Last week, a group of young children armed with teddy bears lobbied the Ohio state senate on behalf of a controversial abortion law that would ban the procedure from the moment a heartbeat is detected.

To many in the pro-choice community, the move seemed pretty darn manipulative. But legislators in the senate are also saying it probably backfired.

Via Lez Get Real:

Senator Shirley Smith told the Huffington Post that “I’m not at all supportive of the bill, and I’m not supportive of them sending kids in my office with a teddy bear that mimics a heartbeat, either. I thought that was a very cheap exploitation of kids. I would rather them come in my office and ask to sit down and talk about it, rather than send a kid into my office. I didn’t like it at all — in fact, I didn’t even want the teddy bear.”

Senator Charleta Tavares said “It is an emotional kind of tactic, bringing young children in and having them bring teddy bears. I think that’s a little low. I think on this very emotional and highly charged issue, people have already made up their minds.”

Save the “babies.” Exploit the children.