It wasn't the first or last time John McCain failed to have command of the facts or even knowledge of his past positions on an issue, but when a reporter asked him on July 9th about birth control John McCain was dumbfounded.
Sitting on the back of the "Straight Talk Express," the reporter wondered about McCain's position on requiring companies who cover prescriptions for Viagra to also provide coverage for birth control, an issue of fundamental fairness for women's health advocates. In fact, the reporter referred to comments by a McCain adviser earlier in the week suggesting that the Arizona Republican supported measures to force fair coverage by insurance companies.
McCain said, "I certainly don't want to talk about that issue."
When pressed about his voting record, McCain could not recall how he voted. Staring off into space, McCain responded, "I'll look at my voting record on it ... but I have uhh ... I don't recall the vote right now, but I'll be happy to get back to you [trails off]..."
When pressed further by the same reporter on the fairness of allowing insurance companies to cover Viagra and not birth control, McCain stroked his chin, bulged his eyes impatiently and, after a several seconds-long pause, said, "I don't know enough about it to give you a [sic] informed answer." He cited the thousands of votes he has cast in the Senate as the cause of his mental lapse.
A moment later, McCain added, "It's not something I've thought much about."
Here's the voting record. Sen. McCain has voted against requiring insurance companies to cover birth control.
In 2003, McCain voted no on the Murray/Reid Amendment (S.Amdt 258 to S. 3, vote 45, 3/11/03), which would have improved the availability of contraceptives for women and required insurance coverage of prescription birth control if the insurance companies covered other prescriptions.
In 2005, McCain voted no on the Clinton/Reid amendment to FY’06 Budget Resolution (S. Amdt 244 to S.Con.Res.18, 3/17/05). It included a requirement for contraceptive equity in health insurance plans.
Again in 2007, on the back of the "Straight Talk Express," McCain confessed to not knowing his position on government funding for birth control or even whether or not he believed condoms prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
"Obviously, we all want to stop the spread of AIDS. Everybody wants to do that. What's the most viable way of doing that?" he seemed to be asking the reporters for the answer. "Whether I support government funding for them or not, I don't know," he concluded.
Needless to say, McCain's habit of uninformed responses prompted a swift reaction from women's health organizations and reproductive choice groups. This week Planned Parenthood Action Fund launched a TV ad titled, "McCain Out of Touch on Birth Control."
The TV ad is part of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s “kNOw McCain” campaign to educate voters about John McCain’s anti-choice and anti-women’s health care record.
"John McCain is out of touch when it comes to women's health care," said Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. "Birth control is basic health care for women. But, John McCain ducked a straightforward question about whether he thinks insurance companies should cover birth control, like they do Viagra.”
The ad is aimed at educating women who are influential voices in their community.
“The more women know about John McCain, they more they see that he is out of touch on women’s health care,” said Richards. “This ad is a powerful visual showing women that John McCain has no answer when it comes to protecting women’s health.”
The TV ad will air on the season premiere of Project Runway, one of Bravo TV’s highest rated shows; Lifetime’s top-rated show, Army Wives, as well as The Oprah Winfrey Show in select markets. The TV ad will air in key battleground states, including Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, New Mexico, Ohio, and Wisconsin, as well as Washington, DC.
