I'm Not Endorsing, But Vote For Him Anyway

On his latest Focus on the Family Action radio broadcast, evangelical leader James Dobson says, "While I will not endorse either candidate this year...I can say that I am now supportive of Senator John McCain and his bid for the presidency."

With Dobson's definition of "supportive," who needs an endorsement? Dobson was reading from his October newsletter, which goes out to millions and lays out his reasons for supporting McCain and, even more vigorously, opposing Obama. Also on the radio recently, Dobson said, "I want our listeners to know that I have never, never been so concerned about the state of our nation," pointing to the willingness of many voters to elect "a leader, Barack Obama, who supports and will promote the most radical and unconscionable forms of abortion and policies that will result in many, many more babies dying."

Before that, Dobson dedicated another broadcast to talking with two women behind Born Alive Truth, a new 527 airing anti-Obama TV ads. Focus on the Family Action itself recently spent $112,000 airing a radio version of the ad in stations across Colorado. Now that's "supportive."

The abortion issue is at the top of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund's agenda as well, but the group has so far kept the debate out if its ads, even as it attacks McCain and running mate Sarah Palin.

Planned Parenthood's newest ad (below) focuses instead on the group's own study ripping apart McCain's health care plan. Airing in the Washington D.C. market, which covers Obama-friendly Northern Virginia, it features a nurse calling the McCain plan "bad medicine." And yes, Planned Parenthood did endorse Obama.

-- Will Evans

10:10 PM ET | 10-27-2008 | permalink

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Planned Parenthood Depicts Palin As "Heartless"

Taking aim squarely at liberal women who might find GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's candidacy appealing, Planned Parenthood Action Fund's new ad portrays Palin and John McCain as insensitive to rape victims.

The ad starts with a rape victim telling her story, then switches to the policy employed in Wasilla, AK, when Palin was mayor: Women who had been assaulted had to pay for their own rape examinations. Factcheck.org says that while Wasilla did indeed charge victims, it's not clear whether Palin is responsible.

The ad uses a less-than-flattering photo of Palin. It also faults McCain -- portrayed with a smugly sinister smile -- for voting against the Violence Against Women Act. Then the rape victim says, "That is something, to me, that's unthinkable. It scares me to death." It's not clear whether she's referring to McCain's vote, Palin's policy or rape itself.

The ad is scheduled to run in the swing states of Missouri, Wisconsin and, to reach Northern Virginia's women voters as well as the Washington press corps, Washington D.C.

-- Will Evans

2:10 PM ET | 10- 1-2008 | permalink

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SEIU, Planned Parenthood Come To Obama's Aid

The McCain-Palin ticket advances. Obama-Biden starts slipping. Enter Obama's outside helpers...

Helper #1:

The Service Employees International Union, an incredibly politically connected and active union, announced a $2 million ad buy in swing states against McCain.

The ad hammers McCain on the economy, using a quote of him saying "I know a lot less about economics." Then it shows Obama touting his plan to cut taxes for middle class families.

The ad is clearly meant to counter the fact that, according to polls, many people who would get tax breaks under Obama's plan tend to believe he will raise their taxes. It will run in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Mexico, Iowa and Wisconsin.

Helper #2:

Planned Parenthood Action Fund took it upon itself to defend Obama against a recent McCain attack ad claiming that the Democrat's only education-related accomplishment was a bill to teach sex education to kindergardners. The McCain ad was debunked by FactCheck.org.

Planned Parenthood's response ad points out that the sex education bill aimed to help kids avoid molestation by teaching them about inappropriate touching. The ad then poses the question: Is McCain "just another politician who will say anything to get elected?" (It's rhetorical.)

A spokesperson for the group says the ad (below) is running in Pittsburgh and Denver -- and will keep running as long as the McCain ad is on the air.

-- Will Evans

4:38 PM ET | 09-15-2008 | permalink

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Planned Parenthood Airs Anti-McCain Ad

Planned Parenthood Action Fund airs and ad that shows McCain trying to answer a question about whether health insurance companies should cover birth control. The ad ran in Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico and Wisconsin.

9:46 AM ET | 07-16-2008 | permalink

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