Obama Ad: McCain Will Outlaw Abortion

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Advertising

The campaign of Barack Obama has released a radio ad suggesting that rival John McCain "will make abortion illegal" if elected.

Ben Smith reports that the spot is airing "widely in at least seven swing states," including Florida, Virginia, Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin and Colorado.

"As a nurse practitioner with Planned Parenthood, I know that abortion is one of the most difficult decision a woman will ever make," a says woman in the minute-long spot. "Let me tell you: If Roe vs. Wade is overturned, the lives and health of women will be put at risk. That's why this election is so important. John McCain's out of touch with women today. McCain wants to take away our right to choose. That's what women need to understand. That's how high the stakes are."

"As president, John McCain will make abortion illegal," an announcer says. "McCain says, quote, I do not support Roe Vs. Wade. It should be overturned." Listeners then hear a sound bite of McCain on "Meet The Press" in which the soon-to-be GOP nominee says he backs "a constitutional amendment to ban all abortions."

"We can't let John McCain take away our right to choose," the announcer concludes. "We can't let him take us back."

Click here to listen to the ad.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
Follow on Twitter »

24 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment

See all 24 Comments


by hateweary September 5, 2008 6:00 PM EDT: Roe/Wade will be overturned when we (the US) go back to blacks and women not being allowed to vote. You love your scare tactics more than the truth. I''ll share something really scary (according to Siobama): "ENOUGH OF USING RELIGION TO PUT WOMEN IN JAIL." (Can you give me a specific example of this?... ''cause if we''ve had ENOUGH, then surely there must be several examples, right? (Liberals don''t have to have facts... just hysteria... Chill out, your neck veins are showing!)
"ENOUGH OF USING RELIGION TO THROW STONES TO THOSE WHO DO NOT AGREE WITH US."
And then the classic (And try to connect this sentence to their previous comment...), "True religious people will vote for DEMOCRATS ALL THE WAY!!" (This is the typical hipocritical hysteria that scares the stuff out of me) I''m religious and I''m voting Republican... Ouch! Quit throwing stones at me for thinking differently than you!
Thanks! Peace be with you.; Reply to this comment


by kate1149 September 5, 2008 2:18 PM EDT: McCain can and will overturn Roe v Wade. He can do it by supporting a constitutional amendment or he can appoint Supreme Court Justices who will vote on cases that are submitted which would in effect reverse Roe v Wade. He picked Palin - her major campaign issue has been overturning Roe v Wade. Why is it that Republicans don''t even want to believe their own candidates words? Both McCain and Palin say they want to make abortion murder! They want to prosecute women and doctors! This is the stance they have taken on this issue in order to garner support from their base - but they want the voting public to believe that they don''t really mean it? Hypocrites!! Don''t let these right wing nut jobs set woman back 50 years. Woman will not go back to back alley abortions and someone else telling them what to do with their bodies and their reproductive decisions. Vote Obama/Biden and protect a woman''s right to choose for herself.; Reply to this comment


by obungler September 5, 2008 5:10 AM EDT: Frankly I think there are a whole lot of women in the US that are PRO-BABY than are PRO-ABORTION! And this becomes a moot issue fast.; Reply to this comment


by obungler September 5, 2008 5:07 AM EDT: John McCain cannot make abortion illegal! There are no laws in the United states that even MAKE it legal! There was a case regarding DUE PROCESS that was awarded to one woman! And and it was made case LAW!

This topic has been used for over 30 years by DEMOCRATS and REPUBLICANS as an election year talking point for 30 something years!

It ain''t gonna happen! They know women will RIOT!; Reply to this comment


by seah5 September 4, 2008 10:54 PM EDT: Obama has been running on scare tactics his whole campaign.

Causing fear in peoples lives so they will vote for him.

The people in Chicago are still waiting for the promises he made to them.

When Obama Climbed up on his high horse and said he was the only one who could help you. Everyone should of realized them he was playing them.; Reply to this comment


by ariel133 September 4, 2008 2:07 PM EDT: The liberals are reaching and are sore losers- their responses will pale in comparisoon to the Republicans intelligent responses- Roe vs Wade is not on top of the agenda- will not be overturned in 4 years- lets move on to issues that matter- like: economy ( Obama will RAISE your taxes) Environment ( Obama does not want to DRILL) War- (Obama wants to retreat-) Change ( Obama will change this country into a sad socaialistic disaster) mmm..which do you prefer? There is no contest.; Reply to this comment


by jeremiah305 September 4, 2008 12:04 PM EDT: "A constitutional amendment to ban all abortions," asks Tim Russert. "You''re for that?"

"Yes, sir," says McCain.

John McCain can''t unsay this one. Tim Russert is dead. McCain is screwed.; Reply to this comment


by jeremiah305 September 4, 2008 12:03 PM EDT: "A constitutional amendment to ban all abortions," asks Tim Russert. "You''re for that?"

"Yes, sir," says McCain.

John McCain can''t unsay this one. Tim Russert is dead. McCain is screwed.; Reply to this comment


by siobama September 4, 2008 7:15 AM EDT: to NittiNana,
You are a bit mistaken. The Congress can send anything they want to the Presidential table and the President has the right to veto it until the end of days or to stop it until he decides. It is very difficult to have a 2/3 congress, especially on the first term. We need a president that will not allow republicans to do their terrible agenda. And we need a government that will not be as corrupt as the one we had for the past 8 years. This time we need both a Congress and a President on the same side. And it cannot be a Republican government...please.; Reply to this comment


by siobama September 4, 2008 7:11 AM EDT: to NittiNana,
You are a bit mistaken. The Congress can send anything they want to the Presidential table and the President has the right to veto it until the end of days or to stop it until he decides. It is very difficult to have a 2/3 congress, especially on the first term. We need a president that will not allow republicans to do their terrible agenda. And we need a government that will not be as corrupt as the one we had for the past 8 years. This time we need both a Congress and a President on the same side. And it cannot be a Republican government...please.; Reply to this comment