Media

‘No Room for Even Slight Deviations’: Campbell Brown Slams Planned Parenthood on MSNBC

Here’s a pop quiz: Suppose you heard about an organization that was the subject of a news story on MSNBC, and was described by members of the mainstream media with these phrases:

“Almost no room for even slight deviations.”

“Sees ideological purity as so paramount that it permeates every aspect of its strategic planning.”

“Those who are not in lock step with the organization are viewed as enemies to the cause.”

“Willing to support only lawmakers who are with it 100% of the time.”

Who would you think the organization was? Probably someone on the Right, given the abundance of intolerant descriptors, and the fact that it was being covered on MSNBC, right? Well, prepare for a surprise, because these words were, in fact, not written about any remotely conservative organization. They were actually written about…are you sitting down? Planned Parenthood.

Yes, really. Apparently Brown, despite being avowedly pro-choice and supporting federal funding for Planned Parenthood, has a real problem with the organizations intolerant refusal to support or listen to anyone who disagrees with them. In an op-ed that reads as twice as scathing because of how disappointed, rather than angry, its tone is, Brown opines as follows:

 But most worrisome is the organization’s shrinking number of defenders, and Planned Parenthood has only itself to blame. It has adopted a strategy driven by blind partisanship, electing to burn bridges instead of building them. That strategy is damaging, and possibly imperiling, its mission.[...]

Planned Parenthood sees ideological purity as so paramount that it permeates every aspect of its strategic planning. There is almost no room for even slight deviations. Those who are not in lock step with the organization are viewed as enemies to the cause. This mind-set will doom Planned Parenthood to failure. When an organization is willing to support only lawmakers who are with it 100 percent of the time, it virtually guarantees that the debate will be bitterly partisan.[...]

Senator [Susan] Collins once had close ties to the group. Planned Parenthood endorsed her in 2002 because of her strong record of votes supporting abortion rights. Yet in her 2008 campaign, Planned Parenthood turned on her. The issue was her vote to confirm Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. to the Supreme Court. While the vote was a challenging one for Senator Collins, she says she came to it after speaking with Mr. Alito about his respect for precedent and whether he considered Roe v. Wade settled law. (Senator Collins has since also voted to confirm Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.) Ms. Collins was acting in the traditional (and admirable) spirit of the Senate, which tends to confirm judicial nominees unless the person is clearly unqualified.

Yet because of her Alito vote, Planned Parenthood tried to defeat her. In 2008 it withdrew its support and endorsed and provided money for her opponent. This was shortsighted from a policy standpoint, since Ms. Collins agreed with the organization on almost all legislation. But it was also unwise from a political standpoint, since she was favored to win re-election, and did.

Today Ms. Collins says she is still disappointed in the organization and how it cut ties to her. “Why should I try to make their case in the Republican caucus? I can’t answer my colleagues when they say to me that Planned Parenthood is just a political party, because it is true,” she told me. [...]

After losing such an important ally, you might think Planned Parenthood would have learned something.

Indeed you would, though apparently the organization has not, and Brown is not finished making her case that they should. She’s gone on the warpath, appearing on  MSNBC’s Morning Joe to explain just how many things the controversial, pro-abortion group has gotten wrong.

“They have not endorsed or given one cent to a single Republican who’s running,” Brown says. “And I just don’t think that makes sense, I mean politics is cyclical. Democrats are up; Republicans are up. To not have friends on the other side of the aisle is a mistake over the long haul when you’re relying on almost half of your funding to come from the government.”

Ironically enough, Brown contrasts Planned Parenthood’s supporters with supporters of gay rights and their fight to get gay marriage legalized in the state of New York. Considering that gay marriage is a far more recent controversy, which doesn’t even have an established Supreme Court precedent backing it up the way Planned Parenthood does, this is a truly devastating point to make about the group’s ossifying public relations strategy. Granted, getting Republican support in New York is probably different from getting it, say, in Alabama, but if supporters of gay rights can get New York Republicans on their side, then there‘s no reason Planned Parenthood shouldn’t be able to (in theory) get Northeastern Republicans generally to sign on with them, if they’re willing to make a few compromises. Which, according to Brown, they’re not.

There‘s also an entertaining moment when one of Brown’s copanelists points out that the Republican party has moved in a more pro-Life direction, which might explain Planned Parenthood’s unwillingness to work with them. Brown fires back, “You could argue, so has the country.” By implication, the GOP is moving right on abortion simply because it’s in touch with voter concerns. And by equal implication, Planned Parenthood is not.

We admit to being intrigued by the idea of a Planned Parenthood that backs Republicans, especially if those Republicans happen to be good on every other issue (much as former Senator Barry Goldwater was). What would happen to the ability to tell moderates from conservatives in that situation? If Planned Parenthood takes Campbell Brown’s advice, time may well tell.

Comments (49)

  • teddrunk
    Posted on July 19, 2012 at 7:44am

    In addition to destroying innocent life, PP also shields pedophiles and takes donation money to target killing a child based on race. Pro-abortion people never seem to have an answer for that fact. Are they also so deviant, they like children abused, and are they also so racist, they want, by their support, black people eradicated like bugs?

    Report Post »  
  • Jimmielynn
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 8:40pm

    So, and I guess I’m a little slow here, if Planned Parenthood has all this money to support all of these Democratic candidates, why the heck are they getting my tax dollars? They can use their political money to fund their abortions.

    Report Post »  
  • johneeUtah
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 1:12pm

    The issue is instantly framed when the term pro choice is used. the issue is not about the liberty of making a choice. The issue is regarding the legality of the abortion procedure. The spin free debate and the honest/truthful approach uses language that identifies and addresses the issue. Associating “pro-choice“ to the abortion issue is a coercive technique that elicits an emotional response of ”don’t you touch my liberty” and hides the issue being discussed via a verbal prestidigitation. On the other side the term pro-life does not do the same thing, the starting point is different, the pro life argument addressed the sanctity of human life and encompasses abortion, capital punishment and other related issues. However when discussing abortion, every one is quick to encamp and dig trenches (a very world war one style of engagement).

    The issue is the legitimacy of abortion as birth control. As a social norm Abortion destroys the fabric of society by debasing the value of human life to the convenience of a pet. Most commonly cited reason for not continuing with a pregnancy? It isn’t convenient right now.

    Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness: if you can’t the the first one right you will never, ever, see the next two.

    Report Post » johneeUtah  
    • The_Cabrito_Goat
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:01pm

      I only wish your post was longer. Nice job clarifying the premise and language, it helps

      Report Post » The_Cabrito_Goat  
    • KStret
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:36pm

      John,
      I agree with you. When abortion is framed as the sanctity of life vs a woman’s right to choose, the debate is rigged in favor of the pro abortion position. The left is constantly doing this and unfortunately conservatives often take the bait. They are doing the exact same thing with same sex marriage. They frame the issues as marriage equality vs. the sanctity of marriage.

      “The issue is regarding the legality of the abortion procedure. ”

      I think the issue is when a baby has person-hood rather than the legality of abortion. If you establish that a woman is pregnant with a baby, the legality of the issue becomes self evident.

      Report Post » KStret  
    • KStret
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 5:39pm

      Side bar:
      This is another example of a supposedly objective journalist showing how biased she is. Her article was proposing a strategy to help planned parenthood.

      Report Post » KStret  
    • The_Cabrito_Goat
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 6:30pm

      has anyone ever thought of having a 9-month waiting period on all abortions?

      Report Post » The_Cabrito_Goat  
  • THX-1138
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 11:47am

    Planned Infanticide is an evil group. I hope I live long enough to see them utterly destroyed. If they destroy themselves then all the sweeter…

    Report Post » THX-1138  
  • SalientAlien
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 11:23am

    So an organization that supports the right to kill babies is also one that makes poor decisions? Thanks, Captain Obvious.

    Report Post »  
  • jmmjr49er
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 10:11am

    Campbell Brown is married to Dan Senor – Romney advisor and former George W. Bush advisor.

    Liberal women marry Conservatives – Why you ask? Liberal men are losers!

    Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 10:30am

      So in your mind Warren Buffett and Bill Gates are losers. LOL what does that make you other than a bacteria on the flea, on the tail of the dog. Try for once actually coming to a conclusion or decision based on facts and reality and stop making ideological based pronouncements that define you more than your target.

      Report Post »  
    • CABERNETQHS
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 11:47am

      Rook,
      Having money doesn’t disqualify you from being a loser. Character counts, unless you are a liberal loser.

      Report Post »  
    • jmmjr49er
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:26pm

      JRook,

      You missed the point. You would believe that liberal women like Campbell Brown would marry a fellow liberal man but she knows when rubber hits the road, liberal men run and hide. Liberal men have their testicles placed a in “lock box” by women because they are spineless. Yes, spineless describes most liberal men. See President Obama, VP Biden and Senator Reid – these 3 gentlemen have no core or ability to reason beyond – We are right because a women who said we were smart said so.

      How is “hope and change”?

      Report Post »  
  • suz
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 3:12am

    does campbell want to become a politician?

    if so, her first effort should be to defund planned parenthood. they receive taxpayer dollars which is unconstitutional if you tow a party line. period. crime happens every day right in front of our eyes in this administration.

    abortion is a right. if you need one, pay for it yourself. HOW? the mommy parent tells the daughter, “this is how you don’t get pregnant and if you do and want an abortion, YOU WILL PAY FOR IT OUT OF YOUR OWN POCKET.” this simple action completely disengages PP and renders them WFA.

    Report Post » suz  
    • JRook
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 10:34am

      “They have not endorsed or given one cent to a single Republican who’s running” Of course they should give $30 million to each Presidential candidate like Wall Street. We have the best politicians money can buy. And let’s remember who can afford to buy them. Take 5 mins. to research who lobbies for Food Stamps, DOD spending, Medicare, FDA regulations, EPA regulations and you might learn something about how cowardly CEO’s of major corporations seek to rig the game and block real competition.

      Report Post »  
    • The_Cabrito_Goat
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 10:53am

      Cronie capitalism exists because big government exists. Big government makes it seem too difficult to feed your family, so business owners despair and feel they must go around the rules in order to scrape by.

      Report Post » The_Cabrito_Goat  
  • RAMJR
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:28am

    The pandering will always come to pass. When a movie, book, etc, with someone that knows if who they were stood alone, would fail, like so many current movies from Socialistic Hollywood actors, directors and sources.
    If you listen to key words, the ‘picket fence’ mentality will pick and choose, what benefits them, than stand in who they really are. It is most clearly seen, in my point of view, when some becoming a judge, with a life time term, which is another issue, can be completely silent, and not give a hint who they really are…and still be elected to the highest position a judge in America can have.
    Same as Republicans or Democrats, majority of the time, that switch Parties, year in and year out, to keep their job.
    Fraud, double talk, double standards and values…and of course, the source of ‘Politico’ or Huffington Post as a source. Thanks Hope, Change & Forward!

    Report Post »  
  • Verceofreason
    Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:22am

    Brown’s statements make absolutely ZERO SENSE.
    why would any SANE organization support any politician that admitted
    they want to end or cut PP’s funding?
    What sense does that make.
    Like GAY Republicans.

    Report Post » Verceofreason  
    • Rickfromillinois
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 8:21am

      As she said, because they get 1/2 of their funding from the Federal Government and someday the Republicans will take over the Senate again. Not all Republicans are conservatives just as not all Republicans are against pro-choice even if they don’t advertise it. I am not saying that those Republicans are right or wrong, I am just stating a fact. She made a valid point. If you rely on Federal Funding it is stupid not to get as many people in Congress on your side as possible. Frankly I am glad that Planned Parenthood is ticking off so many politicians. I don’t think that we should be giving them a single dime.

      Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
    • The_Cabrito_Goat
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 10:51am

      If planned parenthood was not on the government teat, they could never survive in most states.

      Once we “allocate” their funding elsewhere, then we can no longer be accused of “WAR ON WIMINZ DURRR” but most importantly, the next generation can have more members to be a part of it.

      This is why the free market is our friend.

      Report Post » The_Cabrito_Goat  
  • begreen
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 11:52pm

    Margaret Sanger Founder of Planned Parenthood belived in population control. began her work to control population and eventually founded Planned Parenthood. Sanger was a huge force behind development of the birth-control pill, and Planned Parenthood would become the biggest supporter — and provider — of abortion. She was also a Rosicrucian: the member of an occult organization that some date back to those Druidic and before that Babylonian times.
    There is no coincidence in the dark link. In days of old witches provided birth control and abortion as midwives through the use of herbs and later chemical potions and drugs. This was especially true in the Middle Ages, after Europe was scourged by bubonic plague.

    Somewhere, in the timeline, in the dark underside of population control, was the call of the witches. They go back to ancient Druids, and their practice of stirring potions or using drugs to hex or poison rivals was called “pharmakeia.” It calls forth too now in an election

    Report Post »  
    • Chet Hempstead
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:22am

      begreen
      Were you there? If not, how do you know that any of the midwives murdered by the religious and civil authorities were actually witches?

      Report Post »  
  • OneShotPagan
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 11:51pm

    Is this the same person who had the very public, on-air breakdown when Sarah Palin was nominated for the VP slot last time around? The one who never recovered?

    Report Post » OneShotPagan  
  • Tim Law
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 11:46pm

    PP is one of the evil one’s most effective tools, around 56 million soul’s not born into the world and many many millions more will burn for supporting the Murders of unborn children! There is time to repent, but it grows short! Repent and stop the murder. God have mercy on all that believe and repent!

    Report Post »  
  • commonsenseguy
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:13pm

    this left wing baby killer better watch out because george soros and his commie minions will soon be looking for a horse to behead and have it delivered to cambells bed asap, soros does not like it when one of his own calls out another one of his many commie organizations

    Report Post »  
  • Sharon Rose
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 9:45pm

    Another nobody lib.

    Report Post »  
  • SamIamTwo
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 9:29pm

    Planned Parenthood was originally aimed at the black people. Crazy people trying to control the population of the poor black people. jimho

    Report Post » SamIamTwo  
    • Verceofreason
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:23am

      Immigrants.
      On the lower east side.
      Italians and Jews.

      Report Post » Verceofreason  
    • Chet Hempstead
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:24am

      Who cares? Planned Parenthood today minds their own business and provides medical services to anyone who seeks them.

      Report Post »  
    • thibx
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 11:09am

      and the black panthers are to stupid to know this.

      Report Post »  
    • The_Cabrito_Goat
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 2:59pm

      Yes, blacks, Italians and Jews, all of them together. Thank you for adding them, Verce.

      Report Post » The_Cabrito_Goat  
  • theninthplanet
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 9:22pm

    I wouldn’t hold my breathe for death to kill itself, that would be too easy.

    Report Post » theninthplanet  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 9:12pm

    I would be tolerant of PP if they received zero tax dollars.

    I would also be more tolerant of PP if they behaved like all other religions…

    Report Post » Stoic one  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 9:28pm

      And how many other religions sacrifice children on the altars?

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 9:46pm

      kaydeebeau
      I think that was the point.

      Report Post » dmerwin  
    • dmerwin
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 9:48pm

      Anytime you have liberals at odds with liberals is a good day.

      Report Post » dmerwin  
    • marine249
      Posted on July 17, 2012 at 10:48pm

      @DMERWIN

      I agree. But watch the funny thing
      in the other left hand.

      Report Post »  
    • Verceofreason
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:24am

      When did PP become a religion.
      What sense does your post make?

      Report Post » Verceofreason  
  • chips1
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 9:07pm

    Planned Parenthood does in fact deviate slightly in their views. They didn’t come out and defend Zimmerman.

    Report Post »  
    • Verceofreason
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 12:26am

      Why would PP even involve itself in the Zimmerman case?
      Can you post a link.
      That makes no sense.

      Report Post » Verceofreason  
    • The_Cabrito_Goat
      Posted on July 18, 2012 at 10:47am

      Hah, I think I get it. Planned parenthood has roots and origins so racist it makes Deliverence Alabama during reconstruction look like San Franscisco.

      So if a black man (trayvon) is killed, which was the original intent of Margaret Sangers PP, then they should be happy about it. But I haven’t heard them make a statement about this Zimmerman debacle, so yeah.

      Report Post » The_Cabrito_Goat  
  • ccprotect
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 9:04pm

    future operators of american gas chambers.

    Report Post » ccprotect  
  • pavepaws
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 9:01pm

    Campbell Brown vs Planned Parenthood. Lose-lose.

    Report Post »  
  • Stu D. Baker-Hawk
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 8:56pm

    Pooh-ee on Campbell Brown… too little, too late, missy. As for the members of Planned Parenthood: How ’bout we cut all of you up into little pieces (while you’re still alive, mind you), vacuum your body parts into one big, collective, bloody mess, and toss the lot of your remains into a landfill for the rats and roaches to fight over? Sound horrific? Now do THAT to a baby! I hope you all get yours in spades! MURDERERS!!

     
  • eddie333
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 8:55pm

    Nothing but blood money, money earned through the killing of innocent, God-breathed life.

    Anyone from either party who knowingly accepts PP money will never get my vote.

    Report Post » eddie333  
  • carkrueger
    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 8:42pm

    Do Republicans want any backing from Planned Parenthood. Brown doesn’t understand conservatives in the least. While PP is correctly categorized as Ideological, so is the conservative movement. I don’t want Pro-Choice politicians who are funded by PP – that’s the kiss of death for a Republican. How could Brown be so naive?

    Report Post »  

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