Posted on 02/07/2010 2:47:33 PM PST by Star Traveler
By Ron Chimelis, The Republican
February 07, 2010, 4:34PM
As I address Sunday's controversial Super Bowl commercial, you will not read my views on abortion.
I recommend and humbly request you not try to read between the lines. More than likely, you'll guess wrong.
I am even purposely avoiding divisive labels like "pro-life'' or "pro-choice.'' People don't pick up the sports page to hear my views on this subject.
But I have one question both sides can consider. Did it make any difference?
Or was $4 million spent to confirm what what one side already believes deeply, while changing the deep beliefs of no one on the other?
I am skeptical that anybody's opinion on abortion will be altered by a Super Bowl commercial.
This one featured the story of quarterback Tim Tebow, whose mother declined an abortion and delivered him after a very difficult pregnancy in 1987.
The ad was reportedly paid primarily through donations, specifically earmarked for it. The sponsoring group, Focus on The Family, is said to have kicked in $1 million.
This ad does not sell a product, it sells a profound moral conclusion. As celebrity endorsements go, it is unprecedented, and Tebow has as many or more people cheering his unflinching stance as there are protesting CBS's decision to run it.
The average Super Bowl spot tells us, "Buy our car.''
This ad says, "Believe what we do.'' Its effect can't be measured by next month's sales.
But kids watch the Super Bowl. Many admire Tebow, and convincing the next generation is crucial to the spot's advocates.
Still, I remember the 1980s, when I did political talk radio at a now-defunct station in Holyoke.
The abortion debates were never discussions, but competing diatribes. Nobody had any interest in listening to the other side.
That is why I wonder if Tebow's ad was worth it, even looking at it from its sponsors' point of view.
When I did radio, those on what is now "the Tebow side'' told me their purpose was to keep the issue alive.
They were awaiting a different day, when the political climate might change. Time proved their point; polls indicate their side has gained significant support.
Surveys show a majority favors CBS' decision to run the ad. Some opposing pundits, notably Jimmy Kimmel, have hurt their own cause by ridiculing it.
That sort of disrespect for an opposing view almost always boomerangs in the face of the ridiculers.
Public opinion can change. So, from the sponsors' point of view, maybe this was an astute investment.
But I still wonder if the biggest problem with the ad is that it was money spent to no avail.
I wonder if $4 million, which could have been spent in other moral ways, will influence anyone's opinion, as a commercial is intended to do.
The sheer blind opposition to the ad speaks volumes and alerts “we, the people” of the evil faced by this county in abortion on demand, and they demand and demand!
I’ve seen it, or at least I assume it’s the commercial in question, numerous times during the CBS pre-game shows. Pretty subdued and innocuous, Mom loves son, son hugs Mom, show a URL. All it really does is point the viewer to a web site. Not likely to influence anyone, IMHO.
Well, thanks to all of its detractors, every one knows what the ad is about and that Tim Tebow is anti-abortion and every kid in America now knows that it is okay to be a superstar and take a stand for what is right. So, yes, it will have an effect.
I think it will help girls who are pregnant and on the bubble make the right choice for life.
Ir won’t convince the hateful shrews on the left.
How does he know? Has he seen it?
I thought the idea was to celebrate life and the love between a mother and her son and the idea that, because she bore him, he turned into what Tim is today?
How do you "sell" life and love?
I think that all the blind and hateful attacks on this ad have given it far more publicity than the ad itself would ever have received. Yes, I think it might well influence quite a few people.
It's ignorant to think minds and hearts aren't changed on the subject.
If all this does is exposed the hypocrisy of the left and their real agenda that is a victory.
The pro life position has as much right to be heard as the pro killing/pro abort position.
God bless Tim and his mom. And I tip my hat to CBS for airing this.
Yes, it will influenece many to not have an abortion.......especially the guys who might pressure a girl to have one.
There’s a second one to air during the game.
Well, I’m headed over (the other room) to watch the game, I hope it goes okay (i.e., that ad and the conversation regarding it... ).
I’m “out” for a while... :-)
Is it worth it?
How much is “life” worth?
Small price to pay if it influences even one person.
More and more people each year believe abortions should be restricted. If no one could be swayed, these numbers would stay the same.
This add seems to address one of the main objections and that is following the medical professions recommendations.
Further proof that it does change perceptions is the level of anger that NARAL members have over this ad. If it was of no consequence they would not devote their efforts to defeating it.
... belief systems (mostly bad) have been subtly embedded in advertising for years ...there was a lot written about in the 50’s (subliminal advertising), then we got so desensitized, we forgot about it, for the most part ..
... I think the $4 million is well spent because
... just the fact of it, without anyone seeing it, has put CBS and the media in a bind ...any criticism has backfired ..
... Tebow is perhaps the most powerful advocate for the the good guys in the world today ... the viewership will be huge ..
... the after effects will be massively damaging to the pro choice folks, no matter what they do ..
That’s what I hear as well.
... ad was just on(just after the field goal, 6:43 est ...
I just saw the ad.
I believe the lefty proabortion crowd called themselves out on this one. I think it will have an impact.
Not to mention he admitted to being a virgin.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.