"Washington, DC -- The Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF) today unveiled two new television ads educating voters on the presidential candidates' positions on choice, family planning and sex education. The ads are the centerpiece of a $10 million issue advocacy campaign the pro-choice organization will wage in key battleground states leading up to the election.

'George W. Bush's support for a ban on abortion and a gag rule on family planning proves he does not trust women to make their own choices,' said Gloria Feldt, President of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

This effort marks the first time Planned Parenthood has ever engaged in presidential politics. 'In our eighty-four year history, no election has been so critical to women's rights and health,' said Feldt. 'Bush is willing to appoint anti-choice Supreme Court Justices, and Roe v. Wade was last upheld by just one vote. Planned Parenthood is a voice women trust, and this election is too important to remain silent.'

In the first ad unveiled today, four Republican women express concern about Bush's position on choice, family planning, and sex education. The ad targets the block of moderate Independent and Republican women voters many believe will be the deciding factor in the outcome of the election.

The second ad focuses on Bush's support for a gag rule on family planning. 'This gag rule would let the government limit what doctors could tell their patients,' said Feldt. 'Planned Parenthood sees more than 4 million patients per year, and when their health care and their rights are at stake, we will speak out.'

The ads are the first in a series that will run October 3rd through October 22nd in seven key battleground states: Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Planned Parenthood will spend more than $7 million on the television ads in selected markets in these states.

The remainder of the funds will be spent on grassroots activities. PPAF announced it will reach 2.2 million households through voter guides and phone banks. In addition to PPAF's $10 million national campaign, state and local action funds in 46 states are involved in more than 700 races nationwide. Planned Parenthood action funds in California alone will spend an additional $1 million to educate voters in that state about federal, state and local races" (PPAF Press Release, September 28, 2000).

Several Planned Parenthood Action Fund presidential ads have been "cycled in." For more, click on the Action Fund website.