In the 2014 fight for control of Congress, Democrats are sometimes using a tactic they’ve used before: Falsifying or exaggerating the positions their Republican opponents have taken on abortion.
Abortion Distortions 2014
Issues: abortion
A Fight Over Birth Control in Colorado
A major issue in the Colorado Senate race has been a state ballot initiative on “personhood” and what it could mean for common forms of birth control, including the pill. Neither side is quite telling the whole story.
More Mississippi Mud
A super PAC backing Sen. Thad Cochran in the Mississippi GOP primary falsely claims state Sen. Chris McDaniel has “the worst attendance record in the state Senate,” and exaggerates the importance of votes he missed.
Abortion Attack Goes Too Far in Montana
A TV ad in Montana says Rep. Steve Daines — who opposes abortion rights — “proposed making women criminals for having an abortion.” But the bill that the ad cites expressly bars “the prosecution of any woman for the death of her unborn child.”
Abortion Distortion in Mississippi Primary
The Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Mississippi has what the Mississippi Right to Life calls “two really good pro-life candidates.” Yet, the candidates are engaged in a spirited — and deceptive — fight over abortion.
Misleading Abortion Attack in Michigan
A TV ad in a Michigan primary says Republican Rep. Justin Amash “voted to allow gender-selection abortions.” But the ad ignores Amash’s anti-abortion position and his reasons for voting against this particular bill.
Christie ‘Strains’ the Facts
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was wrong when he claimed in a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference that no “pro-life Democrat” has ever been allowed to speak at a Democratic National Convention.
Miscasting McAuliffe’s Abortion Stance
An ad from a conservative super PAC claims without evidence that “Terry McAuliffe supports abortion on demand at any time for any reason — paid for by Virginia taxpayers.”
Stretching Cuccinelli’s Record
Two ads attacking Republican Virginia gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli go too far.
The Final Attack Ads
Both sides in the presidential race are making one last push for votes with false and distorted claims on television, radio and even in text messages:
A liberal super PAC’s radio ad in Ohio twists Mitt Romney’s words by having him say six times: “I’m not concerned about the very poor.” He actually said: “I’m not concerned about the very poor; we have a safety net there. If it needs repair, I’ll fix it.”
A conservative super PAC falsely claims in a TV ad that President Obama’s health care law “creates an unaccountable new board that can cut Medicare benefits with no notice —