Elisabeth Hasselbeck Falsely Claims Planned Parenthood Poll Attacked Carly Fiorina

By News Hounds Priscilla — May 22, 2015

As the mouthpiece for the rabid, anti-choice right wing, Fox News never wastes an opportunity to attack Planned Parenthood. This morning, Elisabeth Hasselbeck continued that fine tradition in asking why Planned Parenthood would dare to say that Carly Fioriana, a woman, would be a threat to women. They didn't - but this is Fox & Friends.

Hasselbeck urged the "ladies" to "listen up" because nasty activists at Planned Parenthood "just conducted a poll asking which presidential candidate poses the, quote, worst threat to women in 2016." The official Fox message was just so clever, clever: " 'Worst' Poll Ever, Planned Parenthood: Is a Woman Bad for Women." Indignantly, she noted that all of the candidates were Republicans and asked "how is a female candidate a threat to women."

She introduced Marjorie Dannenfelser who is President of the rabidly anti-choice Susan B Anthony List and Taryon Rosenkranz, Founder and CEO of New Blue Interactive. Hasselbeck chuckled as she asked "how is this a fair poll if they're not offering anyone but Republican candidates as the worst threat posed to women." (Uh, because Democrats are pro-choice and Republicans, who've been pushing a gazillion anti-choice bills and who want to shut down Planned Parenthood, aren't?)

Dannenfelser opined that the definition of "who is a real woman" is "pretty darned narrow for Planned Parenthood." She brayed about how, by the definition of Planned Parenthood, "you must be abortion centered, you must be abortion up till the end, at taxpayer expense." The banner: "Fiorina Under Fire, Appears on Planned Parenthood 'Threat' Poll." She questioned why the awesome Fiorina would be "bad for women." (Can we talk?) She accused Planned Parenthood of trying to distract from Fiorina's awesomeness.

Rosenkranz kept it real by explaining that the poll was focused on women's health, vis-a-vis GOP candidates and not about Fiorina's feelings about and towards women. The banner claimed, as Fox Fact, that "Planned Parenthood's Biased Poll Backfires" when the only backfire is a concoction of Fox News. She noted that this poll is a way for Planned Parenthood to "start a conversation" and "interact with its supporters."

Hasselbeck said that rather than starting a conversation, Planned Parenthood is trying to "manipulate the conversation" and that some folks don't feel that it's Planned Parenthood's place to do so because they get government funding. (Gee, Elisabeth, I guess colleges shouldn't be doing polling because they get government money!) She cited the amount and shouted about how this is a "huge" amount "funded by the taxpayer" and (IRONY ALERT) "to put out a survey like this seems a little tilted."

Dannenfelser ranted about how "women's health" is a code word for abortion. She said that 20 week abortion bans are very popular, yet, according to Planned Parenthood if you're against that, "you're not for women's health" and "that's why you don't like Carly Fiorina." The banner reinforced the agitp prop: "Planned Parenthood Attacks, Fiorina Targeted in Poll for Pro-Life Stance" - a BIG, FAT FOX LIE.

This is such garbage. Hasselbeck claimed that the poll focused on Carly Fiorina when it showcased GOP presidential candidates, all of whom are virulently anti-choice. Yes, Fiorina is a woman; but when it comes to reproductive rights she clearly does not trust women, as she is not only anti-abortion, but she doesn't support the ACA's birth control mandate. Ergo, a threat to women's health.

This was a cheap shot against Planned Parenthood. But then this is Fox & Friends....

Fiorina was not targeted. Sadly, she is just one of a whole sorry crew of threats!