Abortion Group Launches Robocall Attack On Obama In Indiana

The anti-choice group National Right to Life has launched a series of robocalls urging people in Indiana to "vote against Barack Obama" in Tuesday's primary. Here's the script of the call (or listen to audio):

Hello, this is National Right to Life PAC, asking you to vote against Barack Obama in tomorrow's primary election.

Barack Obama has said that his first act as President would be to sign the Freedom of Choice Act, which would enshrine abortion on demand into federal law and would require tax funding of abortion. This bill would legalize partial birth abortion again.

Barack Obama even voted against saving the lives of babies who survive late term abortion.

You can vote in either party's primary. If you vote in the Democratic primary, please do not vote for Barack Obama.

Obama supporter and former Rep. Tim Roemer, an opponent of abortion rights, released a statement on the calls -- you can read it below. Also, as Politico's Ben Smith notes, Indiana has extremely strict anti-robocall laws, so these calls (apparently the first of their kind from any group in the state this cycle) may very well be illegal.

Statement from Former Congressman Tim Roemer on Robocalls from National Right to Life

INDIANAPOLIS -- Former Congressman Tim Roemer released the following statement this evening in response to the automated calls that Hoosiers are receiving from National Right to Life:

"As a pro-life Catholic Democrat, one of the main reasons I endorsed Barack Obama is because he approaches issues from a non-ideological standpoint, and on issues like abortion, he deeply respects the views of folks on the other side of the argument. He believes that if we focus on what unites us, we can accomplish more than we ever will by retreating into our corners and shouting each other.

"National Right to Life is running these calls because they know that Senator Clinton will be the easier Democrat to run against in the general election--and this is their way of giving her a helping hand in this tough primary battle.

"Senator Obama and Senator Clinton have virtually identical records on the abortion issue. I want Hoosiers to be absolutely clear: These calls we're getting are nothing more than a ploy. Folks who are going to vote in the Democratic primary tomorrow know that we need real change in Washington."

Comments

[NewtC]

This year there is more at stake than just the presidency. We have the unprecedented opportunity to fire Bush-policy rubber-stamping & obstructionist Republicans in the U.S. Senate and replace them with Democrats who can get us out of Iraq, enact true election reform, and get big business out of our government. We might even get a handle on health care, equal rights and immigration issues on the way. Many Republicans are so uninspired by McSame that they"ll just sit out the vote entirely. Meanwhile, new voters motivated by Obama can help us elect 10-15 new Democrats in the Senate. Unless Hillary is still running, of course. She"ll bring out the conservative base again. They'll vote in droves to ensure she doesn't win the Presidency, especially during a time of war. Clearly, Clinton herself is the Republicans' best GOTV tactic, even more so than their anti-gay and anti-choice strategies that have spurred their followers to vote in the past. While at the polls, they"ll also vote for all those obstructionist Repugnant Senators we"d like to fire. Compare that to the millions of new voters that will be at the polls if Obama wins the Dem nomination. That"s gotta be scaring the financial interests that back people like Bush, McSame, Clinton and the Senators who keep giving tax breaks to the super rich and voting to "Stay the Course" in a war without end.

[Insideout143]

If Obama doesn't take the presidency, the new 'activists' will be in the streets.. their voices will not be quieted.

If Obama does take the presidency, the new 'activists' will be in the streets... their voices will not be quieted.

Here's the choice. Do you want activists who are mad as hell, or thrilled to be part of the change that WILL happen either way?

[katzooks]

An NPR link on last week's Clinton-based robocalls in North Carolina:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90114863

[katzooks]

The Clintons, the Republicans: You say tomato, I say tom-ah-to.

Both the Clinton and the Republican camps employ these twelth-hour robocalls to incite voter fear and/or confusion. It's an unethical practice, illegal in many states.

The problem is, once the damage from these robocalls is done, it's done. The result is that confused voters (re: last-weeks Clinton-based North Carolina robocalls) question their right to vote, while scared voters (re: the Republicans Indiana abortion fearmongering robocalls) squak to the polls, "The sky's falling! The sky's falling"

It's dirty politics, no matter how you slice it. But, really, do you expect any different from the Clintons and the Republicans?

[Zhonni]

I am sick and tired of these ignorant people who allow themselves to be used every election year, by Republicans, for political gain.

This is the Hillary supporters masquerading as some other group to make Obama look bad but HEY DUMB-DUMBS HILLARY HAS THE SAME POSITION!!!

If they were serious they would be against both. What is that female group Emily's list? They accused Obama of not being strong enough on abortion NOW, it is Obama is too much into the Obama camp.

These FOOLS sicken me. Enough of this drama already.

[Zhonni]

I meant,"...too much into the Abortion camp."

[littlepuffycloud]

Poor Chelsea Clinton

[Cil]

I don't know if you folks are aware of this but here goes, and good luck "My Baracks"

These "Robocall" groups are organized according to some kind of "527" umbrella.
They are almost untouchable, and guess what? They can all be traced back to the Clinton Camp. At least two of the group worked for Bill Clinton in his Presidency, one was his ......Senior Campaign Advisor...., and one was a... strong pollster...... This group was responsible for sending thousands of false mailings, and making thousands of false phone calls. False info was sent to Blacks and Single Women!!!!! If I am not mistaken the FEC got involved in this issue in April. One such phone call ended up erroneously to a Middle Aged White Guy, by the name of Farmer. The group was also dispatching e-mails on a Methodical basis to a list of Hi Profile Opinion Shapers. I doubt that the voters in Indiana and North Carolina realized just how false this info was. Clinton's advisor Blumenthal was also party to this mis-information.

You may still be able to find something on this earlier issue, by ........google....."North Carolina Robocalls Giving False Info To Blacks"......I find googling easier than trying to find websites.

google this as well......"American Leadership Project"... (Some of this info may have been deleted, but there is no harm in trying). ..............google...."Guam Pacific News Center"......... or try...... google.... "Guam Caucus Drama Continues".

[lthuedk 1]

We do recall that characteristic and deadly hypocrisy common to Republicans:

http://www.light-to-dark.com/schiavo.html

1.2 million innocent Iraqis and over 4000 American troops are dead...DEAD...my dear "right to lifers." You can't parse your philosophy without losing your argument.

[FlowerGirl]

Pro-life? Why attack Obama? He shows more understanding of their position than does Clinton! She is pro-choice and as far as I know, has never discussed the merits of those onthe opposite side.
I think this is merely another Republican attack on the stronger Democrat in hopes of helping hopeless Hillary.

[Nyla785]

I wish the media would start exposing these ProLifers for what they are--proponents of setting up a fastrack to making the United States a Third World Nation. Jobs go overseas..layoffs are continuous and often multiple...can't afford the gas to get to work...food prices going up...healthcare out of sight with one party only offering 'tax credits' on what you can't afford in the FIRST place!...increased household debt and people not being able to save...just HOW are we supposed to support these additional children?? Or is this another one of those Republican 'deny any facts that don't fit the ideology' things?

[atila]

desperation and dishonesty from the clintons campaign,what a shock....

[vincealy]

Interesting that while both candidates have the same position on abortion the calls target Obama Has the stench of a Clinton dirty trick

[Manni]

This is all Clinton's fault... that our Messiah Obama Hussain is being tarnished!

[soundfury]

Glad you think so highly of him, and by the way the name is spelled Hussein. The name Barack means "blessed" and Hussein means "good lookin" = Blessed, good-looking Obama!

RIGHT ON BOTH COUNTS!

Get that hate out of your system and beat up on yourself for a change!

[Manni]

So..this is about America's Baby throwing ritual?

[soundfury]

No, it's more like, don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

When you know you can't get everything you're little mind desires, then take the larger good that has the least amount of bad....that would be Barack Obama, whether we're looking to McCain or Hillary as well.

[wwja]

I'll take this three ways.

1. They have accepted that Obama is our nominee.

2. They are not smart enough to target both of the democrats.

3. Hilary has now convinced everyone she is a republican so they just don't even bother.