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NARAL hits McCain

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor October 21, 2008 11:32 AM


NARAL's political action committee is trying to capitalize on John McCain's "Viagra moment" for its first direct mail piece of the campaign.

In July, McCain was asked about a supposed disparity on insurance coverage for contraceptives and for erectile dysfunction drugs.

There was a pregnant pause and a pained look on McCain's face. "I don't know enough about it to give you an informed answer," he finally said. "I don't usually duck an issue."

The mailer (Politico obtained a copy) juxtaposes images of a young woman with her birth control pills ("Not having these pills could change the rest of her life") and an older man ("Having this pill could change his evening"). Another abortion rights political action committee, Planned Parenthood, has also aired a TV ad based on the interview.

But independent fact-checking groups say the premise of the question is flawed because the vast majority of insurance plans do offer the full range of contraceptives.

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