A misleading robocall in Georgia uses polarizing language about abortion to target Democrats in two key races
An automated robocall made three years ago by the Susan G. Komen Foundation to encourage women to donate to Planned Parenthood in Georgia has attracted renewed scrutiny about the effectiveness of the organization. The Komen Foundation, which raises money for breast cancer screenings and other causes, started a robocall campaign in 2017 to urge women in Georgia to attend Planned Parenthood. The call was made on an automated number, and the response rate was 50%.
It’s a curious campaign. The only people being reached are those who have agreed to receive it. And it’s designed to play to women’s desires for “personalized” political messages.
The Susan G. Komen Foundation’s public relations firm and Georgia Planned Parenthood are well aware of these facts. But the Komen Foundation continues to call on women in Georgia to participate in its robocall, despite their knowledge of the data that shows Planned Parenthood has received many donations. In 2018, Planned Parenthood had made more than $300,000 in contributions to candidates or political campaigns as part of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. In fact, Planned Parenthood has given $3.6 million over the past four years to causes through Komen’s Planned Parenthood Action Fund, which has endorsed and co-sponsored legislative candidates in several states.
Georgia Planned Parenthood says this is true, and the organization has repeatedly told its state members to give Planned Parenthood $5 instead of the $50 Planned Parenthood recommends.
What’s the Komen Foundation thinking?
The Komen Foundation has gone on the attack against Planned Parenthood, and the reason is not hard to find. Planned Parenthood is an abortion provider, but Komen has decided to associate the organization with all women.
Komen’s robocall campaign has been called “an egregious attempt to politicize the issue of funding for Planned Parenthood,” according to Planned Parenthood. Komen’s anti-Planned Parenthood campaign does not promote sexual education or preventative health care as Planned Parenthood does. Komen’s call does not encourage women to seek routine, preventive care such as Pap smears for
