics working in 2008, a mash-up of that same RNC ad with a variety of still shots set to a JFK speech from his 1960 campaign. This version uses the same title and search words to confuse viewers and get them to listen to a different message while on You Tube.

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2 comments

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Michael Ejercito Anti-Abortion May 12, 2008 - 11:13am

This would actually be effective in some areas like Pennsylvania, which has a huge pro-life constituency.

Obama orchestrated the defeat of Illinois's Induced Infants Liability Act. This would not provide incentives for Pennsylvanians to vote for him:

http://www.stentorian.com/cartoons/infanticide.gif

Scott Swenson Not sure that's the issue for most people ... May 12, 2008 - 2:18pm

I certainly understand that a few people are purely single issue voters, but that number is dwindling fast as the results of thinking that way for too long (gas and food prices, economic peril, US image in the world, two wars, crumbling infrastructure, etc) are now so problematic. At some point we do have to pay attention to the business of government and trust the American people to make the best personal and medical decisions for themselves and their families, right Michael? And Michael, where are you on the issue of contraception? At least the anti-choice Dems that are winning in long-held GOP seats in Louisiana, and perhaps Mississippi tomorrow, see contraception as a way to prevent unintended pregnancy. Do you?

Be the change you seek,

Scott Swenson, Editor