Third Time The Charm?
The CBS News Political Unit is tracking the latest campaign commercials. Jane Ruvelson analyzes a new ad from abortion rights supporters against GOP presidential hopeful George W. Bush.
The Ad: The National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) has launched its third anti-Bush TV ad of Campaign 2000. Presidential Power will air in the Washington, D.C area.
Audio: The next president will have the power to take away a woman's freedom to choose. George W. Bush said, "I'll do everything in my power to restrict abortions." George W. Bush would nominate Supreme Court Justices who would overturn Roe vs. Wade. He even supports a constitutional amendment to outlaw abortion. And in Texas, Bush actually opposed laws to protect women from violence at health clinics. But remember, it's your choice. Protect the right to choose.
Visual: Images of the Supreme Court are interspersed with a photograph of Bush and key text from the ad's audio. The spot closes with pictures of women of various ethnic groups and ages.
Fact Check: No inaccuracies, but some one-sidedness shines through. For example, Bush backs a proposed constitutional amendment to ban abortion, but won't push for its passage, saying the country isn't ready for it. Also, the reason Bush said he opposed the measure meant to crack down on health clinic violence was because he felt such protections were already provided by federal law, making a state law redundant.
The Strategy: Presidential Power is NARAL's third attempt to convince abortion rights supporters that Bush will take away those rights. Once again, NARAL warns Bush might upset the balance in the Supreme Court by appointing justices who would overturn of Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that legalized abortion.
By releasing Presidential Power only in the Washington, D.C. area, NARAL seeks to influence the echo chamber of the Beltway pols and media.
NARAL asserts Bush is beholden to religious conservatives, who will force him to appoint staunchly anti-abortion justices to the Court. Bush does have close ties with a number of conservatives, including Ralph Reed and Pat Robertson, both of whom were influential in the Texas governor's GOP primary successes. But Bush has consistently stated he won't use abortion as a litmus test to select a running mate or other federal officials, including judicial nominees.