Planned Parenthood has announced that as of 9/27/2008 more than 30,000 persons had donated more than $800,000 to Planned Parenthood "in honor of Sarah Palin." This was the result of a viral email campaign whose origins are apparently unknown (but this email campaign was the subject of several diaries on DKos around 9/24). I heard about the Planned Parenthood announcement, of course, through a viral email. But I haven't seen a diary on this truly amazing contribution total to PP, so am posting this here.
One can only imagine (with considerable glee) the gritting of teeth by Governor Palin and her handlers over this mass response to her promoting her extreme anti-choice views.
The text of the PP press release appears below.
Update #1 - Here's the link to the Planned Parenthood web page to make donations in honor of Sarah Palin (or anyone else): https://secure.ga0.org/...
More than $800,000 Contributed to Planned Parenthood “In Honor of Sarah Palin”
In an effort to answer public and press inquiries regarding a recent viral email seeking donations to Planned Parenthood in honor of Sarah Palin, Planned Parenthood Action Fund released the following statement:
Washington, DC — Call it the ultimate in grassroots activity, a viral email urging people to donate to Planned Parenthood “in honor of Sarah Palin” generated more than 31,313 donations totaling more than three-quarters of a million dollars ($802,678) as of today. With contributions from all 50 states, more than two-thirds of the individuals making a contribution “in honor of Sarah Palin” are first-time Planned Parenthood donors.
“The response to this viral e-mail has been phenomenal, said Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. “I want to personally thank the tens of thousands of individuals who responded. As a trusted health care advocate for millions of women across America, Planned Parenthood knows firsthand the importance of promoting and protecting women’s health and well-being.”
The viral e-mail did not originate with Planned Parenthood, and the origins of the email remain unknown. The e-mail asks individuals who are unhappy with Gov. Palin’s selection as a vice-presidential candidate to donate to Planned Parenthood. The Planned Parenthood website includes a standard webpage where individuals can make a contribution in honor of a person of their choosing.
This is what politics looks like from the bottom up!