Planned Parenthood jumps into the election fray

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Dollar SignOnly twice before has Planned Parenthood supported a presidential candidate over another, but this year the contrast between the two candidates has inspired it to make its third-ever exception.


The non-profit is very happy with the support it has received from President Barack Obama, and on the flip side, it sees nothing less than an existential threat in the event of a Mitt Romney presidency, given his pledge to “get rid” of the organization.

It is dropping $1.4M into television and cable in three swing districts – West Palm Beach FL, Des Moines IA and Northern Virginia. The latter target area naturally brings Washington DC into the mix, since its broadcast stations are the way to get to residents of that area.

“The stakes for women have never been higher than they are in this election and the contrast between President Obama and Mitt Romney could not be starker,” said the organization in a statement. “That’s why Planned Parenthood Action Fund is stepping up in 2012 to play a bigger role than it ever has before in the elections.”

The current advertising flight is said to be just the beginning.

“There is no greater champion for women’s health than President Obama and Planned Parenthood Action Fund couldn’t be prouder to endorse his re-election as president today,” said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund. “The contrast with Mitt Romney couldn’t be starker. Planned Parenthood Action Fund is committed to ensuring that voters know how wrong Mitt Romney is for women – in his own words.”

Richards added, “The attack on women’s health over the past 18 months have been unprecedented, and as a result, a network of more than 6 million supporters – a network that has grown by 1.5 million people in the past year alone – is standing ready to fight for women’s health. Unlike President Obama, what Mitt Romney doesn’t seem to understand is that women’s health issues are economic issues for women and families. The fact that Mitt Romney doesn’t understand that shows just how out of touch and wrong for women he really is.”