The Planned Parenthood Action Fund is the political and advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America: We work in the streets, in the states, and in Washington, DC to advance women's health.

Momentum Building for Midterm Elections:
Americans Support Prevention Programs
And Women's Health and Safety

Planned Parenthood Action Fund President Cecile Richards
Announces Strategy for Success

After six years of anti-choice politicians' stunning interference in families' private health care decisions, political momentum is building in favor of women's access to reproductive health care.

The nation is shifting toward a common-sense, pro-choice, pro-prevention framework that protects women's health and safety. Planned Parenthood applauds national party leaders who are changing their strategy in key states, and putting forward a pro-health care agenda. We are heartened that pro-choice politicians are pulling away from hardliners as they move closer to Election Day. And a pro-choice groundswell continues to build in the battleground state of South Dakota, where proponents of a sweeping abortion ban are facing an electorate that knows the anti-abortion hardliners have gone too far.

Voters in key heartland states are getting the message about where candidates stand on common-sense issues like support for women's health and safety. In Ohio, anti-choice candidate Ken Blackwell (R), who said he would sign an abortion ban even more extreme than the one in South Dakota, trails pro-choice candidate Ted Strickland (D). In Wisconsin, pro-choice Gov. Jim Doyle (D) is running against Mark Green (R), who opposes providing emergency contraception to rape survivors. Doyle is the one thing standing between women's health and safety and a total abortion ban. This year Doyle vetoed seven anti-choice bills this legislative session, including a law that would have allowed concealed weapons into family planning clinics. Michigan's gubernatorial candidate, Dick DeVos (R), is trailing pro-choice Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) and running scared from his extreme views: in a televised debate, he insisted he would do nothing to change the state's current abortion law — and yet the very next day said on a Catholic radio show that he supports a South Dakota-style ban.

Planned Parenthood's efforts have been key to getting out the message about differences between the candidates. With the momentum building, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund is poised to capitalize on this pivotal moment in our country's history. Action Fund President Cecile Richards is announcing a five-point strategy to harness the momentum and advance an agenda that ensures the health and safety of women and families:

"First — We have to make it clear what we are for, not just what we are against.

"Six years of battling an aggressive anti-choice movement with powerful allies in every branch of government, including the White House, have resulted in pro-choice activists spending more time telling the American people what we're against instead of what we're for.

"Starting today, we will help America understand the good that can be achieved if the country acts to prevent unintended pregnancy and protect access to abortion.

"Second — Planned Parenthood will play offense, not defense, in exposing anti-choice groups and their political sponsors and making them explain their indefensible anti-family planning positions.

"Third — We have to communicate common-sense values to the entire nation.

"When it comes to generating political support, the pro-choice movement has too often surrendered America's heartland as difficult terrain. Planned Parenthood delivers health services in the bluest of blue states and the reddest of red ones. Americans of all political views rely on Planned Parenthood to keep them safe and healthy. Our daily experience in communities nationwide tells us that women in all 50 states have common experiences and shared values.

"Fourth — We're striking a new deal between the pro-choice movement and legislators and policymakers.

"We will confidently demand extraordinary acts of courage from our leaders to support women's health and safety. We will concentrate our nationwide strength and that of our supporters so that there will be no question that standing up for women's health and safety is the right thing to do.

"Fifth — We will use the courts to broadcast our message.

"Our best legal minds will continue to argue before the courts in favor of the right to access reproductive health care. Some of our most compelling victories unfold in these chambers — and we want the public to be aware of them. Three federal courts have dismissed congressional attempts to enact a dangerous federal abortion ban — a case that comes to the Supreme Court (Gonzales v. Planned Parenthood) on November 8, the day after Election Day.

"In summary," Richards said, "we are committed to removing the barriers standing between women and their freedom — a world where women, at long last, have access to all the options they need to protect their health and realize their dreams. It won't be easy, but with imagination and tenacity, such a world is within our reach. The nationwide momentum building toward Election Day is the first concrete step in this direction."

For more information about the Planned Parenthood Action Fund click here.