ANDREA MITCHELL (HOST): And this is not a new development, I should say, as you know very well that before Planned Parenthood was targeted in this particular way, there have been events, terrorist events over the years, over the decades, against doctors, individual doctors and clinics -- free-standing clinics that provide abortion services. So there has been this movement over the years. But it does seem to be reaching a fever pitch in this campaign season. I was wondering, it was pretty remarkable to note that Planned Parenthood had video cameras in place in Colorado Springs, that the police were able to apprehend the shooter and free many of the hostages while the event was under way because they had real-time video. Obviously you have spent a lot of effort and money on security. 

CECILE RICHARDS: That's correct. Again, we take the security and safety of our patients and our employees as the highest priority and we were really, it's just been extraordinary, both the law enforcement officials in Colorado Springs as well as the staff there in that health center that were able to work together not only to safeguard many of the patients and the employees that were there, but to work with law enforcement using our video equipment so that they could actually follow the shooter and eventually apprehend him without further loss of life. This is something that unfortunately, anyone who provides reproductive health care in this country, not only Planned Parenthood, has to take very seriously today. And it's why again, I would implore people who are putting politics ahead of women's health care and ahead of women's safety to think carefully the rhetoric that you use, that potentially inflames this kind of activity.

Previously:

The Planned Parenthood Attack, And How Homegrown Terrorism Gets Downplayed By The Press

Salon's Digby Slams GOP Candidates' “Lurid, Violent” Anti-Choice Rhetoric In Wake Of Planned Parenthood Shooting

Sunday Shows Let GOP Candidates Get Away With Lies About Planned Parenthood After Deadly Colorado Shooting