Tebortion Issue - the first step to the White House

CBS urged to scrap Tebow ad
Associated Press

NEW YORK -- A national coalition of women's groups called on CBS on Monday to scrap its plan to broadcast an ad during the Super Bowl featuring college football star Tim Tebow and his mother, which critics say is likely to convey an anti-abortion message.

"An ad that uses sports to divide rather than to unite has no place in the biggest national sports event of the year -- an event designed to bring Americans together," said Jemhu Greene, president of the New York-based Women's Media Center.

The center was coordinating the protest with backing from the National Organization for Women, the Feminist Majority and other groups.

CBS said it has approved the script for the 30-second ad and has given no indication that the protest would have an impact. A network spokesman, Dana McClintock, said CBS would ensure that any issue-oriented ad was "appropriate for air."

The ad -- paid for by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family -- is expected to recount the story of Pam Tebow's pregnancy in 1987 with a theme of "Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life." After getting sick during a mission trip to the Philippines, she ignored a recommendation by doctors to abort her fifth child and gave birth to Tim, who went on to win the 2007 Heisman Trophy while helping his Florida team to two BCS championships.

The controversy over the ad was raised Sunday when Tebow met with reporters in Mobile, Ala., before beginning preparations for next weekend's Senior Bowl.

"I know some people won't agree with it, but I think they can at least respect that I stand up for what I believe," Tebow said. "I've always been very convicted of it [his views on abortion] because that's the reason I'm here, because my mom was a very courageous woman. So any way that I could help, I would do it."

Thirty-second commercials during the Super Bowl are selling for $2.5 million to $2.8 million. Gary Schneeberger, a spokesman for Focus on the Family, said funds for the Tebow ad were donated by a few "very generous friends" and did not come from the group's general fund.

Schneeberger said he and his colleagues "were a little surprised" at the furor over the ad.

"There's nothing political and controversial about it," he said. "When the day arrives, and you sit down to watch the game on TV, those who oppose it will be quite surprised at what the ad is all about."

I could have called this one. Its Step One in the march to the White House for future President Tebow. The country is swept up in a lot of anti-left, anti-Obama furor right now and its the right time for Tebow to make an initial impact in his undeniable ascension up the political ladder. Forget the fact that he's carrying on this dimly lit dream of being an NFL star. He'll make the league and be shifted to h-back within weeks of training camp starting. Then he'll go through the motions for a year or two before he's off to run for Florida State Senate. Then maybe the U.S. House, then Governor of Florida, then President.

As for the ad itself, I'll take Gary Schneeberger's word for it that this won't ruffle too many pro choice feathers. I think the outrage from women's groups is more because the pro lifers are using the biggest TV event of the year to spread part of their message. I just wish Mrs. Tebow realized that while it took great courage and conviction for her to make her decision, there are women on the other side of the issue who have shown great conviction and courage as well.