president is going to have probably another couple of appointments during the course of his term, and roe vor sus wade is probably hanging in the balance. >>ed to at a rally in tampa, florida, the president alluded to mourdock when he laid out the stakes for women in this election. let's listen here. >> by the way, while we're at it, as we saw again this week, i don't think any politician in washington, most of whom are male, should be making health care decisions for women. >> teri o'neil, i want to go with you first. we have a person who is an expert on this topic. thanks for coming on for the national organization for women. it is for women. >> it is for women. >> not just of women but it is for women. let's all talk about the cause. you get a guy like todd akin come along and said that rape is not really rape because you can't trust a woman. why would a woman claim rape? why would you do this anyway? number two, because only unless you outlaw abortion except in case of rape would it ever come up. only in his crazy world would it even be an issue. this other guy coming along and trying

he wants to sign a bill that would overturn roe v. wade. he's on the record because he says so. >> anybody voting out there, man or woman, who cares about these rights issues, you don't vote on somebody's right. you ought to know these things. everybody i think will by the time we vote. lily ledbetter, an honor to have you on the show. >> i thank you. >> and joan walsh, of course. coming up, the big dog and the boss hit the campaign trail together. i think that might be fun in ohio. while the president is courting women, bill clinton and bruce springsteen were in ohio going after what you might call white blue collar people like where i came from. >>> also, prospects for the democrats holding the senate are brightening. we have some real brand new poll numbers that suggest the democrats may just hold onto this senate after all. one state where they face an uphill battle is nebraska where bob kerrey, great old bob kerrey, is hoping for a comeback. he's coming here in a minute. >>> both presidential candidates will be at the al smith dinner i

he is firmly against roe v. wade. that's clear. he said he would sign legislation to overturn it. and funding for planned parenthood, he wants to put bosses in charge of contraception. >> planned parenthood, you don't have to be rabidly pro choice to -- >> you said something very smart. i just met you tonight. it's an honor to meet you. you said, it's not the republican party. it's the new right wing thing. >> it's not. it's an extremist party that i hope if they are defeated big time this time, true republicans will come and take it back. it's so dangerous to have one of our two great parties controlled by extremists. >> it's vaguely sexist. you look fabulous at any age. >> i don't want that. >> this is "hardball," the place for politics from boca raton for the final presidential debate. . if your tv were a hot dog zeebox would be some sort of fancy, french mustard. when they magically unite, people would think, "woah, this two dollar hot dog tastes like a fancy eight dollar hot dog." download zeebox free, and say "woah" every time you watch tv. ♪ [ female announcer ] pop in a

what does he think of roe versus wade? >> do i believe the supreme court should overturn roe v. wade? yes, i do. >> clear, right? how about the largest abortion provider in the united states, which also happens to be the largest provider of women's health care in the united states, that's planned parenthood. what does mitt romney want to do there? >> planned parenthood, we're going to get rid of that. >> and on that one, the romney campaign sometimes tries to complain about that sound bite. going to get rid of planned parenthood, whenever anybody uses it. but on his campaign website, it says right there in black and white, he's going to get rid of planned parenthood. it has a priority of his. he told "the des moines register" that he has no specific legislation in mind at all that he would use to go after women's health rights or access to abortion. no specific legislation in mind at all. well, here's the pledge that he signed and put forth as an op-ed on the "national review" online last year. detailing specific named anti-abortion legislation that he would advocate for and sup

, he will appoint justices that overturn roe versus wade. >> we'll be right back. campbell's healthy request soup lets you hear it... in your heart. [ basketball bouncing ] heart healthy. great taste. mmm... [ male announcer ] sounds good. it's amazing what soup can do. nah. [ dennis' voice ] i bet he's got an allstate agent. they can save you up to 30% more by bundling ur policies. well his dog's stupid. [ dennis' voice ] poodles are one of the world's smartest breeds. are you in good hands? >>> you can actually start to feel the nervousness. is there something really wrong with this campaign? deedee meyers, old friend, you've been through some tough ones and bumps in the road and you've gotten through them with their boss, president clinton. you've been through local politics in san francisco. where are we now, a bump in the road or a real ditch the campaign's in looking at these numbers? >> it's a bump in the road. the fundamentals of this race haven't changed. the electoral college map, it's a fact it's a harder road for mitt romney than barack obama. as long a

would be his national policy as clearly as we know the policy of the entire ticket would be to overturn roe v. wade and make abortion illegal. >> if the ticket is elected should those who believe that abortion should remain legal be worried? >> we don't think that unelected judges should make this decision, that people, through their elected representatives in reaching a consensus in society for the democratic process

that means filling the supreme court with judges that will dump roe v. wade. it will mean the end of health care and all of the good things that came with it and whatever combination of this that mitt decides on after the election. it will certainly mean a lot of what he promised, and being severely conservative. if that's not enough to scare you, you must not be part of the 47%. and that's "hardball" for now. thanks for being with us. "the ed show" with ed sh

of mitt romney's abortion position. >> seeing this from mitt romney, then take a look at this. >> if roe v. wade was overturned congress passed a federal ban on all abortions and it came to your desk would you sign it? yes or no? >> let me say it, i'd be delighted to sign that bill. >> banning all abortions? >> i'd be delighted to sign that bill. >> trying to mislead us, that's wrong. but ban all abortions? only if you vote for him. >> this is the seventh ad that the obama campaign put out on this subject. what you saw at the beginning of the ad, what they're referencing there when they say see this, right? what they're references there, is that for the first time, even though the obama campaign has been hammering them on this issue all year long, for the first time, the romney campaign, the other side, has finally put out one of its own ads defending mr. romney on this issue. sort of defending him. >> you know, those ads saying mitt romney would ban all abortions and contraceptions seemed a bit extreme. so i looked into it. turns out, romney doesn't oppose contraception at all. in fact,

. >> he had one chance to confirm a supreme court justice to uphold roe versus wade. he voted no. >> i'm very disappointed. >> the brown campaign hit back with an ad featuring his wife. >> i'm gail huff. i want to talk to you about those untrue ads attacking my husband, scott brown. it's sad that elizabeth warren and her supporters are avoiding the issues like jobs and the economy. i want to set the record straight. scott brown is pro-choice. >> the question is, does he vote for pro-choice judges who desight this thing. >> that's the question. you notice she didn't speak to that in that commercial. >> what's moving up there, the mayor? >> the mayor has a great get out the vote operation and eats got a lot of credibility in boston and he's certainly working hard on her behalf, and it's going to be a very close election, but i expect that she's going to win, elizabeth warren is going to prevail. >> senator, it's interesting. you tend to be a moderate, middle of the roader. scott brown may be the last of the middle of the roaders left of necessity. >> i'm sort of cheerin

roe v. wade wasn't reversed. >> you know, those ads saying mitt romney would ban all abortions and contraception seemed a bit extreme, so i looked into it. turns out romney doesn't oppose contraception at all. in fact, he thinks abortion should be an option in cases of rape, incest, or to save a mother's life. this issue is important to me, but i'm more concerned about the debt our children will be left with. i voted for president obama last time, but we just can't afford four more years. >> i don't know who that actor is. that woman. i wish i could have talked to her and said no one ever said -- no one on this planet said that romney was going to outlaw contraception. stop fighting a straw man. you're being dishonest to women out there. the issue is whether your insurance policy should cover it and who gets to decide whether it does or not. a legitimate discussion. but to say there's been an accusation, somebody is going to outlaw contraception and birth control which hasn't been outlawed s

yes, they'd like to repeal roe v. wade and declare victory there, but they'd love it if california and new york still had abortion legal because then they could continue the fight. they could plant their victory flag and still raise money to overturn abortion in california and a few other states. >> maybe too close to you. alex, your thoughts about the court appointments because that's something when people go to vote in a couple weeks, that's an active thing to think about. >> it's been one of the most underdiscussed things. the fact the necessary press will be appointing justices to the supreme court in a season when the supreme court is handing down landmark legislation. the ramifications of romney's choices on the bench versus obama's will last for a lifetime. >> solid thinking again from alex wagner and rob ron reagan. -coming up, all about joe. if his goal was to fire up the base, he sure did it. did he move the numbers? >>> also, if you think last night was in your face, check out this debate. i guess you can c

court that will follow the law and the constitution and it would be my preference that they reverse roe v. wade, therefore they return to the people and their elected representatives the decisions with regards to this important issue. >> cecile richards, as an expert and advocate, what do we make of this complete divide between what romney is saying these days about health care, about preexisting conditions, about abortion rights, something you care very much about, and what he's been saying for months, if not years? >> i think what we're -- i think what we're seeing, chris -- sorry, i lost the audio. i think what we're seeing is mitt romney, one, will say anything to get elected. he's been trying to muddy the waters on women's issues. it's clear and you made it clear, he has pledged to appoint judges to the supreme court that would overturn roe versus wade. this is has been a constitutional protection for nearly 40 years for women. get rid of planned parenthood, so the 3 million women that rely on us, and get rid of obama care, which has several protections in it for women, including w

that's how close roe v. wade is. just ask yourself with robert bork being the chief adviser on the court for mr. romney, who do you think he's likely to appoint? someone like scalia or someone else on the court far right that would outlaw abortion?

he's announced it's a personal goal of his to get rid of roe v. wade. i suppose he could rely on the dodge that he won't do that, it will be the supreme court justices he appoints who ultimately do that, but clearly that's the goal. does anybody in their right mind think that mitt romney isn't going to appoint two, maybe three, supreme court justices if he's elected and that those supreme court justices will have as a litmus test for their being nominated that they are going to overturn roe v. wade? >> you're right on three points, michael is wrong on all three. thank you. we gave you a couple deuces and -- a bad night for you. you had a bad hand. when we return, some of the incredible pictures and reporting from hurricane sandy. i grew up in on the jersey shore. this is "hardball," the place for politics. [ male announcer ] in blind taste tests, even ragu users chose prego. prego?! but i've bought ragu for years. [ thinking ] wonder what other questionable choices i've made? i choose date number 2! whooo! [ sigh of relief ] [ male announcer ] choose ta

were heard in this court, the vote, we think, would likely be a 5-4 decision to keep roe versus wade, to protect a woman's right to have an abortion. if the makeup of the court changes by one justice, though, it would be about five seconds before conservatives got a case challenging roe into the court, once they were sure that the ruling would be 4-5 instead of 5-4. with four supreme court justices over the age of 70, whoever becomes president is likely to be able to appoint at least one new supreme court justice. and if it is a republican president, he will appoint nominees who will definitely vote to overturn roe versus wade. and abortion will then, immediately become a criminal act at the state level and every state that's willing to do that. and we know republicans will immediately try to ban it federally as well. they have been trying that for a very along time, including multiple times in this congress. what the republican party is fighting about now is not whether the government should be able to force women to bear children against their will. they totally agree that that is

that means filling the supreme court with judges that will dump roe v. wade. it will mean the end of health care and all of the good things that came with it and whatever combination of this that mitt decides on after the election. it will

paul ryan broke new ground on saying how and why he and mitt romney would overturn roe v. wade and make abortion criminal. his issue on rape in particular has people going nuts today for obvious reasons. we'll be covering that in future shows. joe biden also dipped paul ryan in tar and rolled him in feathers on the issue of the stimulus. and mr. ryan's supposed principles on that issue. we talked about that moments ago with chris hayes. but there are two things that i think are hugely important to the presidential campaign that happened last night. two things that i, frankly, never thought we would get to. and that we got to and, boy, howdy, is this new territory. first was this. >> you asked, do i feel free? let me put it to you this way. i earned capital in the campaign, political capital and now i intend to spend it. it is my style. that's what happened in, after the 2000 election. i earned some capital. i've earned capital in this election, and i'm going to spend it for what i told the people i'd spend it on. which is you've heard the agenda. social security and -- >>

he is firmly against roe v. w e wade. that's clear. he said he would sign legislation. >> terrific. >> marvelous. wonderful. >> overthrow planned parenthood. >> and funding for planned parenthood. he wants to put bosses in charge of contraception. >> what about programs like planned parenthood, you don't have to be rabidly pro-choice -- >> it was part of him trying to win over the conservatives in this election. and you can't take positions -- >> you said something very claire and i just met you tonight, it's not the republican party. it's this new right wing thing. >> it's not. it is an extremist party that i hope if they're defeated big time this time true republicans, centrist republicans will come and take it back. it's so dangerous to have one of our great parties -- >> can i say something that's vaguely sexist, if you're older than me you look fabulous at any age. fabulous. >> well you look fabulous, too. >> i don't want that. i don't want that. i'm just glad i got to meet you. gloria steinem and stephanie cutter. i'll hear about

. >> if roe v. wade was overturned, congress passed a federal ban and it came your desk, would you sign it? >> i would be delighted to the sign it. >> he goes further to say it would be terrific if he could sign it. i would say that's a declarative statement. he wants to outlaw abortion and, by the way, reading his party platform, he wants to criminalize it. you're creating a murderous situation on the books. i don't know what they're talking about with parenthood and all this if it isn't to criminalize it for the woman as well as the doctor. that's the most extreme ticket we have ever seen on this issue i can remember. lilly ledbetter, your thoughts. >> absolutely. >> that's a direct statement. >> that is a brazen ad, chris. that ad is a brazen ad that he -- >> i lived in this area for 40 years now. i know so many people who lived over in arlington, northern virginia, bedroom communities, they work in washington, a lot of them are single. they're very keen on knowing this stuff. >> that's why the o

to admit that and romney comes on and gives that blah, blah, blah about all we'll do is get rid of roe v. wade and throw it back to the states. then they're for outlawing it in the constitution. >> right. >> they want it in the constitution. >> right. this is an issue where romney actually is not completely in sync with the party plat form and i suspect if this does come up, that will be one of his pushbacks, but romney, remember -- >> ryan is. >> ryan is more conservative than romney. >> ryan support the personhood amendment. >> yes. and ryan actually said something in the debate last week with joe biden that i suspect you will hear more of. joe biden has been pushing it on the trail, which was about abortion rights. i think this is going to be something where the president is going to -- >> i'm sorry, maggie, you're missing a point. >> tell me. >> i missed it, too. eric fehrnstrom, andrea saul did the same thing, the same damn thing, romney said that he doesn't have any legislation dealing with abortion. she comes out and says he's pro-life. >> and the next day romney went back and s