WASHINGTON, D.C., August 12, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Earlier this week Pro-choice America (NARAL) released a controversial ad linking Judge John Roberts with what the ad called anti-abortion “violent fringe groups” and specifically a 1998 abortion clinic bombing. The announcer concluded the ad urging viewers to ask their senators to oppose the confirmation of judge Roberts, saying “America can’t afford a Justice whose ideology leads him to excuse violence against other Americans.”
The ad was subjected to an in depth analysis by Factcheck.org, which proclaimed its content at best misleading, and at worst completely false. It was immediately denounced by numerous Republicans and conservatives for taking enormous liberties with the facts.
“This ad grossly distorts the record of John Roberts from start to finish,” senator Orin Hatch was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. “It has only one goal: to associate John Roberts with violent extremists.”
Republican Senator Specter, widely known for his pro-abortion stance, called the ad “blatantly untrue” saying “the NARAL advertisement is not helpful to the pro-choice cause which I support.”
NARAL has since announced its intention to pull the ad, although it will continue to run for a day or two more. President Nancy Keenan refused, however, to apologize for the inflammatory accusations that her organization levelled at Roberts, instead placing the blame for the furor surrounding the ad on viewers’ subjective perceptions. “We regret that many people have misconstrued our recent advertisement about Mr. Roberts’ record,” said Keenan. “Unfortunately, the debate over that advertisement has become a distraction from the serious discussion we hoped to have with the American public.”
She indicated that NARAL would be releasing a new advertisement to replace the one that has been withdrawn from the airwaves.
See related stories:
NARAL Airs Ad Falsely Accusing Judge John Roberts of Supporting Abortion Clinic Bombings https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/aug/05081001.html
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